A troupe of talented young thespians will bring a classic Disney story to life on the stage of the historic Turnage Theater in Washington.

“101 Dalmatians Kids” will be presented twice on Saturday, according to Beaufort County Arts Council Executive Director Joey Toler. BCAC is presenting the production, which is the culmination of this summer’s theater camp for children. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and tickets are $5.

“This is our inaugural Broadway Kids Camp,” Toler said. “Because we’re in the Turnage now, we can do shows like this. One of my visions is to have an ongoing, year round children’s theater here and this is a way to plant that seed, to kind of test the waters a little bit.”

The camp began July 14 and runs for three weeks, meeting three hours each day for five days a week. Directing the production is Neva Cashion. owner of Inner Banks Music Academy Inc. in Washington. Cashion is no stranger to children’s theater; she taught at P.S. Jones Middle School in Washington for 30 years and she directed the annual theater production there before her retirement last year.

Youngsters taking part in the camp range in age from that of a rising kindergarten student to those entering ninth grade next month, according toCashion. All of the more than two dozen students are involved in the production.

“It’s just a good show for such a wide range in years,” Cashion said of the musical. “It’s a charming show that, I think, will appeal to all ages.”

Ja’Nya O’Neal, 12, a student at Chocowinity Middle School, is cast as Perdita. She has performed previously in church plays and aspires to be a professional actress.

“I like singing and dancing,” she said during a break in rehearsals. “This camp is fun and we get to do a whole lot of stuff.”

Like Ja’Nya, 14-year-old Eric Martinez hopes for a career on the stage and he said the camp is getting him off to a good start.

“Acting is fun … I love it,” said Eric, who recently completed eighth grade at P.S. Jones Middle School. “I’m getting more experience, and I’m enjoying the opportunity to act.”

Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased at the Turnage box office or by calling 252-946-2504. General admission tickets will also be available at the door one hour before each performance.

“This is the beginning of children’s theater at the Turnage, and hopefully before too long we can do some live theater with adults, as well,” Toler said.

SIDE BAR: Who’s Who in “101 Dalmatians Kids”

 Cast: Mary Grace Wilder, Amelia Woolard, Ben Crawford, Mary Belle Johnson, Kelli Cooper, Darah Cole, Christina Leach, Sidney Selby, HaileyRespess, Claire Holmes, Hannah Mosher, Aubrey Powell, Jenny Walker, Oliver Olsen, Ja’Nya O’Neal, Eric Martinez, John Singleton, Cassandra Sanchez, Lillie Tyler, Izzy Smith, Chris Gachuz, Tatum Biggs, Maggie Wilder, Ben Gachuz, Rogelio Meza and Ana Stout.

Crew: Neva Cashion, director; LeAnna Holmes, assistant director; Tim Cashion and Neva Cashion, set design and construction; Stuart Lannon, sound/lighting; Eric Martinez, preshow announcer; and Hailey Respess, stage manager.

Special thanks to Joey Toler and Catherine Partrick.