Blinn Theatre Arts Program given Superior award at Play Festival

Students also earn performance, technical awards for 'James and the Giant Peach'

March 6, 2025

The Blinn College Theatre Arts Program earned a Superior award in the Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association Play Festival for its production of “James and the Giant Peach.”

Blinn hosted the festival, held Feb. 25-28 at the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center. Eight Texas community colleges took part.

Blinn received one of only two Superior awards given at the festival. The company also received the Sherri Ryan White Outstanding Ensemble Award, given to the cast that exemplifies the qualities of exceptional ensemble work in play performance.

“James and the Giant Peach,” based on the book by Roald Dahl, was staged Feb. 20-23 at the O’Donnell Center. Approximately 600 patrons attended public performances, and preview performances were attended by approximately 1,300 elementary school students.

Blinn students received two Best Performer awards – Aidan Johnson for his role as Old Green Grasshopper (Professor’s Choice) and Steven Houlihan for his role as Aunt Sponge (Audience Choice).

Excellent acting awards (Respondents’ Choice) were received by Ace Burns (Earthworm), Ilaria Calarco (Ladybug), and Aliana Hernandez (Miss Spider). Superior acting awards (Respondents’ Choice) were given to Johnson and Paige Stewart (Aunt Striker).

Excellent awards in technical presentation (Professor’s Choice) were earned by Eric Cruz, scenery/properties design; Ryan Kendall, lighting design; Clem Schroeder, sound design; and Will Stiles and Ayla Witt, stage management; and (Respondents’ Choice) Cruz, Kendall, and Schroeder for their designs.

Ana Soto (makeup design) and Hernandez (wig stylist) received Superior Awards in Technical Achievement (Respondents’ Choice).

Respondents for “James and the Giant Peach” were Dr. Rebecca Worley, Assistant Department Head and Associate Professor of History, Theory, and Criticism at East Texas A&M University; and Monroe Oxley, designer, playwright, and scene shop manager at Southwestern University.

Both respondents also complemented the show’s ensemble work, costume design by Theatre Arts Instructor Jennifer Patrick, and the actors’ stage presence.

“The annual Play Festival celebrates the art of theatre in an atmosphere of friendliness and respect,” said Theatre Arts Professor Brad Nies, who directed the play. “It provides an opportunity for two-year colleges to share their work in a festival setting, receiving awards and important feedback from educated theatre critics.

“I’m extremely proud of everyone involved in our production. Our students and faculty work very hard both on the stage and behind the scenes in all of our productions, and it’s wonderful to see their hard work recognized.”

The program’s final production for the 2024-25 season will be “God’s Favorite,” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Blinn students and children, available online at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice, by calling 979-830-4024, or emailing boxoffice@blinn.edu.

Blinn is also holding its 10-Minute Play Festival on Friday, March 28, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. Area high school students will submit original 10-minute plays designed to inspire, enlighten, and entertain audiences.

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. Its Associate of Arts degree plan integrates artistic, technical, and academic disciplines of theatre from the classroom to the stage.

Students can 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.