We recently had the good fortune to experience a production powered by pure joy at the Eccles Center: McPolin Elementary’s first-ever musical, “Finding Nemo Jr.” The colorful costumes and sparkly sets were a delight, but the real magic was the palpable courage and belonging that radiated fr om the nearly 100 students involved. This show was the vision of fourth-grade teacher Jena Schmidt, who also directed masterfully. It came to life with funding from a Park City Education Foundation Classroom Grant (Classroom Grant funds are raised through the Education Foundation’s Running with Ed, coming up on May 16) and a strong web of educators and parent volunteers who built sets, sewed costumes, bundled flowers, sold concessions and shepherded children. From the lobby slideshow that honored each child to the double-casting of leads to ensure more students could experience a big role, every aspect of the production was intentional, and deeply moving. Ms. Jena (and more than a few in the audience) wept as she introduced the show and marveled at her students’ months of hard work and growth. Many of the children, she said, conquered shyness to shine onstage. The curtain rose, and the depth and breadth of talent was nothing short of staggering. Every child was perfectly placed, from the nimble stage crew and student sound board operators to the cast, which included the tiniest performers flapping paper waves and blowing bubbles throughout, and the older kids, who helped each other onstage and off, and encouraged each other with words that were sometimes, preciously, audible over an accidental hot mic. Every minute vibrated with music, joy, courage and heart. Many wet eyes in the crowd showed the message landed exactly where it was meant to. Through four months of rehearsals, challenges and plenty of laughter, our community’s children discovered diligence, bravery, confidence, teamwork, problem-solving and the brilliantly simple wisdom to “just keep swimming” — enduring lessons that stay buoyant far beyond those final bows. Our gratitude is deeper than the ocean. Thank you to Jena Schmidt, Denine Therrien, Richard and Valerie Schmidt, Angie Dufner, Judy McCroy, Susie Lovell, Hallie Facey, Tara Trebesch, Megan Burchard, Edith Garcia, Esmeralda Mera, Jaime Bercuson, Kela Martinez, Fabiana Cornejo, Manuel Clayton, and so many others! You gave our children their wings, or should we say, their fins. You guided them in finding their voices, sewed them into character, kept track of where they were, and pointed them toward the stage, perfectly timed to hit their cues.  Ms. Jena’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” was a heart-achingly beautiful show. It was a celebration of our community, its creativity and grit, and the joy created when we all come together for the arts.  Emily Hagn and Molly Miller McPolin Elementary School Parents The post Students put on poignant ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’ appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less