Shen Elementary ‘Finding Nemo Kids’ All Access

(Shenandoah) –Things are going “swimmingly” for some KMAland students in an upcoming production.

Second through 4th graders involved in the district’s K-8 afterschool program are gearing up for the production of “Finding Nemo Kids” taking place Friday and Saturday evenings at 7. Julie Murren directs a cast of 55 students, and is backed by a crew of middle school and high school students, and some adults. Murren tells KMA News “Finding Nemo Kids” is a shorter musical version of the well-known Disney movie and Broadway musical.

“The appeal of this show, in particular, is that it had a large cast with many roles featured,” said Murren. “So, I have a lot of talented kids, and I want to be able to feature as many of them as I can. So, it had a lot of featured roles, and gender-flexible casting, so any boy or girl could play any character.”

Fourth grader Ava Schaffer plays Nemo–and being cast in the title role means a lot of work.

“It’s kind of overwhelming,” said Schaffer, “because you got to, like, remember all those lines. It’s also really fun, because you get to be with just about everybody.”

Nemo’s overbearing father Marlin is played by 4th grader Malachi Falck–who gets help at home in learning his lines.

“My mom makes me say them every single day,” said Falck, “and then run them with me.”

Third grader Aubrey Kuderer, who plays Dory, is having fun, as well.

“It’s fun because we get to express our acting skills, and do fun things,” said Kuderer.

A veteran director of casts young and old, Murren loves the enthusiasm and energy the elementary kids bring to a production.

“With kids, they really give 100% every time,” said Murren. “They have so much energy. They always volunteer to do everything. They’re going to take their books home, and they’re going to practice those lines at home, and they’re going to come with it all memorized the next day. That’s just a super amount of enthusiasm that you don’t get to see with adults.”

Unlike previous years’ productions held at the Gladys Wirsig Jones Auditorium, this year’s performances take place at the middle school commons. Admission is $5–cash and checks accepted only.