Timely drama about women’s and patients’ rights, telling the true story of a woman wrongfully committed by her husband, and her legal fight to prove her sanity. 

Inspired by a true story, Mrs. Packard, is a play by Emily Mann about Elizabeth Packard, a woman in 1860s Illinois who was committed to an asylum by her husband for disagreeing with his religious views. After her release, she went on to fight for women’s and patients’ rights. The historical drama explores themes of liberty, religious freedom and women’s rights. 

Content note: This show includes themes of violence and abuse; not suitable for children. 

OCC Theatre instructor and director of the play, Jennifer Little, generously shares her experiences as a Broadway actor with her students and said she tries to pick plays that are both timely and important.  

“With the constant shifting of rights across the globe, it’s important to revisit and remind ourselves that women’s rights have been fought for—and lost—over and over again throughout history,” said Little. “Students continue to be passionate about supporting and building more equity for everyone.” 

Show details 

Mrs. Packard runs March 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 7:30-10 p.m. on OCC’s Orchard Ridge Campus in Farmington Hills. The production integrates hearing actors from OCC’s Theatre program alongside platform-signing actors from the College's Sign Language Interpreter program, supervised by qualified mentors.  

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors and non-OCC students, and free for OCC students, employees and alumni. 

About the lead actors 

OCC Theatre student, Katrina Isrow of Shelby Township plays Mrs. Packard. Isrow said she was moved to tears when she first read the script, which takes place when Packard, a mother of six, was in her 40s.  

“Even though I’m only 23 and not a mom, I connected with her awful situation,” said Isrow. “I channel her sadness and anger when I play her in order to portray her intense emotional pain.”  

Disrow said there is also a silver lining to this story. “During her trial to be released, it took the jury only seven minutes to declare Elizabeth of sound mind. She went on to get 34 bills passed to protect the rights of women and patients, and is the reason everyone has the right to a fair trial when accused of being insane.” 

The asylum’s abusive matron, Lizzie Bonner, is played by Julie Kline of Lake Orion.  

“Bonner is physically and verbally abusive to the inmates,” said Kline. “And she’s particularly triggered by Elizabeth, who was intelligent and outspoken, traits that Bonner envied.”  

Kline was further inspired after reading about Lizzie Bonner, and drew from her own grandmother’s experience with being unfairly institutionalized in the 1960s after her husband’s death. It was later discovered that her grandmother suffered from a treatable thyroid imbalance.

“Over the years there has been a lot of positive change because of Elizabeth Packard,” said Kline. “But as many as 100 years after Packard’s battle, women like my grandmother still struggled.”  

Visit OCC’s Theatre page for more information and tickets. 

About OCC    

Oakland Community College (OCC) has empowered individuals through education since 1965. Serving more than 20,000 students annually, OCC offers 80+ degree and certificate programs, workforce training and community education programs with flexible class options, low tuition, robust services, and top transfer opportunities. Ranked Michigan’s top online college and seventh nationally by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025, OCC delivers education that drives opportunity, workforce growth and community impact. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu. 

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