The city and Main Street are expanding the award-winning Old Biloxi Cemetery Tour this year, and importing a director from Biloxi Little Theater to help organize everything.
“This year, we’re going to have several dozen travel writers from the Society of American Travel Writers witnessing our tour, so we wanted to make it quite a production,” said Laurie Rosetti, who researches the characters featured each year. “We’re going to go two days this year at the Biloxi city cemetery – on the afternoons of Oct. 22 and 29 – and we’re going to have a special tour to kick it all off, on Oct. 8 at the cemetery at Beauvoir.”
In addition, Judy Madden, who directs productions regularly at Biloxi Little Theater, will oversee the entire production.
This year’s event, themed “Biloxi Makes History,” will highlight historic individuals or those whose descendants changed the area or even the world.
Auditions for the city cemetery tour on Oct. 22 and 29 will be conducted at the Bond-Grant House, 932 Howard Ave., Biloxi on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. There will be roles for:
—5 Caucasian males of varying ages (French and Spanish accents are useful for some roles)
— 2 African-American males between the ages of 30 and 60
— 3 Caucasian females between the ages of 20 and 50 (German accent for one role)
— 1 African-American female between the ages of 20 and 35
Auditions for the Beauvoir tour on Oct. 8 will be at the Bond-Grant House on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. There will be roles for one Caucasian female between the ages of 50 and 75; and six Caucasian males between the ages of 40 and 75.
For a detailed description of the roles, email Laurie Rosetti at lrosetti@biloxi.ms.us or call her at 435-6370.
The Biloxi tour is produced by the city, Biloxi Bay Chamber, Biloxi Main Street, Biloxi Public Schools, the Biloxi Genealogy and Local History Library of the Biloxi Public Library, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Biloxi Little Theater.
Your help is needed for two relief efforts Saturday
Relief effort No. 1: Councilman Kenny Glavan reports that the Knights of Columbus are assisting with building a handicap ramp for a woman who lost her leg three weeks ago. Among the materials being sought are nine 8-foot 4x4s, 20 2x8s, 30 2x4x8s, and five sheets of three-quarter-inch 4×8 treated plywood. Those who can assist should contact Glavan at 228-223-3477. Added the councilman: “We need the help as soon as possible, as we’re looking to start work at 7 a.m. Saturday at the house on Summer Lane.”
Relief effort No. 2: Members of the Biloxi Fire Department, with support of the Fire Museum, will be helping with the clean-up of a home at 345 Randall Ave. that was heavily damaged by fire last Sunday. Off-duty firefighters and other volunteers will begin “gutting” the house Saturday morning at 7. The home had been occupied by a grandmother who was caring for six grandchildren. Said Deputy Chief John Jennings: “I can only promise three things: It will be hot, it will be dirty, and it will be very rewarding.” Those interested in helping can email John Jennings at jjennings@biloxi.ms.us or him at 228-435-6142.
