Whitefish Theatre Co. invites the community to join them in celebrating and honoring Nancy Nei as she retires as artistic director.

An open house celebration will be held at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 16. Complimentary dessert and beverages will be served, and wine and beer will be available for purchase.

The public is welcome, and former students, fellow teachers, fellow actors and friends are encouraged to bring their memories, photos and stories for a memory book being compiled for Nei.

Nei is one of Whitefish Theatre Co.’s founding members. She has enjoyed a rich life in the theater as an actor, a director, a teacher of theater and literary arts at Whitefish High School for 31 years and artistic director of the theater company for 10 years.

Whitefish Theatre Co. anticipates having Nei as a guest director and actor in upcoming years. Nei mentored Jesse DeVine, Whitefish Theatre Co.’s new artistic director, in a transition year during 2011-12, as well as directing “The 39 Steps,” “Faith Healer” and “33 Variations.”  During the 2012-13 season, Nei will be directing “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Call Whitefish Theatre Co. at 862-5371 for any questions, or visit the box office at the O’Shaughnessy Center, 1 Central  Ave., Whitefish.