TYA: Disney's Finding Nemo Auditions

Hello and Welcome from Marriott Theatre!

Please read all audition information before submitting! Video submissions will be due April 7th at 5pm CT. Please submit your audition material via our AIRTABLE FORM. Videos must be received as an UNLISTED Youtube link or Vimeo link. Local Chicago actors are STRONGLY encouraged to submit.

CALLBACKS: In person callbacks will be held in Lincolnshire, IL during the days of April 28th, 2025 - April 29th. Please indicate on the audition form if you are not available during those days.

All cast members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to appear at an in-person callback and be cast in the show. “Fully vaccinated,” as defined by the CDC, is more than 14 calendar days following receipt of a final dose of an FDA or World Health Organization authorized or approved vaccine.

PRODUCTION DATES

First Rehearsal: September 24th, 2025

First Preview: October 10th, 2025

Press Opening: October 18th, 2025

*Closing: October 26, 2025

*Remount Rehearsal: November 13th, 2025 - November 14th, 2025

Performances Resume: November 15th, 2025 - January 4th, 2026

TYA: FINDING NEMO CREATIVE TEAM/ WHO WILL VIEW SUBMISSIONS

Amber Mak (She/Her) - Director/Choreographer

Ellie Kahn (She/Her) - Music Director

Peter Blair (He/Him) - Producer

Peter Sullivan (He/Him) - Artistic Director

Katie Johannigman (She/Her) - Associate Artistic Director

Kavin Moore, CSA (He/They) - Artistic Coordinator

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Casting Note: Kavin Moore, CSA

Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming casting process. The team strives to lead with respect, kindness, and generosity. In regard to the character descriptions – they outline the characters as described in the script and in consultation with the creative team. They do not aim to be all-encompassing representations of who might fill these roles. We aim for an expansive and deliberate casting process. We acknowledge that the characters in the script are traditionally presented as either male or female (using he/him or she/her pronouns). We warmly welcome submissions from individuals who identify as gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, or non-binary for the roles that resonate most with their identity.

Please reach out to Kavin Moore at Kavin.Moore@MarriottTheatre.com or 847-465-1326 ex. 1 if you have any questions or access needs.

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CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Preparation: Prepare the material for the role(s) you are most interested in. Please note that all characters will be brought to life via puppetry. If you would like to do the sides with an inanimate object such as a stuffed animal or puppet, that is fine but not necessary for the initial submission. Submit your audition material via our AIRTABLE FORM.

ALL AUDITION MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND HERE

‍NEMO (open to all gender identities and ethnicities,*seeking actors 10 - 14 OR Adult Performers 18+ with a youthful spirit): A curious young clownfish, born with a “lucky fin”, who brims with a sense of wonder and an eagerness for adventure.

MARLIN (Male/Masc, open to all ethnicities, 30s+): Nemo’s anxious and overprotective father, a clown fish who prefers the safety of his anemone to the unknowns of the open ocean.

DORY (Female/Femme, 18+, open to all ethnicities): an optimistic, bubbly, and sociable blue tang who experiences frequent short term-memory loss. Must have strong comedic skills. Doubles as: Pearl's Mom

ACTOR #4 (Female/Femme, open to all ethnicities, 18+) - ENSEMBLE; PEARL: an excitable and friendly flapjack octopus, CHUM: one of Bruce’s shark friends, who try to live vegetarian lifestyles, PEACH: A mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need, MOONFISH, JELLYFISH, BABY TURTLE, and OTHER SEA CREATURES.

ACTOR #5 (open to all gender identities and ethnicities, 18+) - ENSEMBLE; SHELDON: an H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble, ANCHOR: one of Bruce’s shark friends, who try to live vegetarian lifestyles, BLOAT: An open-minded and supportive blowfish, MOONFISH, JELLYFISH, BABY TURTLE, and OTHER SEA CREATURES.

ACTOR #6 (open to all gender identities and ethnicities, 30+) - ENSEMBLE; TAD: a self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish, GILL: a relentless and inspiring leader with a set of battle scars and a torn fin who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean, MOONFISH, JELLYFISH, BABY TURTLE, and OTHER SEA CREATURES.

ACTOR #7 (Female/Femme, open to all ethnicities, 18+) - ENSEMBLE; CORAL: A loving mother-to-be clownfish, married to Marlin, who will stop at nothing to protect her eggs, TAD'S MOM, GURGLE: Frightened of strangers and the germs they carry with them, is a royal gramma who enjoys the safety and regulated cleanliness of the tank, MOONFISH, JELLYFISH, BABY TURTLE, and OTHER SEA CREATURES

ACTOR #8 (Male/Masc, open to all ethnicities, 30+) - ENSEMBLE: PROFESSOR RAY: Nemo’s enthusiastic encyclopedia stingray teacher, BRUCE: An intimidating great white shark, is the sharks’ ringleader. CRUSH: a 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose, teaches Marlin a thing or two about being a good parent, NIGEL: A friendly, sharp-eyed pelican who is proud to know all the local happenings of the Sydney Harbour, MOONFISH, JELLYFISH, BABY TURTLE, and OTHER SEA CREATURES

‍*For all roles:

Seeking actors with strong physical comedic skills.

All roles will require puppeteering

All roles will be understudied