Rockford University stages Finding Nemo Jr. production, with kid cast

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — She talks to whales, forgets everything, and just keeps swimming. But for one young Rockford performer, the role of Dory in Rockford University’s production of Finding Nemo, Jr. is an experience she won’t forget.

While some kids are kicking back while school is out for the summer, Alexis Stone is spending her break memorizing lines, learning choreography, and building confidence on the stage.

“I first started when I was nine,” she explained. “I took dance here and it was super fun, but I wanted to step it up, I wanted to kind of do something more, you know, and i decided to do theatre and it was so much fun. I really enjoy it. It’s like fun, it’s like breathtaking,g kind of knowing you can do something that most people can’t do.”

The youth production features hundreds of performers of all personalities and ages.

“Some of these kids, I’ve had since they were like five or six. So now, some of those kids are twelve and they’re in the show,” said director Mariah Kramer. “It’s really sweet to be able to just see them grow up and to get to be a part of their lives for that long and also to just see them grow as performers, but also as people.”

Rehearsals will go on for months, with kids learning choreography, scene blocking, and even how to act with custom-made puppets.

“They had to learn how to do the scene, but then also move the mouth of the puppet and blink the eye of the puppet and all these things, and that was a new element, and they really rose to the challenge with that,” Kramer said.

For most kids who get involved in theater, it’s not just the spotlight that keeps them coming back, but the friendships they forge.

“I’ve made so many friends here, like a new family, honestly,” Alexis said. “It’s like one of the best things, honestly, I’m not gonna lie, the social part,” Alexis said.

Finding Nemo, Jr. runs this weekend and next at Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre.