Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe is 'Going for Gold' in its 2025-26 season

The Troupe will stage Gracie Gardner’s 'Athena' in the fall and the musical 'The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee' in the spring

September 12, 2025

The Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe (BBTT) embraces the spirit of competition and adolescent antics for its 2025-26 season. Following the theme “Going for Gold,” performances range from a complex friendship between two teenage girls who happen to be fencing rivals in “Athena” to a quirky musical featuring middle and high school students contending for a spelling bee’s top spot in “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

“This season’s selections use comedy, drama, and song to explore the nuanced way competition can effect young adults,” Theatre Arts Professor Greg Wise said. “Where ‘Athena’ focuses on athletic competition and “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” deals with a battle of knowledge, both productions encompass stories of friendship, self-esteem, and acceptance that audiences will universally identify with and enjoy.”

Performances will take place at the Blinn-Bryan Student Center and tickets for all shows will be available at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice. Both productions are suitable for ages 13 and up with dates subject to change.

In addition to the performances, the Thursday night productions of “Athena” and “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be followed by an interactive “Talk-Back” event, during which the cast, crew, and local partners will answer questions from the audience.

“Athena”

The season opens with Gracie Gardner’s “Athena,” which runs at the Bryan Campus Student Center Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 6-8, at 7 p.m., Friday through Saturday, Nov. 14-15, at 7 p.m., and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16.

Athena and Mary Wallace are not your typical teenage girls. They are brave, 17 years old, and rival fencers training for the Junior Olympics. Quickly forming a complicated bond built around competition and ambition, their relationship transforms as their sessions intensify. “Athena” explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and what it means to let someone get close to you.

“’Athena’ isn’t just about fencing, it’s about connection, ambition, and what we risk when we let someone get close to us,” said Dr. Evleen Nasir, who will direct the show. “Audiences will see themselves in these young women, no matter their background, because their story is sharp, funny, and heartbreaking all at once.”

In preparation for the fencing scenes in “Athena,” the BBTT is partnering with the Texas A&M University Fencing Club with students Kevin Chen and Joshua Thompson serving as fight choreographers.

“The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”

In February, the BBTT explores the anxiety and humor that emerge when middle and high schoolers compete for top laurels in the musical “The 25^th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee.” The unique quirks and idiosyncrasies of each competitor come to life through song, creating a comedic and interactive experience, especially when several surprise guests join the spelling bee.

“Each character is a star and it’s a joy to watch our students bring their own take to these larger-than-life personalities,” Wise said. “This show is more than just a hilarious musical—it’s a story about growing up, finding your voice, and embracing what makes you unique. Audiences will laugh out loud, but they’ll also leave with a full heart.”

Performances run at the Bryan Campus Student Center Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21, at 7 p.m., Friday through Saturday, Feb. 27-28, at 7 p.m., and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1. 

Auditions

The cast of “Athena” is set, but the BBTT invites students and community members to audition for cast and crew member roles for “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Auditions will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19 and 20, at 6 p.m. in Room F-120 of the Blinn-Bryan Student Center. Those auditioning should prepare 16 bars of a song from a musical and provide a copy of marked sheet music for the accompanist.

To learn more about the BBTT’s season or to schedule an audition, contact Wise at greg.wise@blinn.edu.