Tangent Talk: Kimberly Akimbo
Acne, anagrams and aspiration: the age of the nerdical
Get the story behind the story with our Tangent Talk event at the State Library of South Australia. Kimberly Akimbo is the musical that took Broadway by storm. It won countless hearts and raked in five Tony awards including Best Musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek) and book by David Lindsay-Abaire (Ripcord). New Jersey, 1999: from a sea of teen angst, unrequited crushes and popularity contests bursts Kimberly, a musical heroine like no other. Equal parts teen comedy, heist caper and unlikely love story, her rollercoaster journey shows that the tempo of your own song is yours to set.
Before you see the show, join us for a drink and discussion about the themes of the show in “Acne, anagrams and aspiration: the age of the nerdical”. We’re joined by an insightful panel, including, paediatrician and specialist in metabolic medicine and genetics Dr Drago Bratkovic, Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company and director of Kimberly Akimbo Mitchell Butel and actor, director and Head of Musical Theatre at Elder Conservatorium of Music Erin James. Hosted by media personality Ali Clarke.
Date: Monday, 2 June 2025
Time: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start. Concluding at 7.00pm.
Location: Hetzel Lecture Theatre
Institute Building, State Library of South Australia
North Terrace, Adelaide 5000.
Tickets: $10 including a wine from SC Pannell
Please contact marketing@statetheatrecompany.com.au if you have any questions.
MEET THE PANEL
Erin James
Born and raised in Lake Macquarie NSW, Erin James graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre and has worked for the past two decades in many areas of the performing arts.
Erin has directed major productions for both professional and tertiary institutions. In addition to her directorial work, Erin has performed extensively across Australia and internationally, including in New York, New Zealand, Europe, and Southeast Asia. She played the leading role in Welcome To Your New Life, a new Australian work by Anna Goldsworthy, at the State Theatre Company of South Australia (2023). Her work in the feature film The Little Death earned her Best Supporting Actress nominations at both the AACTA Awards and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards.
Currently, Erin holds the position of Head of Music Theatre at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music – overseeing the Bachelor of Music Theatre Program, which produces multiple large-scale productions each year. She lectures in multiple music theatre core subjects, holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Music), earned NAATI accreditation as an Auslan interpreter and has recently completed her training in Intimacy Coordination for stage and screen.
Erin is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.
Ali Clarke
Ali Clarke has been a mainstay of the Adelaide media scene for over 20 years. Best known for her Number 1 rating radio stints on MIX102.3, Triple M and the ABC, she finally said goodbye to the early mornings and is now a part owner of South Australia’s Prohibition Gin. She’s still trying to work out if there’s a connection. In 2024 breast cancer had a go at her, so she had a go back and still serves as ambassador for The Hutt Street Centre and Coastrek.
Ali Clarke has been a mainstay of the Adelaide media scene for over 20 years. Best known for her Number 1 rating radio stints on MIX102.3, Triple M and the ABC, she finally said goodbye to the early mornings and is now a part owner of South Australia’s Prohibition Gin serving on their advisory body as well as on the organising committee for the upcoming World Beach Volleyball Championships. A much loved MC and facilitator, in 2024 she battled breast cancer but is now healthy and chasing around her three children and football-coach husband.
Dr Drago Bratkovic
Dr. Drago Bratkovic is a paediatrician and specialist in metabolic medicine and genetics at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. He became Head of the Metabolic Clinic in 2008 after training at hospitals in Sydney and Adelaide. His research work focuses mostly on clinical trials for inborn errors of metabolism in a wide variety of disorders including PKU and lysosomal storage disorders using therapies such as enzyme replacement therapy, small molecules and gene therapy. He is committed to ensuring that all patients have access to new and innovative therapies
Photo: Shari Hams, ABC News
Mitchell Butel
Mitchell Butel is a multi-awarded director, performer, writer and producer and was Artistic Director and Co-CEO of State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA) from 2019-2024. He is currently the Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company.
Mitchell holds four Helpmann Awards, four Sydney Theatre Awards, two Victorian Green Room Awards, and two Adelaide Ruby Awards for his work in Australian theatre and opera over the course of three decades. He has worked in New York, London, Hong Kong and New Zealand. He has worked extensively for Sydney Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Pinchgut Opera, The Production Company, David Atkins Enterprises, New Theatricals, Gordon Frost Organisation, GWB Entertainment, Sonia Friedman Productions, Trafalgar Entertainment Group, Hayes Theatre Co, New Victory Theatre (New York City) and Southbank Centre (London), and the Sydney, Adelaide and Perth Arts Festivals. Over his career, he has worked on over 150 professional productions incorporating classical repertoire, new Australian work, contemporary international writing, music theatre and opera. Mitchell also holds two AFI/AACTA nominations for his work as an actor in Australian feature films.
Mitchell has taught acting, musical theatre and directing at various institutions including Australian Theatre for Young People, National Institute of Dramatic Art, West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the Australian Institute of Music and is a mentor for Flinders University Bachelor of Creative Arts students and the Sparrow Mentor Program.
Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre Studies) from the University of New South Wales. He was the Deputy President of Actors Equity and Vice President of the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance from 2009 to 2013, and was a member of the National Performers Committee from 2007 to 2018. He was a Board Member of Belvoir from 2012 to 2019. He was a Trustee of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust from 2020 to 2024. Mitchell is also an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Music.