"Celebrating Mr. Nak!" a tribute program dedicated to the late James Nakamoto, theater teacher and stage director will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the McKinley High School auditorium.

Nakamoto taught drama at McKinley High School for almost three decades and directed productions at the school and in Honolulu and Los Angeles community theater. He died Oct. 9 at age 81.

The production is being staged by Nakamoto’s former students, some of whom have flown in from the mainland, as well as some now attending McKinley. Admission is free and the public is invited.

The event was organized by the McKinley Theatre Group Alumni Association, in cooperation with the school faculty and others in the Honolulu theater community. Donations raised beyond production costs are going to an account to benefit the use of the theater at the school.