Becoming Austin Nation:

From Crack to PhD - A Drag Queen's Story

Next show coming to West Hollywood

〰️

Next show coming to West Hollywood 〰️

Austin Nation applying stage makeup transforming into A'Freeka Nature before a performance

The show

A man walks into the room. He sits down at a mirror. He starts applying makeup.

And then he tells you everything.

Becoming Austin Nation is a one-man autobiographical performance written and performed by Austin Nation. Over the course of 75 minutes, Nation takes audiences from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to West Hollywood, from crack addiction to a PhD, from an HIV diagnosis in 1986 to a life fully, defiantly, fabulously lived — while transforming before your eyes into his drag persona, A'Freeka Nature.

The staging is simple. A clothing rack. A mirror and chair. A beautiful dress is waiting on the other side of the stage. Nation fills the rest.

He enters from the house — seemingly just one of the crowd — until he takes the stage and the room becomes entirely his.

RECOGNITION

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles — Best Cabaret, Concert, Solo Performance — 2nd Place (2022)

A'Freeka Nature performing live on stage in an orange gown and white bob wig, drag persona of Austin Nation

Venues

performances & Credits

Becoming Austin Nation: From Crack to PhD - A Drag Queen's Story
Wayward Artist | Hollywood Fringe Festival | Curtis Theatre | Long Beach Playhouse | Maverick Theatre | Kraine Theatre NYC | Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Queerly Festival NYC | Long Beach LGBTQIA2S+ Community Health Summit! | Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) Conference | The United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA)

AUDIENCE ADVISORY

This show deals with heavy and sensitive topics, including domestic violence, racism, homophobia, addiction, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Viewer discretion is advised.

  • "The courage it took to face any of this was empowering and inspiring."

  • "It felt real and raw... like a history lesson and I was so engaged."

  • "Inspires me to want to get involved with HIV and my LGBT+ community."

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

"Nation is a natural-born storyteller. It is painful, and it is poignant to be granted permission to witness."

—Taylor Kendal, Theatre Travels

"His charisma is irresistible. The honesty is unflinching throughout the entire performance."

—Joe, TheaterReviewsFromMySeat, NYC

"An inspiring, autobiographical account of one person's overcoming of life's greatest difficulties and their finding even greater love."

— Joseph Klink, Stage Raw — RECOMMENDED

"This story of transformation is inspirational, deeply moving, and sacred. Anyone who has ever struggled with addiction, identity, or sexuality must see this show."

—  Craig Tyrl, Producer, Wayward Artist

"A storyteller who effortlessly connects with his audience. His story is one of endurance, compassion, and survival."

— Louise Penn, LouReviews, Edinburgh

"I read the subtitle of the show and was like: Done, sold, no further questions."

—  Jimmy Lovett, Curator, Queerly Festival NYC

Before the curtain. After the applause. In this Q&A, Austin Nation sits down to talk about the story behind the story — what it took to put his life on stage, and why he keeps telling it."

Watch the show that started it all.
From a clothing rack and a mirror to a standing ovation — this is Becoming Austin Nation performed live. Fifty-five minutes. One man. Everything.

INTERESTED IN BOOKING THE SHOW?

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