The sounds of Shakespeare are echoing through Johnson Instituteas Mississippi School of the Arts drama students prepare for theirfirst production later this month.

MSA Drama, the school’s theatre education program, will presentWilliam Shakespeare’s first play, “A Comedy of Errors,”Friday-Sunday, March 27-28, and Friday-Sunday, April 2-4. Fridayand Saturday show times are at 7 p.m. and Sunday show times are at3 p.m.

Students have been putting in many hours getting ready for theproduction. MSA theatre instructor and director Ken Bolinskycompared the process to chemistry students putting what they learnin class to use in the lab.

“This is their production,” Bolinsky said. “For them, what theylearn in class prepares them for the play.”

The production will be held in the Theatre Studio of the JohnsonInstitute. Tickets are $5 and seating is limited to 60 perperformance.

Jennifer Jackson, MSA director of marketing and development,said tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance from theMSA Foundation office at 823-1317. Reservations may be made overthe telephone using a credit or debit card.

As a bonus for Brookhaven Little Theatre season ticket holders,they may use their season tickets to see the MSA play.

Due to limited seating, BLT season ticket holders will need tomake reservations and pick up their tickets from the developmentoffice on the MSA campus, Jackson said. Only MSA play tickets willbe accepted at the door on the nights of the production.

Shakespeare’s play is based on the ancient Roman play, “TheMenachmae,” by Plautus.

The Plautus play is a tale of two twins who are separated atbirth and later find each other through a series of comicalmishaps. Shakespeare added a second set of twins to his production,Bolinsky said.

Bolinsky is looking forward to the production and was pleasedwith the students’ progress in learning their roles.

“It’s been going very well,” Bolinsky said. “For kids who camein afraid of Shakespeare, I know they’re actors who can actit.”

Members of the cast include:

* Laura Elaine Allen, of Meridian – first merchant, secondmerchant.

* Timbre Brewer, of Natchez – Dromio E.

* Rebecca Campbell, of Brookhaven – announcer.

* Langston Darby, of Laurel – Dromio S.

* Stephen Davis Jr., of Brookhaven – Antipholos S.

* Carolyn Hardin, of Waveland – Antipholos E.

* Nich Hart, of Bogue Chitto – Aegeon/Dr. Pinch.

* Kerri Key, of Oxford – Luciana.

* Luralee Lelli, of Laurel – Nell/Courtesan.

* Katie Reddin, of Biloxi – Abbess.

* Amber Latrice Rhodes, of Meridian – Adriana.

* Marcus O. Roberts, of Port Gibson – Angelo.

* Isaac White, of Columbia – jailer/officer/messenger.

* Reed Whitney, of Vicksburg – Solinus/Balthazar.

* Mary Alston, of Ocean Springs – stage manager.