DOWAGIAC — Beckwith Theatre is hosting its fourth annual summer youth production this summer. This mini theater camp lasts about 10 to 12 days and is free to students. Students ages 12 to 18 from various schools have participated in the family friendly performance. Everything is run by the students, stage crew, actors and actresses.

Most of the students are involved in band or choir but not theater, said Ryan Murray, assistant to the performance. The camp was designed to introduce students to drama.

“The kids audition and I assign the roles,” said director Jack Gannon. “Every year there are great kids.”

Gannon said that children come to the camp shy but then he watches them blossom.

Gannon and his team prepare a presentation at Dowagiac Middle School and Dowagiac Union High School to get the word out but the program is open to students including from all schools.

The name of the production that the students will be performing this year is “Unmurdered.” It will be at Beckwith Theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. The performance is free and open to the public. (Leader photos/EMILY SOBECKI)