First Presbyterian Theater will be putting on a production of 26 Pebbles, a documentary-style drama portraying the stories and experiences of parents and community members that went through the horrific incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

The show will open Friday, March 14, and continue for six shows through Sunday, March 23.

Deadly school shooting

The Sandy Hook shooting occurred Dec. 14, 2012, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza stormed the school killing 20 students and six adult staff members before taking his own life. He had also killed his mother before going to the school.

It is one of the deadliest school shootings in history, and yet our country is still dealing with mass shootings. 

According to Education Week, since 2018 there has been 223 school shootings with an injury and/or death. 

Gun violence in America has not slowed down and continuously causes mass anxiety in large crowds, schools, and too many other locations to mention. 

Difficult topic

Written by Eric Ulloa, 26 Pebbles represents the 26 lives lost during the shooting and how much it affected the community — like dropping a rock into a pond and watching the ripples extend. 

The lives taken created a ripple effect that in turn brought the community together. 

The docu-play explores the themes of gun violence, grieving, mental health, and other difficult topics that are not talked about enough. 

When corresponding with director John O’Connell about the process of choosing this show, I wondered what he hopes the community takes away from it. 

“This is an important story to tell about the continued gun violence our country,” O’Connell said. “The lives of 20 first-graders and six adults is a horrific story to tell, but one that is necessary as we continue to struggle with these kinds of widespread killings across our country. 

“We are looking forward to telling the story of how a small town became a beacon of hope for our entire country during this tragedy. We are hoping audience members will understand the impact violence can have on one little community and impact it for life. We also ask the audience to look back at their own communities and see where their children may be hurting and need help. 

“Gun violence kills children in our cities every day, and we hope people will look at how that impacts their own communities.”

Coming together

In helping tell the story, the cast for the show includes Scott Rumage, Caleb Britton, Kevin Torwelle, Dotty Miller, Abby Ehinger, Leslie Ringger, and Rebecca Karcher.

Although this is not going to be an easy watch, it is very important to continue the discussion of gun violence and mental health across the world. 

It is also a the story of a horrific incident that saw unity come about.

“I think the most positive aspect of this play is the telling of how this small community came together to help one another in this time of tragedy,” said O’Connell, who is also dean of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s College of Visual & Performing Arts. “Strangers became friends out of the need to support one another. Community members came together to shield and protect families from hundreds of press who came to Newtown to tell the story.”