Emporia High’s upcoming theater production is not for the faint of heart.
E-High Theatre is addressing the aftereffects of the Sandy Hook school shooting with its rendition of “26 Pebbles” on Saturday and Sunday. On KVOE’s Morning Show this week, Theatre Director Amanda Ballard says it’s a powerful play, but it’s not a re-enactment.
Student Akton Mason says the rehearsals have been intense.
Student Caroline Harrison has been working on set design. She says it’s a simple, stark set, and she says there are extra items on hand in case the cast and crew need some extra comfort.
Student Ava Karcher is playing a mother, which provides its own challenges under normal circumstances.
The performance schedule, unfortunately, follows an active period for school shootings across the country. Two students and two teachers were killed in a shooting incident in Georgia on Sept. 4. A teenager killed another as part of a shooting incident in Joppatowne, Maryland, on Sept. 5, followed by a similar incident in Omaha, Nebraska, this past Tuesday. Student Cas Samples says this reflects the “terrifying” reality of education today.
So far this year, there have been nearly 30 school shootings resulting in almost 60 people hurt and 12 killed in the United States. There have now been over 200 school shootings since 2018, according to Education Weekly.
Performances are at 7 pm Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, both at the Emporia High auditorium. Tickets are $5 for people ages 13 and over, although Emporia High students get in free with a student ID. Donations will also be accepted for Sandy Hook Promise.
