Imagine a world where a miracle social media app allows you to feel, touch and taste anything you see on your screen — and then takes a turn to the paranormal.
That is the premise of Theater Emory’s newest play, “Static Head,” with five performances scheduled for Feb. 20-23. Sensor-E is the name of the app, and three engineering students are the unlucky protagonists, played by Kristara Marshall, Francis Marquez and Ben Soffer.
Strange visions start to appear for the students — videos of dead students and impossible creatures stalking the halls — and they soon find themselves at the center of a strange and twisted story.
The play is written by Ryan Stevens, an Emory 2023-25 Playwriting Fellow. His idea for the play originated in real-life events.
“‘Static Head’ is about the role of social media and algorithmic entertainment in our daily lives, the threat of fascist censorship and information control, and the way that every single instance of soulless, derivative AI-generated content robs us of our creativity and human perspective,” he says.
The play is directed by Ibi Owolabi, who has directed other Theater Emory productions in recent years. As she shared on her public Instagram profile, “How rewarding is it to work on a play from drafts to production?! Much love to my Emory family and my super playwright [Ryan Stevens].”
Stevens began writing the play last year, but says “it’s more timely now than when I started writing it. … I’m sure it will resonate even more thanks to the incredible team of actors and designers Emory has assembled.”
Viewer discretion is advised, as “Static Head” contains mentions and/or incidences of body horror, gun violence, psychosis, suicide and flashing/strobing lights.
“Static Head” will run Feb. 20-23, at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts’ Theater Lab on Emory’s Atlanta campus.
Tickets are available online or at the Schwartz Center box office. For directions and additional information, visit the Schwartz Center website. The box office staff is available to answer questions weekdays from 12-6 p.m. at 404-727-5050.
About Theater at Emory
Theater at Emory unites faculty and student research, integrating classroom and laboratory, to entertain and engage multiple communities. Theater at Emory encompasses the Theater Studies Program, Theater Emory, the Playwriting Center and Student Theater.