Kansas City Fringe Festival - Sticks and Stones

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025 at 8:30pm

The Arts Asylum
824 E Meyer Blvd
816-359-9195

Megan Reynolds & Chelsey Shirrell

“Sticks & Stones” is a powerful, emotional story about how our past shapes the way we see ourselves and the world. Gemma, a woman in her thirties, is pulled into her own mind, where she must face memories from her childhood – some full of love, others marked by abuse and trauma – as she searches for the source of the beliefs she holds about herself. In this journey, she begins to question: Where did her inner narrative come from, and is it really true?

As the audience steps inside Gemma’s mind, they become witness to the past – the memories that still live deep inside of her as they collide with present-day emotion. Gemma begins to see how these early experiences and relationships shaped her beliefs, her choices, and how she views herself today. She must decide: Is she just the sum of her experiences, or can she take back her story and write a new one?

At its core, this play is about healing and reclaiming one’s narrative. It’s about looking closely at where we come from, understanding how those experiences shaped us, and finding the courage to tell a new story – one that’s finally our own. But “Sticks & Stones” also serves as a reminder of how we shape each other’s stories, and how our relationships can either bind us to the past or help us break free.

“Who am I but a reflection of you and the story you wrote for me?”

Cast and Crew

Production Team:
Megan Reynolds (Co-Producer, Co-Director)
Chelsey Shirrell (Co-Producer, Co-Director)

Cast (in order of appearance):
Shannon Rousseau (Gemma)
Florence Matina (Callie)
Amelia Trollinger (Mom)
Jonathon Engle (Dad)
Astra-Lia England (Jessica/Dance Instructor/Mrs. B/Kat/Aunt Karen/Friend)
Jacob Funke (Keith/Dance Instructor/Mr. McCoy/Uncle Dave/Ex-Boyfriend/Friend)

Buy Tickets


View all events in the Olivia area