ESU Theatre Announces First Summer Youth Production Auditions to Occur on May 5

Emporia, KS (04/24/2026) — Emporia State University Theatre is calling all students who have finished fourth through eighth grades to participate in its first summer youth production, "Finding Nemo KIDS," a new stage musical based on the beloved Pixar film.

Auditions will be from 6 to 8 p.m. May 5 in Friesen Studio inside Roosevelt Hall on the ESU campus. The camp is June 29 through July 11 with two performances July 10 and 11.

"Finding Nemo KIDS" brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. It is a 30-minute musical adaptation with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

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.

During auditions all our fin-tastic friends will be reading a small portion of the script, learning and singing a song along with a short dance. We encourage everyone to wear closed toed shoes and breathable clothes that you can groove in!

Enrollment for the summer camp costs $150 with needs-based scholarships available upon request. All who audition will be cast in a role, rehearse and perform in the show!

Rehearsals will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in Friesen Studio, Roosevelt Hall. Students should bring a packed lunch for the day, and some snacks will be provided.

Performances are scheduled 6 p.m. July 10 and 2 p.m. July 11 in the Bruder Theatre, King Hall.

Visit emporia.edu/tickets for reservations or additional information call the box office at (620) 341-5256 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or email Aubrey Wilson, director of theatre, at awilso46@emporia.edu on weekdays with any questions.

About Emporia State Theatre

Emporia State University has one of the oldest and strongest theatre programs in the country, with well over 1,000 graduates. Many are working across the country in professional and academic theatre. At ESU, students can earn a BFA or BA in theatre, or gain certification to become a secondary teacher in the BSE program in speech and theatre. We are proud to be a part of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. ESU Theatre is an active participant of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

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Emporia State University

ESU Theatre Announces First Summer Youth Production Auditions to Occur on May 5

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