A Good Farmer - A Regional Premiere by Sharyn Rothstein
This September, South Camden Theatre Company will celebrate its 20th season anniversary, producing professional, high-quality theatre on our stage at The Waterfront South Theatre in Camden, New Jersey, with our production of ‘A Good Farmer,’ opening on September 5, 2025. We’ll also be celebrating the 15th anniversary of our home, The Waterfront South Theatre.
‘A GOOD FARMER,’ on stage September 5-21, 2025, is a moving drama, laced with humor and heartache. Playwright Sharyn Rothstein wrote it in 2006, but this story could have been ripped from any of this year’s hot-button immigration headlines. Director Scott Grumling stated, “I am honored to be directing another play written by Sharyn Rothstein. She tackles social and political issues without pushing a particular agenda or ideology onto the narrative of her work. Instead, she introduces us to and tells the story of characters that could be your friends or neighbors, bringing a specific and defined humanity to people who are affected by adverse circumstances.”
‘‘A GOOD FARMER’’ is the story of two women—a farm owner and her unlikely best friend, an undocumented Latino immigrant—fighting to survive in a small town divided by America’s immigration battle. This play addresses a highly relevant and contentious issue that is currently a topic of debate all across America. It is also a play about love, friendship, and discovering the strength to confront what divides us."
Grumling continued, “Controversy surrounding the topic of immigration is not a recent development and has been a seemingly unsolvable issue for both Democratic and Republican administrations for decades. Playwright Sharyn Rothstein began work on this play about 20 years ago after seeing an article in the New York Times. The article reported that I.C.E. raids in a small farming town in upstate New York had created a culture of fear in the community and were turning neighbors against each other. Seven illegal workers were detained and offered lesser sentences if they told officials that their employers were aware of their illegal status, but the workers refused. This story prompted Sharyn to ponder: what ties must these workers have to their employer that they would protect the employer at their peril?” When asked why Grumling has returned to SCTC, he said, “It brings me a tremendous feeling of pride to work with the talented cast and professional crew at SCTC. I am overjoyed to share this incredibly moving story and put a human face on this volatile topic, taking the audience on a journey beyond what is reported in today’s headlines.
Please make plans to visit the theatre to see ‘A GOOD FARMER’ when it opens on September 5. The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM through September 21, 2025, at the Waterfront South Theatre, located at 400 Jasper Street, Michael Doyle Lane, Camden, New Jersey 08104.
