East Lynne Theater Company

‘Head down to Cape May to see ELTC’ – The Wall Street Journal

WHERE IS IT? East Lynne Theater Company performs year-round at the Clemans Theater for the Arts, Cape May’s newest cultural destination. The Clemans is housed in the beautifully restored former Allen A.M.E. Church at 717 Franklin Street, just steps from the heart of town. The venue offers an intimate, atmospheric setting designed for connection, creativity and unforgettable live performance.

WHY SHOULD I GO? Founded in 1980, East Lynne has been producing Equity professional theater in Cape May for more than four decades. Long known for its commitment to classic American plays and stories from our shared history, the company now brings that legacy into the present — redefining what a regional theater can be through boldly curated programming that blends tradition with contemporary voices, intimate performance, and an adventurous spirit unmistakably of the moment.

At the Clemans Theater for the Arts, East Lynne has expanded its programming well beyond traditional theater to include music, cabaret, film, readings, speaker series, and special events. Rather than centering on a single form, the season is shaped around curiosity, connection and the pleasure of shared cultural experience.

Since opening in 2025, the Clemans has gone from one of the city’s best-kept secrets to being frequently described as Cape May’s most beautiful room. The venue creates a rare closeness between artists and audiences — a place to gather, to listen, and to share a memorable experience.

At its core, East Lynne believes live performance should be engaging, entertaining, and alive. Whether an evening centers on a play, music, film, or conversation, the goal is always the same: to build community through art and to create experiences that linger long after the lights go down.

INSIDER TIP Go to www.ELTC.info for current listings, tickets, memberships, and upcoming announcements.