Bluffton University Theatre Unveils Cast for Fall Play ’26 Pebbles,’ a Powerful Docudrama on Sandy Hook Tragedy

Bluffton University Theatre has announced the cast list for the fall play “26 Pebbles” by Eric Ulloa. 26 Pebbles is a heartbreaking and riveting docudrama about the community’s response to the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Playwright Eric Ulloa conducted interviews with residents of Newtown, Conn., crafting an exploration of gun violence and a small town shaken by a horrific event.

Two students are from our region.

They are Deborah Yoder, form Bluffton and Jenna Loescher, from Wapakoneta.

Cast members include students, faculty and alumni and most actors play multiple parts.

Andrea Burden:            senior food & nutrition major, Quincy, Ohio              

Jasmine DeJesus:       sophomore criminal justice and writing majors, Norwalk, Ohio

Malcolm Hudson:       first-year undecided, Atlanta, Ga.

Deborah Yoder:            ’23 of Bluffton, Ohio

Jenna Loescher:           sophomore social work and psychology majors, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Russell Lough:              senior sport management major, Steubenville, Ohio

Colby Schlabach:       senior math and economics majors, Sugarcreek, Ohio

Paul Neufeld Weaver:  professor of education and Spanish, director of global education

The production is directed by Dr. Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication. Merv Schrock is the technical director and Brit Mustard is the costume designer. Student theatre assistants Zael Coblentz, Chloe Haberman, Isabel Miller and Aubrie Sell lead the production team.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-16 and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 in Ramseyer Auditorium, College Hall. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at www.bluffton.edu/tickets. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, Bluffton University faculty and staff and non-Bluffton University students, and free for Bluffton University students.