Hello and welcome to Winterfest and the Treasure Coast premiere of Finding Nemo JR.! 

This is a show I have been waiting for years to be released, and I am so glad it is finally here to serve as the centerpiece of our newly revamped Winterfest! For many years, our Festival of Trees was a major fundraiser for our education program. When we had to put a pause to the event due to the pandemic, it gave us time to really reflect on it and how we can make it even better. As we re-branded the event as Winterfest, we wanted to shift the focus of the festival to center its focus on our students and really show off exactly what the money raised through this festival supports – the kids! So with that in mind, we are thrilled to offer the amazing Finding Nemo JR!

Based on the classic Disney-Pixar film, it is a story about family persevering through struggles and learning how to work together. When the clownfish Nemo is taken from his reef by a dentist, his anxiety-ridden father Marlin must swim to his rescue with the help of the perpetually forgetful Dory. Along the way, they encounter an array of sea creatures as Marlin learns to have more trust in his child and Nemo learns just how resilient his father can be. As their family bond strengthens, they also learn the power of “found families” in Dory, the Fish Tank Gang who helps Nemo, and the important lesson of how we are stronger when “we swim together”.

An appropriate lesson for the times we live in and the holiday season itself, this show has been a joy to work on with these incredibly talented students. Some of them are joining us for the first time, while others have been with us for many many years! The joy these kids have as they share their immense talents makes every rehearsal a blast. We are so grateful to all of you for supporting our education programs at Riverside Theatre and are so excited to share our “Big Blue World” with you!

Marissa Beiter wants to be a Lawyer and go to Harvard. Her favorite Netflix series is “Stranger Things.” Her favorite Broadway show is SIX, and Beetlejuice. She enjoys watching the local High School Plays. She plays softball for St. Lucie County. Two of her favorite Riverside Theatre for Kids plays are Puffs and Elf JR. 

Baylin Bischoff is currently in the sixth grade. She has been performing at Riverside Theatre since she was five years old. Some of her favorite roles have been Young Eva in Riverside’s professional production of Evita, Young Anna in Frozen, and Young Fiona in Shrek JR. She loves performing on stage and is happy to be back at Riverside!

Charlie Clark is in seventh grade. She plays tennis, enjoys making pottery on the wheel, and has been running her own business since 3rd grade. She loves to travel - Malawi, Central Africa is her most exotic destination to date.

Ivy Cunningham is thrilled to be performing in Finding Nemo JR.! Ivy is in 9th grade and loves performing at Riverside Theatre. This will be her tenth show after most recently performing in Newsies and James and the Giant Peach JR. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her, especially her older sister Kayleigh for inspiring her to do theatre, the directors for making this show happen, and God for giving her this opportunity!

Evie Fusselman is a fifth grader. She recently played Les in the Riverside musical of Newsies JR. and was also an elf in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. She sings in her school music club and she's a member of the kids worship team at church. Her favorite musical is Matilda. Evie loves to read, play outside, and swim, but most of all she loves to be on stage! When she grows up she'd like to be an actor, a pianist, a singer, or a baker. She is thankful to Riverside Theatre for giving her this opportunity.

Audrey Gold has cherished time her time at Riverside Theatre. She has met so many lovely people she would like to thank her wonderful castmates who have made her feel so welcomed and made Riverside a safe and loving space. She would also like to thank her family for always being so supportive

Naomi Guanch is a ten year old fifth grader. She is the oldest of three girls. In her free time, she loves to draw, swim, sing, play video games, and spend time with her family. She has a dog, Juniper, who is her whole world. Her favorite show on TV is “Free Rein.” It’s about horses and she loves horses! When she grows up she would like to follow in her mom’s footsteps and be a hairdresser which would make her a fourth-generation hairdresser. She is excited about this opportunity to be on stage because she enjoys performing! She would like to thank her mom and dad for making this possible.

Lilia Hayes is a sixth grader. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue her passion for the performing arts with Riverside Theatre. Lilia has particularly enjoyed performing in previous roles with Riverside Theatre as Race in Newsies JR. and JoJo in Suessical. She was inspired to become involved in the performing arts after enjoying shows like Hamilton and Frozen. She would like to thank the team at Riverside and her family who have supported her through her theater journey thus far.

