The Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA) will be working with a new partner at their 2011 Festival and Play Writing Competition at Meridian’s MSU Riley Center in January according to MTA Executive Director Stephen Cunetto.

    “The Mississippi Theatre Association is very pleased and excited to be partnering with the Mississippi Writers Guild (MWG). Through our partnership we have identified ways that these two statewide organizations can work together to promote programs and services as well as provide additional support and recognition to Mississippi playwrights. We were very pleased and honored to receive a grant from the Mississippi Writers Guild in support of the MTA Playwriting Competition. We greatly appreciate these funds as they will assist MTA in providing awards to two outstanding playwrights.”

The Mississippi Theatre Association has been in business in its present structure since the early ’70s but dates back to the mid ’50s as the Mississippi Little Theatre Association. MWG President Ralph Gordon said: “We are looking forward to working with the MTA. I can see where the two organizations can complement each other in advancing their agendas. This partnership will extend beyond the Festival as we have other projects and goals for 2011. The Guild’s mission is ‘Advancing and Preserving the Literary Arts in Mississippi,’ and what better way to accomplish this than partnering with other organizations with similar goals.”

 For more information on the Festival visit the Mississippi Theatre Association at www.mta-online.org.