The third and final production of the 2026 Emporia State Summer Theatre season features a musical who cast is area elementary- and middle-school students.
“Finding Nemo KIDS” is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It will have two showings on July 10 and 11.
Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean.
With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
The show features an all-youth cast and is the culmination of a summer camp from June 29 through July 11. Students who finished school in fourth through eighth grade auditioned in May for their parts.
During the camp, the youth will learn speaking parts, songs and dance moves. The camp and production is led by Lexie Vega, theatre director at Emporia Middle School, who graduated from ESU in May 2025 with a bachelor of science in education degree in speech and theatre. Producing the show is Aubrey Wilson, ESU director of theatre. Nic Wilson, is design supervisor.
Leading the backstage technical work will be ESU theatre students who are part of the 2026 summer theatre company:
- Joyanne Boutz , Topeka, music director
- Jarrett Davis, Rossville, stage manager and assistant director
- Rehanna Owen, Huntsville, Missouri, costume designer and stitcher
- Luis Rivera Rede, Liberal, scenic designer and carpenter
The 30-minute production will delight theatre-goers of all ages.
“Finding Nemo KIDS” will be staged twice, at 6 p.m. July 10 and 2 p.m. July 11 in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall on the ESU campus. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, ESU staff and faculty and Theatre Guild members and $5 for children. ESU students are free.
To order tickets, go online to emporia.link/theatre-tickets.