Written & Performed by
Alisha Richard
Directed By
Alisha Richard & Wilfred Paloma
AWARDED OUTSTANDING DRAMA – 2026 San Diego International Fringe Festival
Alisha’s Light – Forever 57 takes the audience on a journey through Alisha’s first year of living authentically. Find out how a cheeky decision to seek a little bit of happiness on the eve of her 57th birthday snowballed into a personal transformation. She morphed from a reserved writer who feared rejection into a vibrant performer eager to have her musings instantly judged at poetry slams. Using spoken word poetry and theatrical storytelling and reenacting pivotal conversations with her spouse and mother, Alisha urges each audience member to question: What small change can help me find my best self?
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Content Advisory
General Audience (Age 12+)
Adult Language, Audience Participation, Solo Performance
34: The Faculty Events Centre
10151 82 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 1Z6
SKAM Satellite Studio
(Fringe Venue 4)
849 Fort St,
Victoria, BC V8W 1H6
PARKING FOR INGLEWOOD PERFORMANCE VENUES (FESTIVAL HALL, LANTERN COMMUNITY CHURCH, WOOD’S HOMES @ INGLEWOOD HUB, SPOLUMBO’S PARKING LOT in INGLEWOOD)
Parking in Inglewood can be a bit tricky, particularly around our performance venues which may only have public street parking zones in certain areas. If you have mobility issues and/or wish to avoid getting stuck in high traffic situations with little to no parking options available, consider taking alternate transit into Inglewood instead of driving yourself. It’ll be less stressful!
Parking in Inglewood is available in two City of Calgary parking lots … 9th Ave and 12 Str SE and 9 Ave and 11th Str SE. There is also parking available in the Precise ParkLink Underground parkade at Atlantics Arts (1005 – 9 Ave SE).
There are limited hours street parking zones along 8 Ave SE, 9 Ave SE, and 10 Ave SE, and 9 Str SE, 11 Str SE, 13 Str SE, and 14 Str SE. Please observe all posted parking regulations.
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VENUE ACCESS
Access to the Fellowship Hall venues is through the grey door along the west side of the church (the side towards downtown Calgary). Â The Fellowship hall is Air Cooled, and has Private washrooms. Â
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ACCESSIBILITY
Full mobility access; wheelchair lift available to take patrons to the Fellowship Hall from the outside sidewalk on the west side of the church. If you require wheelchair lift access, please contact [email protected] to let us know what performance you are attending and when.
About Irene Molloy (Performer / Writer):
Irene Molloy is a dynamic performer originally from the Philadelphia area. Her professional journey began at a young age when she secured a lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ill-fated musical production of Whistle Down the Wind. Molloy relocated to New York City to further pursue her dreams. There she received praise for her work on Broadway as Sarah McEwen in The Civil War and as Juliet in a musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, marking her as one of the rising stars of her generation.Â
Molloy relocated to Hollywood where her television career took off with the memorable portrayal of Hunter in the series, Grosse Pointe, created by Darren Star of Beverly Hills 90210 and Sex and the City fame. She followed this with another notable role as Wendy in the critically lauded, though short-lived, comedy Andy Richter Controls the Universe, showcasing her versatility across different comedic styles.
Beyond her acting credits, Molloy is an accomplished and passionate songwriter. She has independently released two EPs featuring her original music, adding the title of recording artist to her professional achievements. Her dedication to the stage remains evident, as she returned to the Off-Broadway circuit to star as Molly in the acclaimed musical 10 Million Miles. Molloy’s career is a testament to her talent, drive, and ability to thrive across various media platforms.Â
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About Padraic Lillis (Director):
Padraic is the Founding Artistic Director of The Farm Theater. He is an award winning director and playwright. He has worked at all levels of our industry. Padraic has dedicated the last twenty years to the development of new work. He has premiered plays Off-Broadway, Regionally, and The Library of Congress.
He writes for theater, film, and audio scripts. His scripts have been produced internationally. He is published with Dramatists Play Services.
As an educator he co-designed Labyrinth Theater Company’s education program, taught with NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing, was the Humana Visiting Scholar at Centre College, and the Dayton Hudson Distinguished Artist at Carleton College. He also teaches play development thru The Farm Theater.Â
​Padraic is the host of The Farm Theater’s Bullpen Sessions podcast. He is a member of the Labyrinth Theater Company and a lifelong Yankee fan.
Alisha uses her own poetry so dramatically to take you on her life’s journey. You will go through many highs and lows with her. What a brave, honest performance. Don’t miss it.
Listening to Alisha was such a beautiful experience, her writing provided a view into her journey that felt like you were right there with her.
I absolutely loved Alisha Richard’s performance. Her poetry and storytelling felt refined and gripping. Her show is full of honesty, joy, light and hope – all things we need right now. I have been lovingly mothered by trans women throughout my life, and this show felt like such a celebration of trans womanhood. Highly recommended!!
Absolutely life-changing, resonant, and inspirational. Should be mandatory for every human being to watch this show. Incredibly beautiful and powerful, thank you Alisha for sharing your story.
I strongly recommend this show! It is so life affirming, honest, beautiful, loving, cathartic, insightful, and healing, and so essential right now to hear this story. The moments of gender euphoria shared were so heartwarming, and moments of connection. So often trans stories are only focused on trauma, and this show gifts hope while also invigorating empowerment to break down toxic systems. If you are a sexual abuse survivor, I also strongly recommend this show, there is a poem that is deeply cathartic and shares moments of hope for healing, I found it incredibly moving and raw and empowering. Alisha also radiates so much light throughout the show, holds the audience with gentle care, and mixes humour with heartwarming moments with more emotionally charged moments so it feels very balanced and doesn’t feel triggering in any sense.
Moving and powerful. Left us in tears, and reflecting on how we overcome difficult things. A boost of serotonin, that I highly recommend anyone catch.
Alisha shares her experience through her engaging poetry, raw authenticity and beautifully crafted storytelling. I was left in tears by the end and bursting with joy. Definitely one you should not miss!
Such a powerful, honest and courageous story! Thank you for sharing
This is a brave and courageously performer who touches our hearts.