This is not a science quiz, but I will be honest- I did actually contemplate the scientific conception of “Light” for a brief second when I heard the title. Did you know that one of the definitions of Light is: Something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light. Very apropos for our November production…

The History of Light grabbed me immediately upon reading. The play was written by Eisa Davis (photo), who some may know from trekking to New York to catch her Obie award-winning performance in Passing Strange (one of my absolute favorite plays) at the Public Theatre or on Broadway. The History of Light tells the story of two inter-racial couples from separate eras (one couple from the 1960’s and the other from 2002). Through this relationship, Eisa illuminates the complexity of connections lost and regained between daughters and fathers, lovers and friends, now and then. Each of the couples lives have been determined by the choices they once made between their hearts and a sense of responsibility. As spectators we can’t help but take notice of what has changed and those things in the world that hold “change” hostage- even after 40 years.

Highly theatrical and playful in its execution, the creative use of music and hilarious games connect the two parallel stories to each other. It is a form of storytelling that captures the dynamism of theatre that reminds you that some stories can only be told on the stage as opposed to the small or large screen.

As we are reminded in The History of Light, the power of story lays in its ability to unite people…share common experiences. Our ancestors did not even wait until there was writing in the world before they told stories and sang songs! The writer Ursula K. LeGuin stated, “There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories”. They have forever shaped the destiny of the world… and it is these stories that continuously reinforce my vision for Passage Theatre and our home Trenton, NJ. I remain constant in my goal to continue celebrating the diverse communities that make up our city and region- while facilitating artistic, authentic, and relevant ways to show the human thread that will always weave through our differences to create our undeniable human commonality.

In my next blog, I want to discuss the importance of sustaining Arts Funding in America. I often wonder what our story would look like without the arts? Let me know what you think! Like us on Facebook (Passage Theatre) or follow us on Twitter (@passagetheatre)

FYI… We have a really informative blog coming soon from our producer Kacy O’Brien on the process of taking The History of Light from the written page to the living stage as she shares the creative and collaborative process of the designers, director and actors. We may even post a video (shh..don’t tell Kacy!!) June