(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company celebrates 20 years of professional theatre in Camden with the regional premiere of How The Light Gets In by E.M. Lewis weekends from May 2-18, 2025. The play is about a travel writer who never travels. A Japanese architect who can’t figure out how to build a simple tea house. A gifted tattoo artist who resists the power of his talents. And a homeless girl who lives under a weeping willow tree in the Japanese Garden.
Four lonely people, their stories written on paper, earth and skin, find each other when one of them falls apart. Together they realize the heart is as strong as it is fragile, and that the safety of home might be found in the most fearsome explorations. A beautiful, haunting and richly human play.
Award-winning playwright E. M. Lewis released How The Light Gets In for production in 2019 just before it won the 2020 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. In an interview with DC Theatre Arts, Lewis stated, "During the last few years, there have been a lot of losses in our communities, a lot of fractures and breaks, a lot of isolation. It's been a lonely and bewildering time. Edward Albee once said that plays should 'afflict the comfortable or comfort the afflicted.' I hope that folks walk out of the theater after seeing this play feeling more brave in themselves, more connected to each other, and full of joy. This is a love story, after all! Whatever challenges the characters face along the way should end in joy."
Philadelphia Equity Actor and Director Damien J. Wallace leads the production. Damien returns to SCTC after successfully directing last season's powerful James Ijames play Kill Move Paradise.
Damien stated, "I am truly blessed to be here at SCTC to direct this powerful work about the unconditionality of true love and the appreciation of imperfection. As a storyteller, I believe that the characters in this production find true love through the unconditional and unwavering security of one another. Their belief in one another provides support, nurturing, and encouragement.”
The cast for How The Light Gets In was selected for its professional talent and diversity and for how they work together since this is truly an ensemble theatre piece. The cast includes three actors who have all previously appeared on the South Camden Theatre Company's stage, including Neena Boyle (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Toxic Avenger (The Musical), Craig McLaren (The Brothers Size, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and Kill Move Paradise) and Shannon Sullivan (Toxic Avenger - The Musical), along with one actor who is new to the company, David Woo. Together, these four actors bring their hardships to life on stage and find support and nurturing from one another.
(Left to Right) Neena Boyle , David Woo, Damien J. Wallace (Director), Shannon Sullivan, Craig McLaren
Damien J. Wallace perfectly said, "Together, this cast shows how these humans can take what is left of a fractured traumatized spirit and replace it with the strength of self and a recognition of one's self-worth. Love permeates hate, and only light can permeate darkness. The light can shine through these cracks and illuminate those empty spaces."
Plan to see How The Light Gets In from May 2 - May 18. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. General admission tickets are available for all performances for just $25.00. Visit www.southcamdentheatre.org to order online today. Performances take place in the Waterfront South Theatre (400 Jasper Street) in Camden, New Jersey.
South Camden Theatre Company's Artistic Director, Dawn Varava, developed their"Season Of Love" in dedication to Sacred Heart Parish's Father Michael Doyle (1934-2022), who, in 2005, met with parishioner and local playwright Joseph M. Paprzycki and asked, "Why don't you do any of your plays in Camden?" To which Paprzycki responded, "Where?" Father Doyle quickly offered the Sacred Heart Church recreation hall for productions. And with that, the theatre company was formed. Along with celebrating their 20th Anniversary, they are also celebrating the 15th Anniversary of their theatre home since its construction and opening by the Domenica Foundation, Heart of Camden, and others in 2010.
Coming Up at South Camden Theatre Company:
A Good Farmer by Sharyn Rothstein takes the stage in the Fall and is directed by returning director Scott Grumling. Scott directed By The Water, also written by Sharyn Rothstein, in 2018. “A Good Farmer” is on stage September 5, 6, 7,12, 13, 14,19, 20, 21.
Dot by Colman Domingo closes their 20th anniversary season just in time for the holidays. Zuhairah McGill, an AEA Actress and director, spearheads the show. Z was last seen on our stage in 2012. This is her first time as a director for South Camden Theatre Company. Dot is on stage November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
Learn more about each show and the company at https://www.southcamdentheatre.org
