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Institute for Southern Storytelling student volunteers get The MAX out of filming Hall of Fame special

The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX) Hall of Fame induction ceremony, filmed by students in the Institute for Southern Storytelling at Mississippi College, is scheduled to air on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television stations.

Shot live at the Mississippi State University Riley Center in Meridian, the program will be broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 8 p.m. on Friday, June 13, and 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. Robert St. John, renowned restaurateur, author, philanthropist and co-founder of the Institute for Southern Storytelling at MC, served as host of the special.

The show features the induction of William “Bill” Ferris, folklorist, author and educator from Vicksburg who is an advisory board member for the Institute for Southern Storytelling; Shelby Foote, historian and fiction writer from Greenville; Bobbie Gentry, singer and songwriter from Woodland; Mac McAnally, musician, singer and songwriter from Belmont; and Natasha Trethewey, author, poet and educator from Gulfport, into The MAX Hall of Fame. It includes musical performances by McAnally, the Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band and Tricia Walker.

Six MC students – Nathan Brock, Kaylee Ellis, Elizabeth Kessel, Camden Reed, Cole Short and Sydney Thaxton – served as camera operators for the production.

“Events like The MAX Hall of Fame ceremony allows MC students opportunities to interact with and be inspired by writers, musicians, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs from Mississippi who have achieved notable things on the world stage,” said Amy Thaxton, executive director of the Institute for Southern Storytelling. “We always strive to highlight the power of effective storytelling in all venues.

“No matter what career path or field of study a person chooses, the ability to craft a compelling story is an important skill to hone.”

She said the Institute has partnered with The MAX on several projects. Her husband, Anthony Thaxton, an MC graduate, Southeast Emmy Award-winning documentarian and co-founder and adjunct faculty member in the Institute for Southern Storytelling, produced opening vignettes about each of the five Hall of Fame inductees for the program. His artwork adorned the event’s promotional materials.

Enacted by Senate Bill 2666 to provide an educational, entertaining and interactive facility in Meridian to celebrate Mississippians’ contributions to arts and entertainment, The MAX showcases Mississippi’s global legacy in every area of the arts, honors the state’s legends in arts and entertainment and inspires tomorrow’s artists through exhibitions, performances, classes and events.

The Institute for Southern Storytelling at Mississippi College is an interdisciplinary approach to storytelling through studying the Southern experience. It gives MC students a place to become apprentice filmmakers and storytellers with professional collaborators. MC faculty are engaged as advisors and creative associates.

The Institute partners with other creative institutions to promote workshops, projects, and screenings, garner collaborative strength and integrity, recruit future students, and celebrate everything positive about the Southern experience.