How Not To Make It In America

By Emily Steel

Thin blue lines scattered randomly over a black background. James Smith image lower centre of image in grey t-shirt, forearms outstretched with palms up and fingers splayed.

Presented by Theatre Republic

Image: Thomas McCammon

March 10 - 22

The Studio

Origin: SA

Genre: Theatre / Physical Theatre

BUY TICKETS

It’s 2001. A naive young Australian actor sets out to make it in New York. A funny, moving, one-man show about 9/11, heartbreak and dreams.

It’s 2001. A naive young Australian actor sets out to make it in New York. But then 9/11 brings down the Twin Towers, his high-school sweetheart dumps him and his visa expires. What do you do when your dreams collapse around you?

25 years after the events of September 11 changed the world, Theatre Republic brings this funny, moving, one-man show to the Fringe. Inspired by real-life experiences of playwright Emily Steel (Adelaide Fringe Best Theatre 19 weeks), actor James Smith plays 28 characters to make you laugh, cry, cringe and hope.

"a masterful feat of storytelling" InReview

"James Smith’s Matt is a marvel" Barefoot Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"Go see it and take all of your friends" GlamAdelaide

SESSIONS

Duration: 60min

Tue 10 - Fri 13 Mar: 7:30pm

Sat 14 Mar: 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Sun 15 - Fri 20 Mar: 6:00pm

Sat 21 Mar: 1:00pm

Sat 21 - Sun 22 Mar: 6:00pm

TICKET PRICES

Preview Price: General Admission $25.00 / Schools Program $15.00

Full Price: $35.00

Concessions: $29.00

Group (6+): $29.00

Midweek Treat: $27.00

Schools Program: $17 (Cap: 90)

Fringe Member: $17.50

Early Bird (30% Discount): $24.50

BankSA Cardholder: $26.25

Companion Card: $0.00

Fees and Charges apply

SUITABILITY & WARNINGS

Content Rating: M

Audience: 15 / 18+

Content Warnings: Mild Occasional Sexual References, Strong Occasional Coarse Language, Drug Use

This performance makes frequent references to the September 11 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.

All seats are General Admission

Concession Criteria - Seniors Card, Govt. Issued Consession Cards

VENUE INFO

Holden Street Theatres

32-34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh, Kaurna Country

Step-free mobility aid access through the main entrance with an accessible bathroom.

Detailed venue info and space accessibility

Meet the Team

James Smith

PERFORMER
Graduating from Flinders University Drama Centre in 2013, James Smith has since appeared in numerous stage and screen productions. Credits include Neighbourhood Watch, Othello, This is Where We Live, Volpone, Gorgon, Vale, Jasper Jones, Limit, Euphoria and Hibernation (State Theatre Company South Australia), Emily Loves to Bounce (Patch Theatre Company), Grug, Grug and The Rainbow, Hans and Gret, Creation, Creation (Windmill Theatre), The Young King (Slingsby Theatre Company), The Aspirations of Daise Morrow (Brink Productions), Lines, How Not to Make it in America (Theatre Republic), Deluge (Tiny Bricks) and Girl from the North Country (GWB, STCSA & Sydney Festival). As a playwright, James’ first play Evil Hour began its development as part of Vitalstatistix’s Adhocracy program in 2023, and was recently developed as part of the State Theatre Company State Resident program. His short play, Clio, was presented as part of Future:Present 2025 by Theatre Republic
Emily Steel

WRITER
Corey McMahon

DIRECTOR
Chris Petridis

LIGHTING & PROJECTION DESIGN
Jason Sweeney

SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSITION
Meg Wilson

PRODUCTION & COSTUME DESIGN
Annabel Matheson

PRODUCER
George Cort

TECHNICIAN