‘26 Pebbles’ play aims to honor victims
Saturday is the last performance at the University of Central Oklahoma for a docudrama called “26 Pebbles.”
The play is intended to honor the victims of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, while sending a strong message.
“What emerged from it was a portrait of a lot of bravery and of healing,” said Emily Heugatter, director of “26 Pebbles.”
“The entire world surrounded that community with so much love and so much support, and the residents learned that sort of idea and moving it outwards.”
The play, by playwright Eric Ulloa, features transcripts of the victims from the tragedy in Sandy Hook.
After 60 interviews, Ulloa took the important messages and turned them into a play.
“You lend your hand and put it out there with a really amazing community where they find their light in the darkest hour,” Ulloa said.
Students re-enact the scenes and trauma that the victims go through before coming together in not only their community, but in having the rest of the world support them, said Heugatter, who is an associate professor of theater arts and head of performance at UCO.
“It is important to understand that this play is not supposed to be political but instead focus on the strength of people coming together and putting aside their differences,” Ulloa said.
“26 Pebbles” will be featured in the new black box theater in Mitchell Hall. Seating is limited, but it allows the audience to experience the emotions throughout the performance, Heugatter said.
Admission to the play is free, but donations will be accepted, with all proceeds going to Sandy Hook Promise, an organization dedicated to reducing gun violence through school outreach programs.
After the play, Ulloa, Heugatter and the cast will participate in a Q&A.
Both Ulloa and Heugatter hope their submission of this show to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival will offer them a chance to perform in San Angelo, Texas.
“It is a really beautiful play, and the amount of love and care and heart that the cast and the team put in has been astounding,” Heugatter said.