Hazel Holbrook is making her theater debut in Finding Nemo JR. She loves school, horseback riding, dance, and gymnastics. She enjoys playing with her brother and is excited to share the stage with him for the first time in this show.

Sebastian Holbrook is an Atlanta native who loves playing the piano and building Legos. He has performed in Frozen JR., Elf JR., Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR., and James and the Giant Peach JR.

Elizabeth Kelly is a fifth grader. She started off singing at the age of six in a music group called the Pop Tarts in Orlando. Her favorite show is Annie the Musical. Shows she enjoyed at Riverside Theatre are Newsies and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. She loves to be on stage and performing. She was just recently in Pirates the Musical.

Marley Keppel is a fourth grade home school student who loves her dog and being outside. When she is not singing around the house she can be found reading or swimming. She is thankful for this opportunity to perform at Riverside Theatre. She is especially thankful to her friend, l Miss Jenn, who helps foster her love of performing.

Lane Kirkland is in fifth grade. She fell in love with musical theatre following her role in Newsies, JR. and is so grateful for the support of her friends and family and all those who make Riverside Theatre shows possible. Outside of school, Lane enjoys singing, dancing, and yoga.

Sophie Laufersweiler is nine years old and loves musical theatre. Some of her favorite roles she has played are Young Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Polichinelle and Lead Mouse in The Nutcracker and Sven in Frozen Kids. She is thrilled to be performing in Finding Nemo JR. When she isn’t singing and dancing she loves to read and illustrate. She thanks her friends, family, and God for always encouraging her.

Ahleah Lloyd is ten years old and in the fifth grade. She began her theater career by being cast in Frozen KIDS, Into the Woods JR., Children of Eden JR., and most recently Newsies. Her love for dancing and singing has motivated her to work hard pushing herself to be a great performer. Born in Vero Beach with a strong family heritage, she understands the determination needed to succeed. Hobbies include dancing, singing, and spending time with her friends.

Brieyana Miranda would like to thank YOU for coming out to support live theatre! She has been at Riverside since she was six and absolutely loves it. When she is not performing in shows, she takes classes in tap and jazz and helps with Schoolsical programs. Her favorite roles include Silly Girl, Beauty and the Beast JR.; Emily Hobbs, Elf JR.; Toad, A Year With Frog and Toad; Sam, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. Snake/Soloist, Children of Eden JR. She would like to give a special thanks to her mom, dad, sisters, Nana, Sadie, Kevin, Debbie, Miss Mia, and the entire Riverside staff. Above all, she thanks God for the ability and opportunity to perform.

Carlee Miranda is very excited to perform in another Riverside production! She has been in several shows in the past. Her favorites include: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. (Santa Clause) Into the Woods JR. (Witch), and A Year With Frog and Toad (Snail). When she is not performing, some of my favorite things to do are baking, reading, and singing. She would like to thank her parents, sisters, Kevin and Debbie, the whole Riverside staff, and God for His many blessings.

Ava Monroe is in third grade and so excited to be performing in her first show at Riverside Theatre. Ava loves acting and is always performing for her family. Ava also loves science and plans to be an astronaut when she is older. When she isn't performing experiments, she loves dancing and singing and telling jokes and riddles. Ava would like to thank her family, her dog, and her friends for always supporting her.

Gracie Murdy is in sixth grade. She is very excited to be back at Riverside Theater in her third performance on the Stark Stage! She was previously cast in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. and Newsies JR. where she learned a ton and had lots of fun! She would like to be an author of theater productions when she grows up. In the meantime, Gracie loves to write creatively, sail in the Indian River Lagoon, and play with her adorable dog!

Maggie Rankin is in eighth grade and enjoys reading, theater, art, and designing! This is her seventh show at Riverside Theatre. She hopes to become a professional actor. She would like to thank her Mom and Dad, her sister Sadie, her brother Pittman, and all of her amazing grandparents for supporting her!

