Blinn-Brenham Theatre Arts Program to feature 'Plays of Biblical Proportions' in 2024-25 season

Selections include comedies, musical, children's play

August 12, 2024

The Blinn College-Brenham Campus Theatre Arts Program will present four plays of Biblical proportions during its 2024-25 season.

“We’re excited about the performance schedule,” said Brad Nies, Theatre Arts Professor. “We have chosen four plays that range from comedies to a children’s play. Our students and faculty work hard every season to present plays that appeal to the public, and we know they’ll enjoy the performances.”

This season’s student performances include:

• “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged),” 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6;
• “Children of Eden,” 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24;
• “James and the Giant Peach,” 7 p.m. Feb. 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23;
• and “God’s Favorite,” 7 p.m. May 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. May 3 and 4.

All performances will be held at the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center at 600 Blinn Boulevard. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Blinn students and children. They are available online at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice, by calling 979-830-4024, or emailing [email protected].

In addition to the plays, the program’s improvisation troupe “Slaphappy” will perform Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the O’Donnell Center.

Nies said the program is also reviving its Ten-Minute Play Festival on March 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. and March 29, 2025, at 2 p.m. Area high school students will submit original 10-minute plays designed to inspire, enlighten, and entertain audiences.

The 2024-25 performances will include entries into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) and the Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association Play Festival (TCCSTA).

“Children of Eden” will be Blinn’s KCACTF entry, and “James and the Giant Peach” will be its TCCSTA entry.

“The Bible: The Complete Word of God” is a hilarious comedy that is suitable for ages 13 and up, Nies said. The play will be directed by Jennifer Patrick, Theatre Arts Instructor. She also will serve as costume, makeup, and hair designer for each show. Nies will direct the other plays.

Kevin Patrick, Technical Theatre Arts Professor, will be technical director for each show. Jill Stewart, Instrumental Music Coordinator and Clarinet Professor, will serve as musical director for “Children of Eden” and will have a featured role in that play.

“Children of Eden” is an “incredible musical” based on the Book of Genesis, Nies said. It is suitable for all ages.

“The age-old conflict of parents and children takes the stage in an epic, heartfelt musical written by the same artist who brought to the stage such works as ‘Wicked,’ ‘The Prince of Egypt,’ ‘Pippen,’ and ‘Godspell,’” he added.

Dr. Daniel Johnson, Blinn Voice and Choir Professor and lyric baritone, will have a featured role in “Children of Eden.”

“James and the Giant Peach” is based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl.

“This is the amazing adventure of James Henry Trotter, a wise old grasshopper, a kindly ladybug, a motherly spider, and a wise-cracking centipede,” Nies said. “It will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. It too is suitable for all ages.”

“God’s Favorite” will end the 2024-25 season. It is suitable for ages 13 and up.

“This satirical comedy was written by renowned playwright Neil Simon,” said Nies. “It’s a comic retelling of the Book of Job about a successful businessman, husband, and father who is visited by a messenger from God. When he refuses to renounce God, he is visited by all the afflictions – comedic or otherwise – imaginable.”

Area schools are invited to free preview performances for each of the plays. School officials are asked to contact Nies at [email protected] with the plays they would like to attend and how many students they anticipate bringing.

That schedule includes “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)” on Oct. 3, “Children of Eden” on Nov. 21, “James and the Giant” on Feb. 20 and 21, and “God’s Favorite” on May 1.

Blinn’s Theatre Arts Program cultivates a quality educational foundation of study, application, and experience through a wide range of performance, technical, and production studies. Students have an opportunity to audition for a variety of performances related to drama and theatre, and are prepared to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/theatre.