Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe invites audience to join the F-U-N to close out 2025-26 season
Musical 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' to be staged at the Blinn-Bryan Student Center Feb. 19-21 and Feb. 27-28
February 5, 2026
Song, dance, and laugh-out-loud moments take the spotlight when the Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe (BBTT) wraps its 2025-26 season with the quirky musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Centered on middle and high school students contending for a spelling bee’s top spot, the show is a true community-wide production featuring Blinn students, a professor, guest artists, and an opportunity for audience participation.
“This musical is just fun,” director and Theatre Arts Professor Greg Wise said. “The story features six unique characters portrayed by our incredible students, and it’s filled with messages that remind us how tough it is to be a kid sometimes and how even as adults it’s okay to make mistakes and keep learning.”
The unique quirks and idiosyncrasies of each spelling bee competitor come to life through song, creating a comedic and interactive experience, especially when several surprise guests join the competition.
“Each performance will feature four volunteers from the audience who will be invited to come up on stage and join the spelling bee,” Wise said. “This creates such a great interactive experience and is so fun for our actors. Every show will be different.”
Audience members interested in volunteering will be asked to submit their name upon arrival at the theater. While the cast consists primarily of Blinn students, this performance features two community guest artists: Maleah Miller, who plays Rona Lisa Peretti, and M.A. Sterling, who plays Mitch Mahoney. In addition, Blinn Biology Professor and Assistant Dean Dr. Mark Hutchinson makes his stage debut as Douglas Panch.
“I play the vice principal and my role in the play is to moderate the spelling bee,” Hutchinson said. “I’m a pronunciation and word origins fanatic, so this role is already who I am. My character gets to interplay back and forth with the spellers with a bit of attitude, so he’s definitely a fun part to play, but really it’s the students who are amazing. This cast and crew are exceptionally good and remarkably talented.”
Theatre major Cammie Quiñones is excited to take the stage as silly but sweet Olive Ostrovsky.
“I like that Olive makes herself laugh. She’s very in her own head with her comedy,” Qui?ones said. “Each character gets to sing their own song that shows off their personality, and my favorite song that I get to sing is ‘The I Love You Song.’ It’s really beautiful. For the audience, I hope they love the show as much as we as a cast love working together. It’s just so funny and so good.”
Rounding out the cast are Tate Perkins as Chip Tolentino, Addie Cox as Logainne SchwarzandGrubenierre, Daniel Minke as Leaf Coneybear, Tony L. Newman as William Barfee, and Cora Hecker as Marcy Park.
Production team members are Rei Hughes-Alexander, Stage Manager; Finn Lacy, Assistant Stage Manager; Cynthia Branford, Music Director; Dr. Evleen Nasir, Costume Consultant and Co-Choreographer; Madison Bailey, Bee Hive Spelling Volunteer Coordinator; Cammie Quiñones, Dance Captain; Emily Rakov, Properties Master; Aeslyn Rebstock, Scenery; Mathrew J. Burhus, Wardrobe and Publicity; Grace Goodman, Sound Design and Engineer; and Jazmin Kittle, Light Board Operator.
Orchestra members include Cynthia Bradford, piano; Ethan Whitlow, synthesizer; Marla Goodwin, reed; Scott Greer, percussion; and Celia Bowen, cello.
“We are so lucky to have the support of Ms. Bradford,” Wise said. “This is only the BBTT’s third musical production and without her guidance and musical talent, these shows wouldn’t be possible. This show perfectly reflects Blinn’s partnership with the Brazos Valley community and we can’t wait to share it with audiences.”
Performances will take place at the Blinn-Bryan Student Center (Building F) 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. Tickets are available at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is suitable for ages 13 and up.
Following the opening-night performance on Thursday, Feb. 19, audience members are invited to participate in an interactive “Talk-Back” question and answer event with the cast and crew.
To learn more about the BBTT’s season, contact Wise at greg.wise@blinn.edu.
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