Submitted Photo The cast of “Sally Sells Seashells and You Can, Too” breaks into song onstage June 23 at the Village Arts Center. From left are Beatrice Towe, Sophia Borgen, Emma Kuntz, Adaline Westphal, Hadassah Hernandez, Leah Goyne, Olivia Towe, Evelyn Roberts, Sierra Heilman, Adrian Petrovich, Helen Medalen, Oaklynn Dillow and Gabby Dillow.

Village Arts Children’s Theater took audience members to the beach presenting, “Sally Sells Seashells and You Can, Too” at the Village Arts Center.

The cast of youngsters told the story of Sally, played by Leah Goyne, who begins the play as a temporary resident of a small beach town. With few real friends, Sally decides to make some quick money by taking advantage of the trust of the town’s children.

Sally devises a sales plan and pitches it with extravagant promises.

“I can help you achieve the level of success you’ve always dreamed of,” Sally says. “By the time you’re done with this course, you’ll make Alexander the Great look like Alexander, Well, I guess he’s okay.”

Before the June 23 show began, the cast and crew invited the audience to sing “Happy Birthday” to Evelyn Roberts, who played Slater, the sister of Sally’s friend Tam.

Jill Roberts, the play’s director, praised fine arts such as theater for their value to children.

“They’re a wonderful tool for personal development, building confidence, improving communication skills and focus, coordination and empathy,” she said. “It’s a great place to make friends, and it’s a lot of fun.”

“But, it can’t happen without the support of our community,” she said. “We are very blessed and grateful for our sponsors and the North Dakota Council on the Arts as well as Village Arts Board for providing the building doing all the building maintenance.”

“We’re also very grateful for our volunteers and parents who have been bringing their kids faithfully and helping with the various things that we tasked them with,” she added.

Roberts also thanked set artist Julia Petrovich and light and sound crew members Steve Dockter, Josh Dockter and Marnell Sobolik.

Other cast and crew members were Olivia Towe as Tam; Emma Kunts as Ash and Emerson; Hadassah Hernandez as Poppy, Quinn and Aubrey; Sophia Borgen as Mabel and Forrest; Addy Westphal as Zander and Regina; Beatrice Towe as Hudson and Bella; Gabby Dillow as Devon; Adrian Petrovich as Alex; Sierra Heilman as Leela and August; Helen Medalen as Jemma and Oaklyn Dillow as Kara.

Melanie Towe managed the stage, assisted by Evelyn Roberts, Haley Mayer and Caitlyn Towe choreographed the dance scenes, and Chad Hager and Anthony Benson helped with set design and art.

Roberts also invited audience members to send their children in grades first through eighth to A Week of the Arts Summer Camp, which will be held at the Village Arts Center July 17-21 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. For more information on A Week of the Arts Summer Camp, call (701) 989-4514.