“Tales from the Crypt” and its annual performances have become a tradition at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for students, faculty and community members. More than half of juniors taking U.S. History juniors request to participate in “Tales” each year, according to Chuck Yarborough, history instructor. Students complete rigorous research on a person buried in Friendship Cemetery and try to create a script that portrays part of the life of the person selected. Following auditions and weeks of practicing, students perform for the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Friday, April 8 marks the final production, which coincides with the annual Columbus Pilgrimage.

Whether a guide or a performer, students have a role to play for the final production in Friendship Cemetery.

“Practicing for “Tales” is not really hard. It is memorization of the script and gathering the props for the performance,” said Chinwe Udemgba, a performer.

The performers are required to find extra props — either at school or from home == that they feel might enhance their performance.

“A few of us re-wrote the guide script to make it easier to memorize and more entertaining to hear,” Cloie Garris said.

Students who were not selected to perform a skit were assigned to be guides. Several felt the guides’ script did not adequately describe the program of the state, so they grouped together to rewrite it.  

In the first three nights, the performance, “which has been our school’s most visible and consistent public event for years,” said Yarborough, has attracted a crowd of 1,140 people. 

“The students have exemplified what the research program turned public performance and community service has meant to Golden Triangle and MSMS for 26 years,” said Yarborough.  “I’m pleased that a rigorous research and writing project has such appeal.”

Friday evening’s performance kicks off MSMS Alumni weekend. More than 100 alumni are expected to view the performances.