NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters,
Welcome to this wonderful performance of Finding Nemo Jr.! As the director of this production, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the talented young actors, crew members, and volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to bringing this story to life. The journey of creating this show has been a true labor of love, and I am beyond excited for you to witness the hard work, passion, and creativity that these students have poured into every moment.
The journey of Marlin and Nemo reminds us of the power of perseverance, love, and courage—qualities that each of our cast members has embodied through every rehearsal and performance. Much like Marlin's journey to find his son, these students have grown, faced challenges, and triumphed along the way. I hope you are inspired by their resilience and determination.
In the song "Just Keep Swimming," we are reminded that no matter the obstacles we face, the key is to keep moving forward with hope and confidence. This is a lesson we can all carry with us, both on the stage and in our everyday lives.
As we come together to celebrate this production, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you—our amazing audience—for your unwavering support. Your presence here tonight means the world to us, and we are truly thankful for the love and encouragement you have shown our students.
This production would not have been possible without the incredible guidance and hard work of our team of teachers, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Mrs. Chang, Mrs. Bianchi, Ms. Natividad, and Mr. McCormack: I am so grateful to be on this team with you. You are hardworking, supportive, kind, thoughtful, and true team players. Each step of this journey has been a joy because of your creativity, friendship, and perseverance. Thank you for everything.
To my 8th-grade students: What an incredible journey we've had! From telling the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast to remembering who we are in The Lion King, and now learning to Go With the Flow in Finding Nemo, I am so proud of each of you. I wish you all the best in high school and beyond. Please know that you will always have a home here at Nativity.
To my wonderful family—Paul, Ellie, Meghan, Sophia, Mom, Dad, and Steven—thank you for your love and support throughout this entire journey. Your encouragement, patience, and understanding mean the world to me. I am so grateful for each of you, and I could not do this without you.
Lastly, I’d like to share a verse from Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse has been a guiding light throughout our rehearsal process, reminding our cast that with faith, determination, and teamwork, anything is possible.
Thank you again for joining us tonight. We hope this performance brings you joy, inspiration, and the same sense of adventure that our cast has experienced every step of the way.
With gratitude and pride,
Mrs. Becky Gerhardt
Director, Finding Nemo Jr.
