At the tender age of 18, Ashley King’s life is all about booze, boys, and parties.
But when she wakes up blind on holiday, she has to face her darkest depths — grieving a new life she didn’t choose or want.
Static isn’t your typical inspiration story. It’s a poignant and funny take on the struggles and triumphs of a young woman learning to navigate the world without sight. This dark comedy asks — does everything really happen for a reason? Can joy be found in unexpected places?
STATIC: A Party Girl’s Memoir
By Ashley King
Format: Dark comedy, autobiographical solo/2‑hander with object puppetry
Running Time: ~90 minutes (no intermission)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Company: Co-production by Inside Out Theatre & Chromatic Theatre (Calgary/Mohkinstsis)
Touring Party: 3–4 (2 cast; 1 Stage Manager; optional Associate Director/Designer)
Language: English (with optional Spanish audio track)
Content Advisories: Alcohol use; adult language; references to medical trauma and grief; ultimately hopeful/comedic.
Production History
Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir held its world premiere in Calgary, Alberta, in September 2024. A co-production between Inside Out Theatre and Chromatic Theatre, it played to sold-out audiences across a 10-day run.
In 2025, Static was recognized by the Betty Mitchell Awards with three nominations—Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy, and Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy—winning Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy for Jaime Cesar’s portrayal of Carolina.
To expand access, Static was adapted into a four-part podcast in November 2024. To date, the podcast has 28,000+ downloads and reached #1 in Canada on Apple Podcasts (Personal Journals), while also charting in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Most recently, it earned second place (Comedy Gold) at the International Women’s Podcast Awards in London, England, and received four total nominations—the most of any nominated podcast that year. It is also a 2025 Rosie Award nominee (results pending).
This audio adaptation features performance excerpts from the play—Ashley King as herself and Jaime Cesar as Carolina—followed by behind-the-scenes interviews that deepen the true story.
On the strength of the plays premiere and subsequent podcast, we are taking Static on a Canada-wide tour in 2027, booking the festival circuit and engagements with interested presenting venues. As we are actively booking a Canada‑wide route; we can coordinate with neighboring presenters to optimize travel.
Project Value
Static advances Inside Out Theatre and Chromatic Theatre’s commitment to creating meaningful, absorbing, and relevant work that portrays disability and under-represented cultures with nuance, humor, and agency.
This production centers Disabled and Latinx story-telling while highlighting a variety of sensitive topics, including education surrounding methanol poisoning abroad.
Accessibility
Accessibility is built into the production for both artists and audiences. The scenic layout and lighting are designed around the performers’ needs, ensuring Ashley can navigate the stage safely and confidently with her visual impairment.
The script integrates audio description so blind and low-vision patrons don’t miss visual storytelling or physical comedy. A supplemental audio-description track is also available to accompany any or all performances.
To welcome Spanish-speaking audiences, we offer an English-to-Spanish headset translation of the show. These measures—alongside our inclusive rehearsal practices and audience supports—help ensure an equitable, enjoyable experience for everyone.
Set Production
With our goal to tour the production we will have a flexible set and production design that can work in a variety of venue shapes, sizes, and resources. The Inside Out production team will work with the design team to make sure the set can fit within the touring van and/or suitcase when flying, and can be effectively and efficiently set up and struck by the touring company.
TOURING PRODUCTION
-
Ashley King
PERFORMER & WRTIER
An 18-year-old party girl whose life is turned upside down when she unexpectedly loses her eyesight. She is unapologetically herself, even when it isn’t always appropriate. -
Jaime Cesar
PERFORMER
Carolina, Ashley’s overbearing, Mexican mother. She cares deeply, but often has a funny way of showing it. -
The Mop
MAGICAL PUPPET
Britney, Ashley’s much prettier, taller, and skinnier best friend. Britney is an upside-down mop that is puppeteered by Ashley. -
Pending
STAGE / PRODUCTION MANAGER
To be confirmed -
Pending
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OR ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
To be confirmed
Book Us
We recognize that Static was created on the lands of the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We commit to learning whose lands we tour to and acknowledging them respectfully with each presenter.