Pittman Rankin is a freshman in high school and is excited to perform Finding Nemo JR. Since his first time on stage, Pittman has tremendously enjoyed acting and hopes to continue performing with Riverside Theatre. He would like to thank his family as well as Brieyana Miranda for supporting his career in acting.

Sadie Rankin is a senior in high school and is thrilled to be in Finding Nemo JR., which is one of her favorite musicals. She has enjoyed every moment at Riverside over the past few years and can’t wait to continue performing in the future. Some of her favorite roles include Yukon Cornelius, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR.; Earthworm, James and the Giant Peach JR.; Horton, Suessical JR.; and Henry, Newsies. She would like to thank her family, Brieyana, Kevin, Debbie, and the entire Riverside Theatre staff.

Alyssa Sales is 13 and in eighth grade. She loves singing and acting. Her favorite role at Riverside was Bird Girl 2 in Seussical the Musical. Special thanks to the Riverside staff, God for this opportunity and ability to act, and all her theatre friends, especially Baylin, for their support.

Morgan Seip is a rookie to musical theater, though she is no stranger to the stage. She has taken Dance Classes since she was four years old and enjoyed participating in last year’s Riverside Ballet production of The Nutcracker. She is in fifth grade. She aspires to become a Veterinarian when she grows up.

Cora Stephenson is in third grade. Cora recently performed in Newsies JR., at Riverside Theatre. Her favorite musicals include Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and Newsies. Her passion is musical theatre and she can't wait to be part of more amazing productions at Riverside Theatre.

Samuel Sultzman considers himself a Renaissance man. A Vero Beach native, he loves to read, visit his chickens, and plans to be an entrepreneur. Science, the outdoors, playing strategy games, and spending time with family (including his 3 dogs) are some of Samuel's favorite things. Many thanks to his loving supporters.

Emily Tuttle has been in several Nutcracker ballets and has consistently taken musical theatre classes with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. being her first production with Riverside in December 2022. Recently, she was part of The Sound of Music through the St. Lucie County school district. She was excited to continue her Broadway journey with Newsies JR. at Riverside being her favorite show thus far and James and the Giant Peach JR. being a close second!

Isabella Vargas is 11 years old and is in sixth grade. She is thrilled to have performed in four productions at Riverside Theatre. She loves being on stage, expressing herself through song, and inspiring others to do the same. She also loves writing poetry and screenplays, and is crazy about cats! She hopes to one day be a singer/songwriter and to open a cat rescue. She would like to thank Mr. Kevin, Ms. Debbie, and everyone at Riverside for all of their support and encouragement, and for giving her this opportunity!

Casey Watkins is thrilled to be performing in Finding Nemo JR.! She loves to sing, dance, read, and spend time with her friends. Her favorite Riverside Theatre for Kids production is Newsies JR. where she played Katherine Plumber! Special thanks to her family, her friends, Kevin, and Debbie. Enjoy the show!

Ella Whitelock is ten years old and in fourth grade. She has been in multiple shows at Riverside Theatre and has enjoyed each and every one. As her true passion, Ella hopes to continue with theater for a very long time. Her other hobbies include lacrosse, dance, baking, and spending time with her friends. Ella would like to thank all of her family and friends for their support!

Jenna Wickre is delighted to be performing at Riverside Theatre again! She is in seventh grade where she also performs in her school's musical group. Her favorite role she has played at Riverside is Davey in Newsies JR.! In her free time, she enjoys practicing the piano, writing, drawing, singing, and making her friends and family laugh. She would like to thank her parents, her grandma, and her cats for this amazing opportunity.

Ella Wolf is in seventh grade. This is her sixth Riverside show and she loves each one more than the last! Ella wants to go to college for theatre and science. Her favorite musical is Newsies JR. She would like to thank her family, Kevin and Debbie, her music teachers, and God for the opportunity to perform on the Riverside stage again!

Creative Team

Director: Kevin Quillinan
Music Director: Debbie Quillinan
Scenic Designer: Victoria Hood
Costume Designer: Corey Brittain
Lighting Designer: Fiona Govin 
Sound Designer: Rhiannon Blanchette

“One Dedicated Father” Choreographed by: Brieyana Miranda