A day after a tornado touched down in northwest Howard County last week, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Mount Hebron High School's auditorium.

Girls in red dresses and boys dressed as Santa Claus danced on stage, artificial trees were decked with lights and ornaments and the cast and crew of Howard County Summer Theatre were preparing for the group's production of “Irving Berlin's White Christmas,” which continues this week at the Ellicott City school.

“It's more fun to decorate now than in December,” said Delia Chiu, a member of the company, as she added garlands to a tree.

Since its production of “Guys and Dolls” in 1975, Howard County Summer Theatre has routinely produced musicals for the community. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the group's collaboration with the Howard County Public School System, and the troupe signed a deal this month for another 10-year collaboration.

“We celebrated our 10th anniversary by renewing it,” said Ellen Flynn Giles, vice chairwoman of Howard County Board of Education.

As she sat and watched a rehearsal last week, Giles sang along with the group.

‘It is a wonderful part of the community,” she said of the Summer Theatre. “I love it.”

Roy Appletree, co-coordinator of Prepare for Success, an organization that collects school supplies for students in need, said the theater organization has helped the nonprofit over the years.

“Last year, they gave us $4,000,” Appletree said. “In terms of the productions, it's outstanding. We look forward to it.”

For many in the cast, Summer Theatre has become a family affair, with siblings, spouses and parents and children acting together. This year's production of “White Christmas” — based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney — is no different.

“My sister is in the show and my best friend,” said Kassi Mattera, a 2008 graduate of Mount Hebron who now lives in Annapolis. “I've been involved with Summer Theatre since I moved here from Texas in 2004. I love it. There is such a sense of community.”

Brothers Justin and Nathan Moe have been a part of the troupe for years, too. This year, the two are sharing the lead roll of Phil, each performing it four times.

“Double casts have challenges, but the advantage is we get to work together at home and help each other with our lines,” said Justin, 27. “It's been enjoyable.”

Sharing the role of Phil has a sentimental element for the brothers from Ellicott City.

“We've always enjoyed Danny Kaye as an actor and my grandfather did, too. We would watch Danny Kaye movies with him,” Justin said. “Both Nathan and I want to dedicate this role to him.”

Marloe Lippert of Ellicott City, who is performing in the show, said she's particularly grateful to share the experience with her daughter, Camden, 11, who is also in the production.

“I get to do what I love — singing, dancing and being with my sweet daughter,” Lippert said. “It's a great opportunity. It's a family affair.”

As she hopped around the back of the auditorium doing splits, Camden, who plays the role of Susan in the show, was all smiles.

“I really enjoy working with everyone,” Camden said. “I really like being Susan. She's very energetic and that's sort of my personality.”

Tom Sankey has been the director of the Summer Theatre since 1982. “White Christmas” will be his 34th production.

“Isn't that crazy?” Sankey said, laughing. “I enjoy it very much.”

“It's a wonderful group of people,” he said. “There are a variety of ages. Our youngest actor is 10 to our oldest is in the 70s. It is so wonderful to see the young kids to the teens to the young adults and senior citizens work together in a production. It gives me energy.”

Libby Burgess first saw a Howard County Summer Theatre production when she attended “Les Miserables” in 2014. As a cast member of another theater group that was putting on the same show, she was impressed with the Summer Theatre's production. She has been even more impressed with the cast's welcoming of her.

“Everyone is super friendly. It felt like family the third day of rehearsals,” said Burgess, of Parkton. “As one of the newbies, I was flattered to get a lead role.”

Burgess, 22, plays the role of Judy, alternating it with Mattera.

A fan of the movie, Sankey has wanted to produce “White Christmas” since seeing it on Broadway. He said he's looking forward to sharing “Christmas in July.”

“It is something new, something different. We're trying to make it the holidays ... in Mount Hebron,” he said. “We've decorated the lobby. We're trying to get the feel.”

“White Christmas is a certainly a family show that will be enjoyed by all ages,” Sankey said. ”It is really a wonderful community event.”

Howard County Summer Theatre's production of “Irving Berlin's White Christmas” continues July 3 at 2 p.m. and July 6, 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. at Mount Hebron High School, 9440 Old Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Tickets are $17; $13 for ages 11 and under and senior citizens. For details, go to howardcountysummertheatre.org.