Nemo was lost, but then he was found, as the popular Disney animated movie came to the Wantagh Elementary School stage on Feb. 11 and 12. 

Between the cast and crew, nearly 90 fourth and fifth graders were involved in this year’s production of “Finding Nemo Kids.” It was third annual production for the Wantagh Elementary School Theater Club. There were daytime shows each day for students following evening performances for parents. 

All of the cast members participated in four shows, but five roles were split with one group performing the leading parts on Feb. 11 and a different group on Feb. 12. Ally Cook and Brooklyn Azcona shared duties as the title character. Other leads included Charlotte Duffy and Dominic Lerro as Marlin, Emerson Dunn and Aviana Amendolare as Dory, Ella Semetis and Emma Sellars as Crush, and Liam Zuniga and Jeremy Holub Steinberg as Squirt. 

Musical numbers included “Big Blue World,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food” and “Just Keep Swimming.” 

The show was directed by Kyle Sweezy, supported by music director Beth Marinis, choreographer Christina Mealey, stage manager Rachel Iannuzzi and technical director Christopher Cockren. This was also the first year of a student stage crew, who took on various roles from opening and closing curtains, to lighting and sound, to moving props during scene changes.

Ms. Iannuzzi, the assistant principal, said students asked about starting a stage crew and the directing team thought it was a great idea to increase participation. It will also give them great experience if they want to join the stage crew for the middle school or high school plays.

Rehearsals began in October, with practices twice a week after school. The hard work was evident from the start.

“You could tell from their faces that they all wanted to be here and wanted to create something special,” Mr. Sweezy said. “They all motivated each other and worked as a team.”

Ms. Marinis said this year’s cast was very talented and was full of great singers. She noted that music theater is a tremendous vehicle for students to realize themselves, find their niche, and blossom and grow. 

Patience and responsibility were an integral part of the process. Ms. Iannuzzi said that students understood that it takes time to put together a show, and being patient and working hard brings positive results. They also learned the responsibility they have to the entire group through their individual roles.

“We are so proud of them for truly putting in their best efforts,” Ms. Iannuzzi. “They were having fun but working hard at the same time. The success of the show was all the students. It was their performance.”