For over three decades, the Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams festival has honored the life, work, and enduring legacy of one of America's most
celebrated playwrights, Tennessee Williams. Williams had deep ties to Clarksdale,
spending his childhood summers here with his maternal grandparents, Rev. and Mrs.
Walter E. Dakin. In his memoirs, he fondly described them as "the source of the greatest
support and kindness" in his life. His love for this region is evident in his numerous
references to Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta in his literary works.
Each year, our festival brings together professional actors, Williams scholars, educators, students, and enthusiasts from across the globe for a weekend of learning, sharing, and celebrating the arts. We are proud to offer a diverse range of programming, all designed to entertain, educate, and engage, and best of all, the festival remains free and open to the public.
The 32nd Annual Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival will take place from October 17-19, running Thursday through Saturday. This year, we are excited to feature *Spring Storm*, an early Williams play set in the fictional town of Port Tyler, Mississippi. Written between 1937 and 1938 while Williams was completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. The play centers on the intertwined lives and unfulfilled desires of four young individuals in a Delta town near the Mississippi River, reminiscent of Clarksdale. The play highlights local landmarks like Moon Lake, Friars Point, the Carnegie Public Library, and St. George's Episcopal Church, along with the distinctive character types that would later appear in many of Williams鈥� most famous works.
A highlight of the festival will be a performance of *Spring Storm* by the Tennessee Williams Theater Company of New Orleans, directed by Salvatore Mannino. This production will serve as the festival鈥檚 final porch play on Saturday afternoon, beginning around 4:30 p.m.
We have an incredible weekend planned, filled with memorable performances and engaging discussions that we are confident you will enjoy. Thanks to generous grants and sponsorships totaling over $30,000, including support from the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi Arts Commission, Visit Mississippi, Visit Clarksdale, and our lead sponsor, 甜瓜app, we are able to continue offering this festival at no cost.
These grants, made possible by ongoing support from the Mississippi State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Coahoma County Tourism Commission, and other arts and educational organizations, ensure that this cultural celebration remains accessible to all.
For more details about the festival, including a look back at previous years, visit our website at DeltaWilliamsFestival.com. For further information, please contact Jen Waller at 662-645-3555 or via email at jwaller@coahomacc.edu.