Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: Cameron Knight (Christmas Yet to Come) and Joel McKinnon Miller (Ebenezer Scrooge) in McCarter Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol. Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson.
Cameron Knight: Creating Roles, Shaping Minds
By Guest Writer, Dan Bauer
It has often been said, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach,” a phrase George Bernard Shaw wrote in his 1905 play Man and Superman. Yet Cameron Knight effortlessly proves that he can do both. Currently appearing in McCarter Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol, he exemplifies the rare ability to excel as both a practitioner and teacher of his craft. As an actor, director, and Head of the Acting Program at Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts, Knight sees his teaching and acting careers as deeply intertwined. “I am a better actor because I teach, and a better teacher because I act. My students inspire and challenge me every day, and I am grateful to them and committed to being an example. I’m really blessed to have so much of my life surrounded by acting,” he reflects.
In A Christmas Carol, he takes on two vastly different characters: the warm and jovial Mr. Fezziwig and the haunting Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. “It may sound boring,” he laughs, “but I take time to create each character separately. Each has a distinct purpose in Scrooge’s journey, which gives me different permissions in what they can and can’t do.” While Mr. Fezziwig invites Scrooge to reconnect with joy and human connection, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come forces him to confront the consequences of his life’s choices. Both performances honor the story’s emotional depth and timeless power.
Pictured Above: Cameron Knight. Photo Credit: Contributed.
This production marks his McCarter debut, and he couldn’t be happier to be part of this beloved holiday tradition. “This is truly a wonderful company and group of artists to collaborate with,” Knight shares. “It is a pleasure to come to work and see everyone so excited and committed to telling this story. That kind of energy is rare.”
Stepping into leadership at Mason Gross felt like a natural evolution. “It seems like my friends knew I’d be running an acting program before I did,” he jokes. “I’ve been fortunate to keep working professionally while teaching, which helps keep the curriculum relevant. The industry is always changing, and I want students to be prepared to collaborate in this ever-shifting landscape while drawing on lessons from the past, present, and future. See what I did there?” he quips, a nod to Scrooge’s ghostly journey.
He was deeply moved when many of his students attended a preview performance of A Christmas Carol. “I got choked up. It means the world to me that they would do that,” he says. Balance—for both artist and art—is central to his teaching philosophy. “It all comes down to context and transparency. When we know what is expected of us, we can prepare, ask for what we need, and come into collaboration for a common goal,” he explains. He frequently advises his students on advocating for themselves and managing the demanding realities of an artist’s life. “Sometimes the best thing to say is ‘No’ and carve out time for yourself. It’s also important to remember the tremendous privilege it is to do this work — to study and focus on it. Even on long days, we must maintain perspective and voice.”
Pictured Above: Cameron Knight (Mr. Fezziwig) and Andrea Goss (Mrs. Fezziwig) with the Company in McCarter Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol. Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson
His professional work keeps him grounded in the realities of the craft. “When I act, I walk in the shoes of what I ask my students to do. And when I direct, I focus on creating space for their artistry, rather than imposing my own tastes. It’s all about communication and trust.” In addition to his work at Rutgers, he directs the Rutgers Acting Company at Shakespeare’s Globe. His directing credits include The Tempest, Richard III, Othello, Twelfth Night, and Pericles, while his acting credits span Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Given his deep roots in Shakespearean training, it’s no surprise that he sees parallels between Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.
“Both writers rely on language that demands dexterity and care for the audience’s listening. Ensuring the audience stays engaged with a story they already know is crucial. That engagement lives in the beauty of the words we are given and in not taking them for granted. These are people with wants and needs who just happen to speak in verse or beautiful prose.” Outside the theater, Knight finds peace in life’s simple joys. “I’m a homebody. Time with my partner and our dog is all I need. And of course, drop me in any theater, and I’m in heaven.”
Don’t miss Cameron Knight’s unforgettable performance in McCarter Theatre’s beloved production of A Christmas Carol.
“Live theatre creates magic,” he notes. “It’s a moment of shared experience that we all need now, more than ever.”
A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Lauren Keating, runs at McCarter Theatre Center through December 29. For tickets, visit mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.
About McCarter’s A Christmas Carol
McCarter Theatre’s A Christmas Carol has been a cherished tradition since 1980, when former artistic director Nagle Jackson first brought his adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel to life on stage. Jackson passed away in October 2024 at age 88, but his vision lives on. For nearly 45 years, this production has brought the gift of Dickens’ timeless story to audiences. And for that, we send a heartfelt “Bah, Humbug!” in tribute to Nagle Jackson!
