In the warm, tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, members of the Sea Chorus relish in the beauty of their underwater paradise, including two clownfish and soon-to-be-parents, Marlin and Coral ("Prologue"). Tragically, a vicious Barracuda attacks, leaving Marlin alone with all but one of their eggs, a child he names Nemo.
Time passes, and Nemo excitedly arrives at the schoolyard for the first day of school, where it is revealed that Nemo was born with one fin that is smaller than the other, referred to as a "lucky fin." An overprotective Marlin struggles to let his kid go for the very first time ("Big Blue World - Parts 1 and 2"). Professor Ray whisks Nemo and the other students off to the edge of the coral reef, causing Marlin to panic ("The Drop-Off"). Upon spotting a mysterious boat lurking just beyond the reef, Nemo's classmates swim towards it, daring each other to go further into the deep water. When a terrified Marlin arrives and scolds the children, Nemo defiantly charges further out and is captured by a diver's net ("Abduction / Big Blue World - Reprise").
In his frantic search for Nemo, Marlin swims into Dory, a friendly yet forgetful blue fish who offers to help ("Dory's Ditty"). Unknowingly, Marlin and Dory float into shark territory, where they meet Bruce, a great white shark, and a whole frenzy of sharks trying to adopt fish-free diets ("Fish Are Friends Not Food"). Amidst the sharks' gathering, Marlin spots a diver's mask lying on the ocean floor, and Dory turns to the sharks for help reading the inscription, hoping it will offer a clue to find Nemo. Doubting her judgment, Marlin struggles with Dory over the mask, accidentally causing her nose to bleed. The scent of blood ignites Bruce's insatiable appetite for fish, and while Marlin and Dory escape, they lose the diver's mask in the process.
Meanwhile, in a tank at the Sydney Harbour Aquarium, a scared Nemo longs for home ("Where's My Dad?"). Members of the Tank Gang reassure Nemo, hatching a plan to clog the fish tank and escape into the ocean as a team ("We Swim Together"). Nigel, a fish-friendly pelican, promises to keep an eye out for Nemo's dad in the sea.
Back in the ocean, Dory tries to cheer Marlin up as the search for Nemo continues, but Marlin is frustrated by her quirky antics. Luckily, they reunite with the diver's mask, which has the address of where Nemo was taken. Though Marlin would prefer to go on alone, the two head off towards Sydney with the generous assistance of a school of Moonfish ("Just Keep Swimming - Part 1"). After an argument over which direction to travel, Marlin's choice wins, leading the duo into a dangerous swarm of Jellyfish that sting Dory and overwhelm them both ("Just Keep Swimming - Part 2").
Back at the aquarium, Nemo and the Tank Gang have successfully dirtied up the tank for their escape plan but find they are still trapped by an immovable grate blocking the tank's intake pipe. GILL, who like Nemo has one different fin, promises they can hatch a new plan. Nemo fears an escape is hopeless, doubting that Marlin is even out there searching ("Not My Dad").
Back in the ocean, a large colony of Sea Turtles rescues Dory and Marlin from the jellyfish and guides them through the fast-moving East Australian Current. Crush, a wise sea turtle, gives Marlin some advice on mellowing out and learning to trust his kid ("Go With the Flow"). After a totally tubular ride through the current, word spreads throughout the ocean about Dory and Marlin's trek to find Nemo ("One Dedicated Father").
Nigel flies to the tank to deliver the exciting news that Marlin has reached Sydney Harbour, and Nemo beams with pride ("That's My Dad"), but the appearance of an aquarium net threatens to stop Nemo from escaping. Determined to get Nemo back out to sea, the Tank Gang works together to break free of the net and coaches Nemo to swim through the grate and up the intake pipe ("We Swim Together - Reprise"). They know that they'll join Nemo out in the ocean someday.
In the ocean, Marlin worries that all hope is lost when, suddenly, Nemo flies out of the tank pipe! Their happy reunion in the harbour is suddenly interrupted when a giant fishing net appears, sweeping Dory up, along with a school of Moonfish. Having learned from the Tank Gang how to free them, Nemo swims into the fray and instructs the captured fish to swim down together, guiding Dory and the Moonfish to freedom ("Just Keep Swimming Together"). With admiration for each other's bravery, Marlin and Nemo make their way home with their new friend Dory ("Finale - Part 1").
With faith in Nemo to take on all the adventures that await in the ocean, Marlin and Dory send Nemo off to school to go explore the big blue world ("Finale - Part 2").
A Note on Cast Size
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. has 34 speaking roles but can also be performed with a smaller cast in the 15-20 range. Many featured and ensemble roles can be double cast if needed; refer to the Casting section of your Director’s Guide for more details
Nemo
A curious young clownfish who brims with excitement to explore the wonders that lie beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Born with a “lucky fin” – or what humans would call a limb difference
Nemo quickly learns that the world possesses incredible dangers in addition to the promise of big adventures. By making new friends, finding strength within, and practicing teamwork, Nemo transforms into a capable and brave leader, able to self-advocate and take on challenges big and small. Cast an energetic performer who can capture Nemo’s innocence and sense of wonder.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Marlin
An anxious clownfish and Nemo’s overprotective father, who, after the tragic death of his wife Coral, prefers the safety of his anemone to the frightening unknowns of the open ocean. Forced to travel across the sea in search of Nemo, Marlin develops the courage to face the unpredictable ocean and the wisdom to trust others – including his own kid.
