Younger members of the Spotlight Community Theatre troupe will perform the musical “Finding Nemo Jr.” in an upcoming production.
Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12-14 and 2 p.m. March 14-15 at the Contrarian Concert Hall and Theater, 125 E. Main St., Festus. Tickets cost $15 and are available at spotlightjeffco.ludus.com or at the door, if available.
Courtney Wisely, the production’s director as well as theater troupe’s founder, said she is excited about her cast.
The production, based on the 2003 Disney-Pixar film “Finding Nemo” and focused on sea creatures, has an uplifting message, she said.
Wisely described the plot as a desperate search by a father, Marlin, to find his missing child, Nemo, at the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. Marlin teams up with the forgetful fish Dory, and the two go on a journey in which they encounter sharks and other sea animals as they try to track Nemo.
“This show is a reminder that you can overcome any obstacle if you work together,” Wisely said.
Jenny Ditto of St. Louis is the production’s assistant director, and Debbie Anderson of Festus is its music director.
“Assistant directing ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’ has been so fun,” Ditto said. “I have loved working with all these amazing kids and watching their confidence grow. I cannot wait for everyone to see the show.”
Principal cast members are: Tyler Potter of De Soto as Marlin, Eli Evans of Festus as Nemo and Alice Ditto of Oakville as Dory.
The rest of the cast consists of: Ava Ross of Bloomsdale; Jacob Kyle of Byrnes Mill; Cannon Therrell, Cohen Shaw, Cora Meyer, Dawson St. John, Grady Evans, Harrison Clements, Hazel James, June Gans, Landon Sanford, Maci Mueller, Rose Crowell, Scarlett Gans, Stella Drury and Vivian Kerr of Festus; Landon Kley, Stella Umfleet and Vivienne Hilligoss of Hillsboro; Eliza Brockmeyer and Keelee Marshall of House Springs; Liam Maya of Imperial; Augustine Somers, Clementine Somers and Isabel Somers of Richwoods; and Dorothy Thomas of St. Louis.
The Spotlight Community Theatre group is a nonprofit organization founded by Wisely in 2022 and based in Festus, but draws members from around Jefferson County and beyond.
Wisely said the theater troupe, which immediately found a groundswell of interest when she started it, continues to attract actors and behind-the-scenes volunteers of all ages.
“We have over 400 people currently involved with Spotlight and are always growing,” she said. “Things are going amazing for Spotlight, just getting started with a full year of productions.
“We just filled our open board seats with three new members. We are always looking for new faces to join in any way.”
Wisely stressed that Spotlight functions with the help of people with a variety of skills.
“We have some opportunities for tech crew for our next show, ‘Guys and Dolls Sr.,” she said. “Auditions for our Acting Troupe Showcase will be in April which will have opportunities for youth, teens and adults. Our website has all of the information for getting more involved.”
The organization’s website is spotlightjeffco.org.
Be on the lookout for “Front Page Sounds,” a mini concert featuring Spotlight actors performing one or more songs from “Finding Nemo Jr.” that will soon be posted on the Leader Publications Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as its website at myleaderpaper.com.