Fredericksburg Independent School District’s (FISD) Community Education department will host a theater camp this summer to be held June 1-25. The month-long summer camp will culminate in performances of Beetlejuice Jr. The camp and performances will be held at the Fredericksburg High School Auditorium.

Kids from grades 2nd to 12th are eligible to join the camp. Kids do not need to be enrolled in FISD, it is open to all. Registration costs $160 and is open until the start of camp on June 1. The summer theater camp will be from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more or to register, visit fisd. org/our-district/departments/ communityed.

Landon Priess, a former community education camper, will be taking the reins as this year’s director.

“[Community Education Theater Camp] started as a way for kids to get more invested in theater and give them a chance outside of school to explore musical theater and be part of a show.”

Beetlejuice Jr. was planned for last year’s community education theater camp. However, longtime director Bob Straus had died soon before. Priess said they decided to do the play this year in his honor.

“It was a show that was very dear to him. It was the last show he was going to do for Community Ed, so we wanted to honor that for him and continue out his dream,” Priess said.

The musical performances are set for Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27 at 7 p.m., as well as a show on Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m.

“It’s a great way, if your child is interested in theater or newer to theater, to get a good understanding of how you build a show, how you put it together, learning stage directions, how to act, how to sing. It’s just a really well grounded education in the art, for a very short time commitment,” Priess said. “It’s a very, very welcoming environment. Everyone is there to learn and most important to have fun,” said Priess.

-Hondo “You can’t forget memories.”