Harris Hill Elementary School Dives into ‘Disney's Finding Nemo JR.’

Students at Harris Hill Elementary School dived into an underwater world of music and dance as they put their creative efforts into staging “Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.” for the community.

“The students have really stepped up and worked as a team, and they understand everybody's role is super important,” said Marissa DeVoe, a music teacher at the show who has directed the musical. “Without everyone working together, this wouldn't be possible.”

Students performed the show on Thursday, April 3 for younger students in the school, leading into a sold-out audience on Friday, April 4, followed by performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Tickets for the show can be purchased at https://cur8.com/schedule/item/25236/353068?event=130664&date=353068&action=buy.

The musical production, which builds on the beloved film, tells the story of Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean.

Turning the 65 fourth and fifth grade students into a school of fish, turtles, squid and other marine wildlife performers began in January, with students working individually and in small groups before working together to piece together the story. New this year was a 15-student stage crew, which helped build the sets before turning their attention to audio and visual technical elements of the show.

“It really teaches the students to take something that's really big and to shrink it down to their small part before putting it back together with everybody,” DeVoe said. “Seeing the growth from January to April from where we started to where we are now was incredible.”

DeVoe said students involved in the production gained a wide range of academic benefits through their work.

“It not only pushes them outside of their comfort zone, but it pushes them to be better students and learners and people,” DeVoe said. “They're learning skills to build confidence and work with others and develop patience.”

Other staff at the school who led the students through the months-long production were Assistant Directors Kate Kleismit and Lara Eyrick, along with Christine Rich-Reese and Nadyne James. 

The show coincides with the school’s Night of the Arts on Friday, and student artwork will remain on display for the Saturday shows.