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Fringe 2026

Alisha's Light - Forever 57

2026 San Diego Fringe Outstanding Drama and 2026 Calgary Fringe Jester’s Cap Emerging Artist prize-winner, Alisha's Light Forever 57 is the true story of Alisha’s 1st first year of living authentically which began on the eve of her 57th birthday. Combining original, performative poetry and theatrical storytelling, Alisha's message is universal: It's never too late to embrace your strengths, face your fears, and choose yourself. Her performances create a dialogue for audience members to reflect on what might be holding them back from living their best life.

Alisha's transition was a starting point. Since stepping onto a poetry slam stage in May 2023, she discovered her love for live performance and has gone on to win: two theatre awards; multiple poetry slams; a $500 prize as the feature poet in an anthology, and headlined more than a dozen times. She has been featured in five curated true storytelling shows. In early 2025 Alisha combined her poetry and storytelling to create Alisha’s Light, the memoir of her first year living as a woman. In October 2025 she collaborated with Wilfred Paloma of Diversionary Theatre, a 40-year old LGBTQIA+ theater company in San Diego, to create Forever 57, where the poetry and storytelling are integrated into a seamless flow.

Audience members resonate with her message.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★Absolutely life-changing, resonant, and inspirational. Should be mandatory for every human being to watch this show. Incredibly beautiful and powerful.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A beautiful combination of storytelling and poetry. You can feel the light she speaks of radiating through her story. It made me think of ways I can dare to be more me.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Such a powerful, honest and courageous story!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Alisha's poetry is powerful and engaging from start to finish. She takes the audience on a personal journey that is emotional, heartfelt and even funny.

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Plain Language Description

Alisha's Light is a true story about a person who transitions into the woman they were meant to be at age 57. The story is told through original poetry, storytelling, and recollections of important conversations with her mother and her spouse. During the show Alisha asks the audience questions to help them understand that every person can make the decision to try to be a better version of themselves. She shares the lesson that it is never too late to embrace your strengths and face your fears, and that supportive family can help you get through the biggest changes in life.