Grade 5 Students Bring the Ocean to Life in Lower School Musical Production of Finding Nemo Kids

The Lower School stage was transformed into the colorful world of the Great Barrier Reef this past weekend as Grade 5 students presented the musical Finding Nemo Kids, delighting audiences with a sold-out run of performances. After months of preparation, the production brought together more than 60 students across two casts and crew teams, supported by a dedicated group of teachers, staff, and volunteers who helped guide the journey from rehearsal room to stage. 

The musical, based on the beloved Disney Pixar story, follows Marlin, an anxious but devoted clownfish, and his curious son Nemo, who dreams of exploring the ocean beyond their anemone home. When Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from the reef, Marlin sets off on a courageous journey across the sea. Along the way, he encounters unforgettable characters, including the optimistic Dory, the laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the Tank Gang, all of whom help him navigate challenges and rediscover courage, friendship, and trust. 

Led by our Lower School Performing Arts team, Marissa Brits and Baden Hitchcock, students spent weeks learning songs, choreography, blocking, and stagecraft while building confidence and collaboration along the way. The production was supported by a broader team of teachers, staff, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to help bring the show together. 

The show featured two rotating casts, allowing more students to take on major roles and share the spotlight. Each performance showcased a wide ensemble of reef creatures, turtles, pelicans, sharks, and sea life, supported by a large sea chorus and a student technical crew responsible for helping manage stage elements and transitions. 

For the Grade 5 performers, the production represented much more than a retelling of a familiar story. Throughout the rehearsal process, students developed skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving as they worked together toward a shared creative goal. 

Throughout the rehearsal process, students experienced firsthand what it means to create a theatrical production as a team. Many students who initially felt shy gradually grew more confident as rehearsals progressed. 

“Over the past weeks, we have seen remarkable growth,” Ms. Brits shared. “Students who were shy at first found the courage to step forward and shine. They learned to support one another, collaborate meaningfully, and keep trying, adjusting, and improving with perseverance and a positive spirit.” 

Productions like this highlight the role of performing arts in helping students build confidence and resilience. From learning lines and choreography to navigating backstage responsibilities, students experienced firsthand how a large production comes together through collective effort. 

The result was a joyful weekend of performances filled with vibrant costumes, energetic choreography, and memorable musical numbers such as “Big Blue World,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Just Keep Swimming.”  

Much like the characters in the story who learn to take risks and venture beyond their comfort zones, Grade 5 students also experienced their own journey throughout the production. For many, the process meant trying something new, stepping into unfamiliar roles, and finding the courage to perform in front of an audience. 

By the time the curtain rose, the stage reflected not only months of preparation, but also the growth, resilience, and teamwork students developed along the way. In many ways, the message at the heart of Finding Nemo resonated both on and off the stage: when people support one another and face challenges together, they often discover strengths they didn’t know they had.