This week, 30 Boothbay Region Y Arts youth performers and 40 adults – parents, grandparents, uncles and a few siblings – are bound for Sacramento, California where Y Arts will compete for the first time in iTheatrics’ Junior Theater Festival West, established in 2017. This year marks the 13th large scale competition for the group led by Y Arts director Emily Mirabile.

But, before take off, as is now tradition, the Y Arts group performed its piece from “Finding Nemo JR” to the community at Boothbay Region YMCA on Sunday, Feb. 2. And it was met with thunderous applause, accented with whoops and hollers from the audience of nearly 100.

“Overall (the competition) is the same as Atlanta,” said Mirabile, “but it will have that new festival feel with the different location and different groups competing against our kids. Five performers are attending an event such as this for the very first time.”

The group’s adjudication piece had been performed in its entirety last summer as one of the Y Arts camp shows. “We all loved the show and the music so I knew it was the perfect piece for our group.”

Mirabile directed, music directed, and choreographed the group’s competition piece. Student choreographers are Sarah Harris and Trey Tibbetts who helped with sections of the 15-minute piece, including designing lifts and tricks.

Mirabile’s husband Nick Mirabile has been assistant director. “He attended some of the rehearsals to give me a ‘second eye’ and has helped the group up their acting skills for this year's event, taking notes on spots that needed attention.”

The cast of 30 are Spencer Pottle as Nemo’s father “Marlin,” Oscar Mirabile as “Nemo;” Sarah Harris as crowd favorite “Dory;” Scout Martin, Agatha Harris and Trey Tibbetts as the “lead Sharks;” Hamilton Pierpan, Imij Armstead, Nathalie Wilson, Fiona Bishop and Jessie Ullo as the “Tank Gang;” Sophia Mansfield, Sofia Michaud, Collin Cantillo and Lily Billings as “groovy Turtles;" and Sloan Nelson as “Professor Ray.” Anderson Pierpan, Allison Smart, Evelyn Michaud, Grace Olcott, Emily Smart, Isla Sullivan, Gilles Urwin, Ford Harris, Finn Sullivan, Violet Baldwin, Enilea Burns, Kyleigh Cole, Lucie Hollonnand Lina Minzner are the ensemble members, playing a myriad of roles.

Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) senior Spencer Pottle has been in Y Arts shows since his grammar school years. “Spencer does a wonderful job leading the group with his kind demeanor and consistently heartfelt performances,” said Mirabile. “It is truly a special moment for him to now be playing the father to my own son in the piece. We will miss Spencer very much when he graduates.”

Mirabile also noted this is the final Y Arts competition for BRHS senior Imij Armstead. “Imij joined the team a few years ago and has been a steady talent leading the team to previous victories with her strong dance abilities and powerful voice. This year she is playing “Gill” and leads the "tank gang" out of the tank to help Nemo find his dad.” 

Y Arts actors bound for Sacramento are ages 7-17 with the youngest, Isla Sullivan (competing for a second time) and Pottle the eldest.

Mirabile, the actors and their families are packing for seven to 12 hours of travel with some flying out Wednesday the 5th and the others on the 6th.

“Fingers crossed that everyone arrives at the hotel without any delays or mishaps,” said Mirabile adding, “All the performers have been instructed to pack all of their costume pieces in their carry-ons!”

As the audience left the preview, comments included being proud, and that the group really should get the trophy.