Skip to main content

Midsummer Night’s Dream Opens at Mississippi College


Senior Charlie Bell to play the role of Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream

One of William Shakespeare’s most popular works, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will soon come to the stage at Mississippi College.

Written in 1595-96, the romantic comedy tells the story of the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, the Amazon Queen. The slapstick production features fairies, sublime poetry and much more. The play showcases an outstanding MC student cast. Two MC faculty and staff members are part of the cast as well.

The MC Department of Communication production will be open to the university family as well as the public.

Communication professor Phyllis W. Seawright will direct the hilarious production. Set for February 16-19 at Swor Auditorium, the play remains the centerpiece of the Christian university’s 39th annual Shakespeare Festival.

No doubt, Shakespeare’s funny play will become the perfect cure for anybody suffering from the midwinter doldrums, Seawright notes. An MC graduate, the Brandon resident will stay busy leading rehearsals the next couple of weeks.

The first show will be 10 a.m. February 16 with a 7 p.m. production on the Clinton campus booked that Thursday evening. Audiences will be treated to two shows the same times on Friday. The production on February 18 opens at 7 p.m. Saturday. The festival’s final show will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday February 19.

Audiences missing the stage production in Clinton can rent the 1999 movie of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Michael Hoffman.

But there’s really nothing like seeing Shakespeare’s words brought to life on stage at Mississippi College. The delightful play takes audiences to the middle of the royal fairy row between Titania and Oberon.

Among major roles, MC student Ian Campbell of Clinton stars as Duke Theseus, while Natalie Fehrenbacher of Brandon is featured as Queen Hippolyta. Katrinka Wayne of Vicksburg is cast as Hermia. Charlie Bell of Prattville, Alabama takes on the role of Lysander, while James Gibson of Meridian is cast as Demetrius.

Serving as director of MC’s Office of Student Success, Clinton resident Terry Dent plays the role of Starveling the tailor. Math professor Tommy Leavelle of Clinton adds a great deal to the lineup as Snout, the tinker.

Among other talented students in the production: Kat Tate of Dallas, Texas provides comic relief as Puck, Hosea Griffith of Jackson plays Oberon, and Gabrielle Hyde of Chelsea, Alabama is cast as Titania.

The Mississippi College Shakespeare Festival was created by George Pittman and his wife, Alicia, both MC graduates. George Pittman served as a longtime MC English Department chairman. He died in January 2014 at age 76. Alicia Pittman is a resident of Aledo, Texas. She often returns to her alma mater in Clinton to attend the festival, Homecoming and other big events.

Tickets cost $7 for students and $10 for adults. The price includes refreshments at intermission in the lobby of Nelson Hall. For more information, contact Phyllis Seawright at 601-925-3453 or seawrigh@mc.edu