Smashing It: An Edinburgh Fringe Survival Night

Edinburgh Fringe is thrilling, brutal, expensive and occasionally glorious. So how do you survive it – and maybe even smash it?

Grace O’Keefe and Stephen Smith have flyered in the rain, faced empty houses, sold out runs and learned the hard way. Now they’re sharing everything: budgeting truths, venue strategy, marketing hacks, burnout warnings and post- Fringe reality.

The advice applies to any fringe festival – and nothing is sugar-coated.

Plus, the night includes exclusive live previews from their upcoming Edinburgh productions, One Man Poe and An A to Z Guide to Dating.

Ask questions. Get honest answers. Avoid costly mistakes.

All proceeds support their 2026 Edinburgh runs.

Grace was named “a performer to watch on the Baltimore theatre scene” before moving to the UK to study theatre directing under Katie Mitchell OBE. Her production company, The Queens of Cups have had three hit EdFringe runs, with two sell-out runs of Bad Teacher at Underbelly and Summoning Sondheim, which had its off-Broadway premiere at 54 Below. The duo also won Best Newcomers at the Musical Comedy Awards in 2024. Grace also co-writes a musical adaptation of Sense and Sensibility which has been produced by BYMT, the University of Winchester, and was shortlisted for the New Music Theatre Award and BEAM. Her film and radio credits include BBC Studios and Radio 4.

Stephen has performed at Edinburgh Fringe most years since 2016, notably playing Steve Jobs in a one-man musical in 2023 called Apple of My Eye, which won the Bobby Award from Broadway Baby. He has produced work every year since 2022 under his company Threedumb Theatre. His shows A Montage of Monet and One Man Poe have been his most successful, receiving sell-out runs in 2024 and 2025, where Stephen also won The Derek Award for ‘Best Overall Show’ of Edinburgh Fringe 2025. Over the years, he has learnt many lessons along the way but seems to know a few tips and tricks to guarantee decent audience attendance. He is looking forward to the 2026 festival – his most ambitious yet.