Fredericksburg, Virginia—It's a big, blue world out there in Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo,” filled with wonderful creatures of all sizes. When STEP VA Inc., the local 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration, brings the show to the stage, the cast will truly reflect all creatures, great and small. There's no better example of that than Gavin Marchand and Kaden Porter.
Tall and slender, the six-foot tall Gavin Marchand is a featured dancer for the cast this year and it's a most appropriate casting. His favorite part of rehearsal? “Singing and dancing!” he said.
This is Marchand's second year treading the boards for STEP VA. He donned a mohawk wig and leather vest last year as one of the Wickersham Brothers in “Seussical Jr.,” and the experience brought him back this year.
“I like it when I get to dance, and it was a great time, being in Seussical Jr.,” he explained.
As much as he enjoys dancing, Marchand admits that learning the choreography for the dances can be the most challenging part of rehearsals.
Having seen the original “Finding Nemo” movie when he was younger, Marchand's favorite character is Marlin, Nemo's dad, but his favorite song in “Finding Nemo, Jr.” is “Fish are Friends, Not Food,” which is a dance number in which he'll be seen dancing with the sharks.
With less than two months to go until showtime, Marchand is excited to get back on stage and show everyone that he's good actor. The audience will know it's him, when he says “hello!” to the other marine creatures on stage early in the show—and then warns everyone of incoming danger.
Porter will share the stage with Marchand, and in some ways the two couldn't be more different. Two feet shorter and a few years younger, Porter, one of the fish friends, first graced the stage with STEP VA two years ago as the younger Schroeder during “You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.” Last year, Porter joined Noah Gentry and Vanessa Porter in the Dr. Seuss Class and, like the other two, made the move to the big stage this year. That transition has Porter particularly excited.
“My favorite part is being with the big group!” he declared.
Being part of the big group and getting to wear the costumes that are more than just another human being makes this experience that much more special for him, though that doesn't mean it's easy.
When asked what the most challenging aspect of rehearsals is, Porter said “defeating anxiety.”
Yet, he bounds into rehearsals every week, excited to take part and it shows. His cast mates say it's clear he enjoys what he does and that he's “made for musical theater.”
It's no doubt he'll bring that enthusiasm to the show, especially when it comes to his favorite song in the show, “Big Blue World.”
Come see Marchand and Porter as they dazzle in their roles as sea creatures in STEP VA's stage version of Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” on April 12 & 13, 2025 at Courtland High School, April 12 & 13, 2025. Tickets go on sale March 1.
For more information or to donate to STEP VA, visit www.stepva.org.
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STEP VA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sensory-based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community.