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Volunteer comments on importance of preserving cultural identity
High praise for the 17th annual Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival from student actors and regional professionals to veteran scholars continues to inundate Coahoma Community College’s campus via emails, notes, letters, and phone calls.
“The diversity of this celebration honoring America’s great playwright – from live drama, porch plays, blues music and readings to elegant receptions is amazing,” offers one participant.
Michelle Bright, an energetic graduate student from the University of Mississippi who served as a volunteer writes, “It is always a pleasure to come to Clarksdale and even more so when I attend the Tennessee Williams Festival.”
“But this year, I really felt I came away with more of an understanding of the way of life that Williams fought diligently to preserve or simply record. I want to thank all who welcomed us into the community for giving me that experience.”
She talks about the importance of communities retaining qualities that make them distinctive.
“As much as I love the literary aspect of Williams’ work, I am beginning to see myself using my knowledge and appreciation of his work to help cultivate interest in the festival, and, thus, preserve the importance of cultural identity that Williams valued.”
The 2009 festival expanded its emphasis on performances and incorporated readings even within the literary conference and its assembly of distinguished scholars..
Following the keynote address on “Spring Storm” and other Delta plays by Kenneth Holditch came readings from the play by theatre professionals: Erma Duricko and Timothy Brown of New York City, and Jeff Glickman of Pensacola portraying central characters: Heavenly Crutchfield, Arthur and Dick..
Commentary on their characterizations and the play itself reflected the diverse academic and theatrical backgrounds of the scholar panel moderated by University of Mississippi English professor Colby Kullman.
He was joined by other English professors: Ralph Voss of the University of Alabama, Annette Saddik of the New York College of Technology, Ann Fisher-Wirth and Travis Montgomery of Ole Miss, and theatre director David Kaplan of New York City, curator of the Provincetown Williams Festival.
Playing excerpts from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” the BBC documentary, producer Carmel Lonergan enthralled the audience with scenes and comments recorded in 2008 and with her observations of the documentary’s impact on its audience of 13 million listeners in the UK.
The conference moved to Oakhurst Middle School’s large auditorium in downtown Clarksdale for more performances interspersed with acoustic music by blues guitarist Daddy Rich and interaction between the actors and audiences following their stage appearances.
Opening the evening was Oxford actor Johnny McPhail performing a scene set in Clarksdale’s Alcazar Hotel from the play, “The Last of My Solid Gold Watches.”
Jeff Glickman portrayed Jake from “27 Wagons Full of Cotton,” while Erma Duricko and Tim Brown gave readings from “Eccentricities of a Nightingale,” and New York actor Joel Vig joined her for another reading from the same play.
The finale starred Broadway star Tammy Grimes in “Portrait of a Madonna” and also included Clarksdale residents Richard Dickson, George Murphy, Glynda Duncan, and Joseph Scruggs, a Coahoma premed student.
Clarksdale’s historic Clark House, built in 1859 by city founder John Clark, was the setting for an elegant buffet featuring grilled lamb kabobs, shrimp, salmon with salsa, miniature layered turkey sandwiches, spinach dips, fruits and chocolate desserts prepared by CCC’s Chef Robert Rhymes and his culinary students.
Entertainment included CCC’s award-winning men’s ensemble directed by Kelvin Towers presenting signature Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson selections, and monologues by Hernando High School students.
Actor/musician Jeff Glickman performed the “Blues Ballads” of Tennessee Williams on guitar.
Saturday’s dual agenda included scholarly talks by Annette Saddik and Thomas Keith of New York City, editor of New Directions Publishing at Oakhurst Middle School and the lively student drama competition at Coahoma Community College’s Georgia Lewis Theatre.
More than 100 students from nine schools ranging from Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Brandon to Oxford, Hernando, and Clarksdale performed monologues and scenes from Williams plays in competition for trophies and $2,500 in cash prizes for their school drama departments.
Judges were Dr. Ann Fisher-Wirth, English professor, actor, and author from the University of Mississippi; Johnny McPhail, professional actor from Oxford who starred in the 2008 Sundance Film Festival movie, “Ballast,” and professional actor and public radio speaker Joe Bonelli from New Orleans.
Despite chill weather, Saturday afternoon’s porch plays drew crowds in the historic district where actors included Hernando High School’s Drama Club, Johnny McPhail, Jeff Glickman, Alice Walker of Oxford, and Sherrye Williams of Clarksdale.
Visitors toured the Cutrer Mansion, model of “Belle Reve” for coffee and dessert and a tour directed by Lois McMurchy, director of the Coahoma Higher Education Center.
St. George’s Episcopal Church organist David A. Williamson presented an organ recital, and the Clarksdale Women’s Club welcomed visitors with refreshments and hospitality at their open house.
Clarksdale Station was the setting Saturday evening for the festival finale honoring student drama contest winners recreating their performances, a barbecue supper, talks by theatre professionals, and entertainment for listening and dancing by the Eddie Lee Coleman Blues Band.
Acting winners were:
Monologue competition: 1st place, $500, Adam Flarhatey of Hernando High School; 2nd place, $200, Anne-Marie Herod of Lafayette High in Oxford; 3rd place, $100, Logan Little, Oak Grove High; honorable mention, Maggie Baker, Hernando High.
Scene competition: 1st place, $700, Lafayette High, Oxford; 2nd place, $400, Oak Grove High; 3rd place, $200, Hernando High; and honorable mention: Northwest Rankin
Stella Calling Contest: Male, $100, Jackieven Brown, Coahoma Agricultural High; and Female, $100, Maggie Baker, Hernando High
Best Costume: $100, Alyse Malavasi, Hernando High
Judges Award Winner: $100, Zach Burton, Northwest Rankin |
