The Kitchen Sink presents Man Lessons

"as honest and sincere a life story as I’ve ever seen staged." - Jade Winterburn, Rat World Magazine

For nearly a decade, feature-length documentary Man Lessons has been in production following Adam Rohe’s gender transition.

Now, Adam (he/they) steps into the driver’s seat of the storytelling, combining intimate documentary footage with live storytelling to bring you a wild, earnest behind-the-scenes.

What began as the chronicling of Adam’s gender transition became something messier - a vulnerable exploration of identity, friendship, and what it means to grow into personhood.

This is a coming-of-age story that transcends the patriarchy, values wellbeing over sanity, and absolves you of the pressure to ‘just be yourself’.

New Playwright of the Year nominee - Wellington Theatre Awards, 2022
Spotlight Award nominee - Whangarei Fringe, 2022

“A deeply moving experience that caught me off guard in its moments of existential dread and uplift. Go see it if you’re a person who relates to the idea of transformation and growth (which is to say: you all should go).”
- Nathan Joe, Auckland Pride Creative Director

"An exceptional act of affirmation and generosity" - Theatreview, Wellington

Content & Trigger warnings: Man Lessons contains scenes of mental distress, including dysphoria, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and suicidal ideation. It also contains minor nudity and reference to alcohol misuse.Mental distress (anxiety, depression and temporary psychosis), suicidal ideation and hospital scenes.

WHEN: 29 July - 2 August
WHERE: Basement Theatre, Greys Ave, Auckland
TICKETS: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/jul/human-lessons