Zaida Yates (Dory) leads Marshall Johnson (Marlin) through the auditorium during rehearsal for the Old Colony Players’ production of ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’
In the Old Colony Players’ production of “Finding Nemo Jr., performers don’t just use the stage — they use the whole auditorium.
After a kerfuffle between Marlin (Marshall Johnson) and Dory (Zaida Yates) where Dory is whacked in the nose, her nose starts to bleed, setting off Bruce (Molly Collinson) the shark’s instincts during a Fish-Friendly Sharks support group meeting.
A wild look comes into Molly’s eyes and suddenly she goes bananas, chasing Marshall and Zaida off the stage and across the front of the auditorium, up close and personal with the front row of seats.
Zaida Yates (Dory) leads Marshall Johnson (Marlin) through the auditorium during rehearsal for the Old Colony Players’ production of ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’
LISA PRICE / THE PAPER
And that’s just one part of the show. The actors perform in various parts of the auditorium all throughout the musical adaptation of Pixar’s 2003 animated feature.
Old Colony Players Executive Director Corie Schreiber said shows with “Jr.” tacked on are for actors between the ages of 0 and 18 — no adults allowed.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” is Schreiber’s third show as executive director. The most rewarding part has been watching the young actors grow in their confidence, she said.
When Madden Poteet auditioned for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” she was extremely shy and her voice was barely audible, Schreiber said. Madden still played a small role in the Christmas show, though.
Now, she is front and center playing Nemo, and her voice was audible even without a microphone.
Madden Poteet (Nemo) sings during Tuesday’s rehearsal of ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’ at Old Rock School in Valdese.
LISA PRICE photos / THE PAPER
“She sings a song (in Finding Nemo) about, ‘where’s my dad, that’s my dad,’ and I just sit there (like),” Schreiber said, then imitated sobbing tears of pride. “‘My babies!’ And I’m crying.”
Schreiber said the production is not like the movie word-for-word and is enjoyable for those who have seen the film and those who have not.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” debuts on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Rock School in Valdese. There will also be performances on Jan. 20 and 31 at 7:30 p.m., then on Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online. Adults pay $20, and seniors 60 and older pay $17. Students (18 and younger or valid with student ID) can get in for $14, and groups for 10 or more receive special pricing. Call 828-522-1150 to learn about special pricing. Tickets are nonrefundable.
Mica Banks is the County Government reporter for The Paper. She can be reached at 828-445-8595 or mica@thepaper.media.
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