Spring Musical Cast Profile: Joel and Isaac

Fredericksburg, Virginia—The Earth is 71% water and 97% of that water is oceans. That's a lot of real estate for different sea life and the stage adaptation of Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo Jr.” represents a wide swath of different sea creatures. STEP VA, the local 501(c)3 non-profit that aims to “empower people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration,” is bringing the show to the stage as part of the Spring Musical Experience. Just one opportunity the organization offers as part of its mission, the cast and crew is 50 people strong, including Joel and Isaac.

Joel Ayo

Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo Jr.” will be Joel Ayo's first time on this side of the curtain. For the last two years, he's worked behind the scenes as a member of the tech crew. This year, he was interested in trying his hand at acting.

He landed the role of the barracuda—the first villainous role in the show and the catalyst for a significant plot point in the story. The weekly, two-hour rehearsals are far different from the tech classes, though.

“Being on stage is a lot more work but also exciting,” Ayo said, adding that “being with friends” is the best thing about rehearsal.

Coming into the cast, Ayo had a basic idea of the story, but didn't remember having seen the original movie in its entirety.

Through the months of rehearsals, he's enjoyed “Big Blue World” the  most, though he admits that “trying to follow the right steps” has been challenging.

Choreography aside, Ayo is most looking forward to “getting to be on stage as the barracuda.”

Isaac is also looking forward to bringing his character to the stage. He's cast as Kai, one of the sea turtles in he flotilla.

“He is kind, funny, and smart,” Isaac said of the character, adding that Kai is different from the other characters he's played over the years because—as he points out—they all have different personalities and emotions. It's a far cry from Isaac's first role in the STEP VA Spring Musical Experience as Banzai the hyena in Disney's “The Lion King, Kids!” In the intervening years, Isaac has also played Snoopy's brother Andy, in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” followed by Thing 1 in “Seussical Jr.” last year.

He returns each year, he said, because “I like acting and hanging out with my friends.”

“It’s amazing because I get to show my character and let the audience feel it. I always have fun with my friends and enjoy the musical experience,” Isaac added. “I am always a great actor and want to come back and show my character and show how my acting has come a long way of amazing achievement.”

The acting—and dancing—are Isaac's favorite part of rehearsals, though it's not always a walk in the park.

“People not listening to directions,” make rehearsals challenging, especially when the cast is as big as it is this year.

While he was generally familiar with the original Finding Nemo movie, Isaac has gotten to know it a lot more since rehearsals started. With plenty of musical talent himself (he plays in his school band), his favorite songs are “Go with the Flow”—a song that primarily features the sea turtle flotilla—and “One Dedicated Father.”

But what he's looking forward to most of all is getting on stage and “having fun with my friends in the play.”

Let Isaac show you his character of Kai and try not to flinch when Ayo sets the story in motion at Courtland High School on 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.