Walking across the field between headstones as the flowers bloom around them, nine figures in period attire make their way in front of a gathered crowd.
They aren’t ghosts; they are students from Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, and they are preparing to bring to life their own research for the 33rd annual Tales from the Crypt.
MSMS history teacher Chuck Yarborough has headed the nationally-recognized Tales from the Crypt program for 22 years, and though the premise is always the same — to teach about important local historical figures and events — the stories his students tell differ.
“Tales from the Crypt challenges students to tell the most complete history that they can uncover, and that has increasingly broadened with our access to more and more primary documents,” Yarborough said. “We’re proud of the fact that students from Tales from the Crypt learn all kinds of research, writing and collaborative skills, but they also learn what it’s about contributing to a community and being in service to a community.”
As part of the 83rd Annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage, there will be four performance days at Friendship Cemetery. Wednesday marks the first one of the season, and the next will be Friday. The final two will be April 19 and 21, and each program will be from 7 to 10 p.m. as different tours come through.
There are nine performances, and each tour of the performances should last about 45 minutes.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for all students from kindergarten through university, and they can be purchased online at preservecolumbus.com/events. They can also be purchased at the cemetery before the performance.
The proceeds from the sale of tickets go to charitable organizations chosen by the students, and Yarborough said over the last 10 years, more than $50,000 has been donated.
The performances are a culmination of student research that began in the fall. Each tells a story of a deceased person with local ties, either through the eyes of that person or someone who knew them.
LaDestiny Lemock, a junior from Greenwood, is telling the story of Harriett Staley Sprague through the eyes of her daughter, Edith “Daisy” Sprague Lawrence. Lemock will explore the challenges of being a middle-class woman in early 20th century Mississippi and the support found in women’s church-based organizations.
“I did Edith’s point-of-view because I recall talking to someone about my script, and they were like, ‘Do the daughter’s point-of-view,’” Lemock told The Dispatch. “I edited my script, and it worked. Through her point-of-view I can tell a larger story. I can tell what happened when (Harriett) Sprague was born and after she died. … Although my performance might seem like I’m just telling you information and not a clear story, there is a message there. Women have always struggled and continue to, but for some having God in their life and being in that religious setting helped them navigate through the hardships of being a woman.”
Yarborough said the students grow so much throughout the process from research to final performances. After the students complete a research paper, they write an audition script.
From there, the best are selected to develop their performance further, and the other students are sorted into production teams to bring the performances to life.
Sebastian Harvey, a junior from Starkville, did his initial research on Bessie Billups Johnston and her work with the Columbus Centennial Program from 1921. He said he found out her husband, Robert Edward Johnston, oversaw the program, so he will portray “R.E. Johnston.”
“I just want viewers to think about the role we play in our society when trying to better it,” Harvey said. “When we talk about history, we aren’t just informing people about the actions of the past but changing how we act in the future.”
Iysiahs York, a junior from Philadelphia, is portraying John Pitchlynn, an interpreter for the Choctaw Nation. York said as a Native American himself, he’s always wanted to be a representative of Native American history and culture.
“When Mr. Yarborough told me that there hasn’t been a performance strictly on Choctaw history, I was determined to be the first to do so,” York said. “I gravitated toward John Pitchlynn because his story gave insight into our welcoming culture, as John Pitchlynn wasn’t Choctaw but he grew up with our language and culture. … As a Native American, I love teaching people about my heritage. With my performance, I plan on doing just that. I hope the main takeaway is a new perspective on the land that the people of Columbus live and walk on.”
HOW TO GO
■ WHAT: Tales from the Crypt
■ WHEN: Wednesday, Friday and April 19 and 21 from 7 to 10 p.m.
■ WHERE: Friendship Cemetery, 4th St S, Columbus
■ HOW: Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 students kindergarten through university and can be purchased on-site or online at preservecolumbus.com/events
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion