How do two Black producers from Kansas take real struggles—broken families, forgiveness, and redemption—and turn them into something audiences can enjoy on stage?
Their answer is Keys to My Heart, a new faith-based stage production created by longtime friends Deontae Hayden and Daley Gunter. The play, produced by their company Films From Within, is heading to Kansas City for two performances on March 17 and 18.
The show blends drama, humor, and faith-centered storytelling, exploring the emotional terrain of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.
A Drama That Unlocks More Than Love
At the center of Keys to My Heart is a young couple whose relationship is tested when hidden truths come to light. What begins as devotion becomes a journey through heartbreak, the struggle for trust, and the possibility of redemption.
The story asks difficult questions: What happens when love collides with secrets? Can trust be rebuilt after deception? And how do people move forward when the pain is still fresh?
Along the way, the production mixes humor and tension with heartfelt moments that mirror the realities many families and relationships face.
“It’s not just a feel-good story where everyone hugs at the end,” Hayden said. “There are consequences for our actions. But there’s also redemption. That’s what makes it real.”
Funny Veterans, Fresh Voices
The cast of 12 blends experienced performers with emerging talent, creating a mix of polished stage presence and new energy.
Veteran comedic actors Kaela Kincheon and Michael Webber anchor the production with sharp timing and strong audience connection. Around them, newer performers bring fresh emotion and perspective to the story.
“We prayed over every role,” Gunter said. “Some actors are playing outside their comfort zones, but that’s where growth happens. The goal was to bring together people who not only act well but who could live out the heart of this story.”
Friends Turned Producers
Hayden and Gunter’s partnership grew from a long friendship and a shared passion for storytelling.
Hayden discovered his love for performing while growing up and later developed it further at Kansas State University, where he acted in multiple campus productions.
“I acted every semester at K-State,” he said. “By the time I graduated, I had done eight plays and even some professional theater. My gift is coaching people—taking their shyness or nervousness and helping them look like seasoned actors.”
Gunter’s path began in Washington, D.C., where he studied electrical engineering and played football at Howard University. But community theater introduced him to a new creative outlet.
“I found theater, and it gave me a way to express myself,” he said. “It taught me discipline and opened a door I didn’t even know existed.”
Starting Regional, Thinking National
For the producers, bringing Keys to My Heart to Kansas City is part of a larger vision. Their goal is to build a regional audience before eventually taking the production to stages across the country.
Hayden and Gunter agree, the story resonates because it reflects real struggles many families experience.
“In our community, too often we don’t talk about things until funerals,” he said. “We want this play to open those conversations now—while there’s still time to heal.”
For the two friends turned producers, the Kansas City performances represent another step forward—and proof that stories rooted in faith and community can travel far beyond where they begin.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Type in Keys to My Heart.
