Blinn Theatre Arts Program to stage 'Chemical Imbalance' at Brenham’s O’Donnell Center

Play based on Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde will be presented Nov. 13-16

November 5, 2025

“Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” will be staged by the Blinn College District Theatre Arts Program as the next production in its “What’s in a Name” series at the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Center on the Blinn-Brenham Campus.

“Chemical Imbalance” will be performed Nov. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the O’Donnell Center at 600 Blinn Boulevard. School previews will be Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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 boxoffice@blinn.edu.

Theatre Arts Director Brad Nies, who will direct the production, said “Chemical Imbalance” is a dark but hilarious farce adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Strange Cases of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

“This is a fast-paced romp about men and women walking the fine line that separates aristocracy and depravity,” said Nies.

The play is recommended for ages 13 and up. It will utilize flashing lights and atmospheric effects.

“Chemical Imbalance” will serve as the program’s Faculty Showcase, highlighting Theatre Arts Instructor Jennifer Patrick. Patrick will oversee costumes, makeup, and hair design, and will portray Lady Throckmortonshire in the play.

Other cast members are Jacqueline Netanel as society matron Euphronia Jekyll; Ayla Witt as her daughter Ambrosia Jekyll; Michael Silgero as her son Henry Jekyll; Paige Stewart as Lady Throckmortonshire’s twin daughters Calliope and Penelope Throckmortonshire; Lizzy Foster as Rosamunda Dewthistle; Ace Burns as Dr. Jekyll’s cousin Xavier Utterson; Ethan Mugambi as Ivan the butler; Annabelle Chisum as Miss Plodgett, the cook; Will Stiles as the constable; and Tevin Simmons as the police lieutenant.

Crew members are Jaden Mertz, stage manager; Aalahni Reed and Keylan Richardson assistant stage managers; Isabelle Beaman, painting; Ilaria Calarco and Alyssa Hernandez, scenery; Aidan Johnson, scenic artist; Ryan Kendall, assistant lighting; Rylie King, costumes; Nalani Koester, sound assistant; Ivory Lasker, costume supervisor; Eric Wilcher, lighting board operator; and Daeja Wells, fly set/stage crew.

Technical direction will be by Kevin Patrick, Technical Theatre Arts Director.

Other productions for the 2025-26 season are:

• “Romeo and Juliet,” 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21 and 22 (preview performances are Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.);
• and “The Boys Next Door,” 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 (preview performances are April 16 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

The program’s improvisation troupe “Slaphappy” will perform Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. at the O’Donnell Center.

Its 10-Minute Play Festival will be held Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, 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 high-quality educational foundation 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 drama and theatre performances and are prepared to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/theatre.