FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
APRIL 10TH, 2025 — CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
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. Today, we proudly announce the Regional Premiere of what the playwright calls “a richly human play that is heartfelt and poignant.”
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.”
“How The Light Gets In” opens on May 2 and continues through May 18 at South Camden Theatre’s Waterfront South Theatre. 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.”
South Camden Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Dawn Varava, developed our “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 our 20th Anniversary, we are also celebrating the 15 Anniversary of our theatre home since its construction and opening by the Domenica Foundation, Heart of Camden, and others in 2010.
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 our 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 us, David Woo. Together, these four actors bring their hardships to life on stage and find support and nurturing from one another.
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” by E. M. Lewis on stage from May 2 – May 18. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM. General admission tickets are available for all performances for just $25.00. As a reader of The RETROSPECT, you can SAVE $5.00 OFF Friday evening tickets by using CODE “JOY” during online purchases. Visit www.southcamdentheatre.org to order online today.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Neena Boyle (Grace Wheeler), David Woo (Haruki Sakamoto), Damien J. Wallace (Director), Shannon Sullivan (Kat Lane), Craig McLaren (Tommy Z)
### About The Production and the remainder of the season.
“How The Light Gets In” by E. M. Lewis is being directed by returning AEA Actor and Director Damien J. Wallace. Damien returns after his direction for our production of KILL MOVE PARADISE, which opened this past season. This show is also a regional premiere. On stage May 2,3,4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinées at 2:00 PM.
“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 our 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 on our website here: www.southcamdentheatre.org
## About The Theatre Building:
The Waterfront South Theatre, home to South Camden Theatre Company, is a gem in Camden’s newly designated Waterfront South arts district. It is the first free-standing theatre built in Camden in over 100 years. The Domenica Auditorium seats 96 guests per performance. The Waterfront South Theatre is just one block west of Broadway and Ferry Avenue intersection on Jasper Street/Michael Doyle Lane in the Waterfront South historic district of Camden. Our location is convenient to Collingswood, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Oaklyn, Barrington, Cherry Hill, and many other South Jersey towns.
## About The Theatre Company
South Camden Theatre Company is proud to call Camden home. When the company was founded in 2005, performances were held in the basement theatre of the Sacred Heart Church. We’re now the proud owners of The Waterfront South Theatre, the first free-standing theatre built for live theatre in Camden in more than 100 years by The Domenica Foundation. Learn more here: www.southcamdentheatre.org/history-of-south-camden-theatre-company
## About The Waterfront South Neighborhood
The Waterfront South neighborhood is home to a growing arts community surrounded by row homes originally built for shipyard workers around the turn of the century. Today, these homes have mostly been rehabbed and are homes to families from all walks of life.
CONTACT: ROBERT BINGAMAN, MARKETING, rallan@southcamdentheatre.org, 609-471-4168