HOW NOT TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA
We’re bringing How Not To Make It In America to Adelaide Fringe 2026, 10th-22nd March at Holden Street Theatres.
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?
How Not To Make It In America is a funny, moving, one-man show, written by SA playwright Emily Steel, inspired by her real-life experiences in New York on September 11. It’s performed by local actor James Smith, who plays 28 characters to make you laugh, cry, cringe and hope. The original production was presented in the Space Theatre at the Adelaide Festival Centre in 2021, directed by Corey McMahon. The 2026 remount will be directed by Emily Steel.
Praise for How Not To Make It In America:
"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
How Not To Make It In America will be Theatre Republic’s first show in the Fringe. If you missed it last time, come see it. If you saw it, come see it again! We’re 25 years on from September 11 and Trump’s back in the White House, so let’s take another look at America and what it’s like to not make it there.
How Not To Make It In America is supported by the Adelaide Fringe Fund.