FARMINGTON — There was a king, a queen and a talking cat on stage Thursday as members of Children’s Summer Theater rehearsed for their musical production of “Puss In Boots.”

Performances take place at 7 p.m. August 2 and 3 in Nordica Auditorium at the University of Maine at Farmington.

That gives director Debbie Hiltz and her crew just two weeks to prepare 34 children for their debut.

The camp started Monday and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon  Monday through Friday through August 2 in Nordica Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Mt. Blue Music Boosters, the camp helps promote music and art during the summer, Kim Jacques said as she drew backgrounds for the youngsters to paint.

The annual summer theater did not take place last year so it’s like starting over this year, Hiltz said.

Although Hiltz hasn’t directed a play since the 1980s, the teacher of gifted and talented classes in RSU 9 schools has a strong background in theater, “a lot of theater,” she said.

Along with teaching, she’s been involved with many school productions and taken roles herself with Sandy River Players.

She’s taking the two-week summer camp in stride, bolstered by her crew, Julia Hennessey, Kim Jacques, Kasey Mills, Erika Gray and Hiltz’s son, Levi Hiltz. 

They help with art, music and production as Jacques has some students in one room painting background scenes she just drew while Mills has a group in another room practicing songs.

A total of 38 children signed up for camp, the number was down to 34 by Thursday but all will be in the production, Hiltz said. The children auditioned for parts Monday.

Tickets for the shows are available at the door. They are $6 for adults/seniors and $4 for students/children.

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