Spring Musical Cast Profile: Mikayla Snelson and Reeve Watson

Fredericksburg, Virginia—This is the fifth year that STEP VA Inc., the local 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration, has hosted the Spring Musical Experience. This year's show Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.,” isn't just a family-friendly show, it's all about family ties. One of those families within the show is that of longnose butterfly fish. Playing Tad's parents are STEP VA veterans Mikayla Snelson and Reeve Watson.

Mikayla Snelson

The role of Tad's mom is Snelson's third role in the STEP VA Spring Musical experience, and one that she thinks “will be fun to play.” She got her start as part of the Peanuts Gang in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and took a turn as Cindy Lou Who in last year's “Seussical, Jr.” She returns this year for the experience.

“I love the excitement of the show and learning new songs and dances,” Snelson said, adding that she doesn't have a favorite song from the show this year, as she enjoys them all. Like many of her peers, she enjoys rehearsals for several reasons.

“Getting to go see my friends and being able to sing and dance,” she said, when asked about her favorite aspect of the weekly run-throughs.

She's excited for the performances, too, especially “being able to dress up in the costumes and for my family and friends to come watch the show.”

That doesn't mean it's always easy for her. Snelson, who wears hearing aids, can have difficulties when the entire 45-member cast is all together, especially in a room that echoes.

“Sometimes it gets a little loud and I can't always hear what is being said,” she explained.

Snelson is pulling double duty this year. After she drops her “kid” off at school in the first half of the show, she'll join the sea turtle flotilla in the second half.

“I think the most challenging part for me will be to change costumes during the show. I also get nervous when I have to talk,” she admitted.

Watson, too, goes from being Tad's parent in the first part of the play to a sea turtle in the second—in his case, one named Breeze. Like Snelson, he is a bit wary of the costume change that comes with playing two characters.

“I have to do two costumes real quickly but I like to do more songs,” he said.

Reeve Watson

Having been involved with the STEP VA Spring Musical Experience for four years now, Watson has literally grown up with his characters. In 2022, he was cast as Young Simba in STEP VA's version of Disney's “The Lion King, Kids!” He followed that up with the role of Charlie Brown's conscience in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” before playing one of the Wickersham Brothers in “Seussical Jr.” Playing the role of a parent to one of his castmates doesn't bother Watson.

“I like that I do ALOT of shows with all my friends, I’m happy for STEP VA,” he said. “I love to be with my friends and I love to do the singing and the dancing. I like the hanging out.”

Like many of his peers, those things he loves about STEP VA and which keep him returning to the Spring Musical Experience are also what he enjoys most about rehearsals.

And, like many others in the cast will admit, the best part can sometimes be the most challenging part, too.

“Remembering all the steps sometimes is a little nervous but I don’t give up and do a great job,” Watson added.

If the last three years are any indication, he has every right to be confident, but that's not what it's about for Watson. Though he does think about his performance, he's just as concerned about everyone else and their experience.

“Seeing all the people and everyone being happy,” is what he's looking forward to, along with “doing the show to be proud.”

Come join friends and family and be happy watching Snelson and Watson do double duty, in STEP VA's version of Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” on stage at Courtland High School, April 12-13 (6 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively).

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available for audience members at the show on Saturday, April 12 (6 p.m.). Tickets are $15 (kids under five are free) and are on sale now. CLICK HERE to purchase.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.