This is Not a Love Story

​Katie Gilchrist (she/they) is an award winning actor and director who has performed on almost every stage in Kansas City. She is also an Intimacy Director and has hours of study in Mental Health First Aid, Anti-Racism, LGBTQIA+ Allyship and Advocacy, Bystander Intervention, Restorative Justice, De-Escalation, DEI, and De-Colonization for the stage. She has led multiple workshops in Consent for the Stage, as well as Boundaries for Burlesque. ID Credits include: Bare (Arts Asylum), Macbeth (Shakespeare Frankfurt), Rocky Horror Show (Padgett), H.O.T The Musical (Unicorn), Romeo and Juliet (Courtyard Shakespeare), The Trevor Project (The Fishtank), and big love (UMKC). Film: “One Eye Open”, “The Empty Room”. Katie is currently studying in the Women’s Leadership Program with Yale School of Management and is working on her Master’s in Arts Leadership and Fundraising with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. A universe of gratitude to her people, earthside and starside. #uplift #resist #persist

Victoria Lynne Barbee began singing in her father’s church over 55 years
ago. With over two decades of experience as both an actor and singer, she
has built a vibrant career across Kansas City, MO, KCKS, New Orleans, and
Las Vegas.
In 2022, Victoria was honored with the Crescendo Award for her
one-woman show, The Real Barbee UnMasked. This powerful performance
was revived in November 2023, by KC Public Theater at the Black Box
Theatre in the West Bottoms.
Merging her passion for both youth and theater, Victoria founded JAB
Jewels, a children’s theater company. Through JAB Jewels, her team
transforms the stories of youth from the urban core into empowering,
theatrical productions.
Victoria is also the author of Victoria Wears a Mask, a deeply personal book
about her journey of self-discovery after losing her hair due to Alopecia. In
it, she explores how the loss of her hair led her to temporarily lose her voice
and sense of self-worth.
To learn more, visit her website: www.victoriatherealbarbee.org.

​Prisca Jebet Kendagor is an African American female playwright and producer based out of Kansas City, MO. She recently finished her playwright residency with Kansas City Public Theatre, which culminated in the mainstage production of “The Holy Trinity.” In 2018 her play “Adulting: A Parody” won Best of Venue at the Kansas City Fringe Festival, and ranked number three on the most attended list at the festival. In 2019 her play “T Money Is Canceled” was critically acclaimed at the same festival. In the spring of that same year her play “Seven and Ten” was chosen to be part of The Last Frontier New Play Festival in Valdez, AK and her play “The Matriarchy” was received at the Women's Theatre Festival in Raleigh, NC that same summer. She has also taught playwriting with The Coterie Theatre and The KC Black Rep. She is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild, and loves what she does.

Coming Soon!

​Jen has been a part of the KC theatre scene for over 30 years. Usually onstage, she is honored to direct this story and work with this amazing team. A graduate of UMKC, Jen has learned from the best while working with Kansas City Actors Theatre, KC Rep, Unicorn, Padgett Productions, Quality Hill Playhouse, Coterie, and New Theatre. Thank you for supporting live local theatre. Lots more at jenmays.com

Connor Eastman is a lifelong actor and a frequent Fringe participator. Recently they appeared in Public Access (Just Off Broadway), Bright Ideas (Arts Asylum), Lipstick (Whim Space), The Wonder Drug (Fringe), and Proof (OCTA). Thanks to everyone for another fun Fringe opportunity!

We’re excited to highlight a member of the team behind This Is Not a Love Story — Jessica Deterding.

Jessica has collaborated with Prisca Jebet Kendagor on multiple productions and values every opportunity to help bring meaningful stories to life. With nearly a decade of photography work alongside Padgett Productions, she has developed a strong connection to the local arts community and a passion for capturing and promoting creative work.

Her experience also includes working with Black Card Experience, Blue Boy Cinema, and other local projects that highlight diverse voices and storytelling.

Jessica is deeply passionate about supporting local theatre, helping promote shows, and bringing awareness to the incredible talent within the community. At the heart of it all, she is driven by creativity and a genuine love for storytelling, connection, and, simply, love itself.

Coming Soon!

​30 years after getting his BFA in acting, Brendon is coming back to Theater as the Stage Manager for "This Isn't A Love Story." He's was a founding member of Gakdstone Theater In The Park.He's acted in over 29 musicals and okays. He's written and has produced three plays. He has also been a Customer Designer for A Comedy of Errors and Steel Magnolias at the University of Central Missouri. He currently works as a Federal employee, but is excited to get back in to what he loves... THEATER!