Contact: Sarah Nicholas

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Theatre MSU will offer theatre connoisseurs a tale of spirits and sorcery during three presentations of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” April 11-13  at 7:30 p.m. in Mississippi State’s McComas Hall main stage theater. 

General admission tickets for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows are $12 for adults or $7 for students and can be purchased in advance at www.events.msstate.edu or at the door prior to each performance.

First performed in 1611, scholars believe the “The Tempest” is one of Shakespeare’s last written plays.  The five-act drama opens 12 years after Prospero – the rightful Duke of Milan – is marooned on an island with his daughter Miranda.  The deposed duke must choose between the desire for power or the freedom that comes with compassion. 

Under the direction of Tim Matheny, assistant professor of theatre in MSU’s Department of Communication, Theatre MSU will portray Shakespeare’s original plot with a new direction.  In a setting reminiscent of the 1930s Dust Bowl, the duke Prospero instead will be depicted as the duchess Prospera.

Matheny said the production utilizes a wide array of visually compelling elements, from a revolving stage to new projections and special effects to deliver the “emotional, visual and often funny story.”

“It’s been over two decades since Shakespeare has been produced at Theatre MSU,” Matheny said.  “I am particularly proud that ‘The Tempest’ has a majority student-lead design team.”

Theatre MSU is the producing organization of the theatre concentration in MSU’s Department of Communication. It is led by Cody Stockstill, assistant professor and coordinator of theatre.

“I’m thrilled that we are producing a full Shakespearean production here at Mississippi State University,” said Stockstill, the production’s scenic and lighting designer.  “I think this is a great opportunity for our students and community to experience this masterful work of theater.  As a close to our 2018-2019 season, ‘The Tempest’ promises an emotional and visual delight for audiences.”

For more information on Theatre MSU, contact Stockstill at 662-325-3320 or cstockstill@comm.msstate.edu. 

Learn more about MSU’s Department of Communication and its Theatre MSU program online at www.comm.msstate.edu. 

MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences includes more than 5,300 students, 300 full-time faculty members, nine doctoral programs and 25 academic majors offered in 14 departments. Complete details about the College of Arts and Sciences can be found at www.cas.msstate.edu. 

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.