Consider casting an older, mature actor to play this helicopter parent who eventually learns to lighten up and embrace the clown in “clownfish.”
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Dory
An optimistic and bubbly blue tang, experiences frequent short-term memory loss and finds herself wandering through the ocean with no place to call home. Sparking friendships with whomever she meets, Dory immediately offers to help Marlin find his lost child, and the two set out on an adventurous journey through the ocean. Along the way, Dory’s kindness and bright spirit ease Marlin’s fears, and the unlikely duo finds comfort and family in each other.
Look for a performer with great charisma and a stage presence that can light up a room. Consider auditioning several Marlins and Dorys together, as the two should be able to playfully banter with great comic timing.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Coral
A loving mother-to-be clownfish, married to Marlin, who will stop at nothing to protect her eggs.
After your actor has finished with this role, have them join the Sea Chorus or other ensemble group for the rest of the show.
Gender: female
Sea Chorus
Functions as the general ensemble, creating the environment of the play and becoming the characters that Marlin and Dory interact with on their journey to Sydney. They will also help with the transitions from the Ocean to the Aquarium Tank. Roles include: Angelfish, Damselfish, Barracuda, Moonfish 1-6, Jellyfish, Sea Turtles, Grouper, Lobsters (1 & 2), Octopuses (1 & 2), Electric Eels (1 & 2), & Seahorses (1 & 2).
Gender: any
Reef Kids
Nemo's classmates. Roles include:
Pearl, a friendly flapjack octopus who is, quick to befriend Nemo.
Sheldon, an H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble who taunts Nemo to swim beyond the reef.
Tad, a self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish who joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo to swim past the Drop-Off.
Gender: any
Reef Parents
Roles include: Sheldon’s Parent, Pearl’s Parent, and Tad’s Parent
Gender: any
Professor Ray
A stingray and Nemo’s enthusiastic teacher, takes pride in sharing the curiosities and marvels of the world with the class and encourages every student to be a brave explorer. Cast a performer with excellent diction to handle the large scientific words in this professor’s advanced vocabulary.
Gender: any
Scuba Mask Dancer
A performer responsible for floating the diver’s mask through the water whenever it appears onstage.
Gender: any
Bruce
An intimidating great white shark, is the sharks’ ringleader. Despite Bruce’s best efforts to adopt a vegetarian diet, Bruce loses control and is sent into a frenzy, threatening to devour every fish in sight. Part of the Sharks.
Gender: any
Chum and Anchor
Two of Bruce’s shark friends, try to live vegetarian lifestyles but are eventually forced to restrain an out-of- control Bruce from eating innocent fish. Part of The Sharks.
Gender: any
Fish "Friends"
Forced to attend the sharks’ party but aren’t quite so convinced that their hosts will be satisfied with a kelp-only diet.
Gender: any
Bubbles
Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A yellow tang who is captivated by bubbles, is the first to welcome Nemo to the tank. This friendly fish exclusively uses the word “bubbles” to communicate.
Gender: any
Bloat
Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. An open-minded and supportive blowfish, is proud to be part of the Tank Gang family and helps keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things seem bleak.
Gender: any
Gurgle
Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. Frightened of strangers and the germs they carry with them, is a royal gramma who enjoys the safety and regulated cleanliness of the tank.
Gender: any
Peach
Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need it.
Gender: any
Gill
Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A relentless and inspiring leader who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean. This Moorish idol fish believes in the Tank Gang and concocts countless plans to bust them out of the aquarium. Gill is the first fish Nemo has ever met with a similar “fin difference,” quickly becoming a mentor and inspiration for the young clownfish.
Gender: any
Nigel
A sharp-eyed pelican, Nigel is the Tank Gang’s feathered friend and only connection to the outside world. This bird is someone you can count on to know all the latest news on the happenings of Sydney Harbour.
Gender: any
Seagulls
Are a pesky group of birds who persistently try to snatch an unlucky VACATIONER’s snack on the boardwalk.
Gender: any
Sea Turtles & Sea Turtle Kids
Righteously mellow creatures featured in “Go With the Flow.” Roles include: Crush, Squirt, Kai, and Breeze.
Crush, a 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose, teaches Marlin a thing or two about being a good parent. Look for a strong singer who can confidently belt “Go With the Flow” to make it a truly radical jam.
Squirt, offspring of Crush, fearlessly twirls through turbulent waters of the ocean and enjoys trying out cool new moves in the high-speed EAC.
Kai and Breeze each have individual singing solos in “Go With the Flow”.
Gender: any
- Marine Biology
- Language Arts
- Environmental Conservation
Billing
Requirements
Video Warning
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibitedIncluded Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEOS DIGITAL | 1 |
| DIGITAL SHOWKIT | 1 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |