Penumbra

WHO IS PENUMBRA?

Founded in 1976 by award-winning director Lou Bellamy, Penumbra is a nationally recognized organization housing Minnesota’s only Black professional theatre company. Penumbra has earned tremendous accolades, producing nearly 200 plays, over 30 premieres, and has cultivated generations of artists of color. Through our powerful art, we open hearts, rehearse strategies for change, and dispel dehumanizing narratives of people of color.

Today, Penumbra is evolving into its next life cycle: a performing arts campus and center for racial healing that nurtures Black artists, advances equity, and facilitates wellness for individuals and community. The space will center the Black experience, learn from and support people of color who are not Black, and welcome white individuals interested in building resiliency and competency for racial equity and racial healing work. The Penumbra Center for Racial Healing will support and stand in solidarity with indigenous communities upon whose land the work is located.

Penumbra has been producing artistically excellent, thought-provoking, and socially responsible drama illuminating the African American experience for 45 years. During that time, a signature, ensemble aesthetic emerged that continues to guide the company today. The company is known for hard-hitting, honest, and breathtaking drama that is delivered with the highest production values. Penumbra is supported by a dedicated family of artists who work around the country and consider Penumbra a cultural touchstone and artistic home. Currently producing 4-5 plays annually, Penumbra also supports the development of new work through commissions and the Ashe Lab, a program that nurtures cohorts of multi/interdisciplinary artists in building daring and socially responsive art. In addition to new work, Penumbra produces an annual holiday show based on Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, and classics from within the Black theatre canon. Penumbra creates work by, for, and about Black people, welcoming all to experience the depth and breadth of Black culture.

Penumbra’s prowess as a racial equity catalyst is also well established: for over fifteen years, we have trained people all over the country in our equity practices–from state and federal agencies to businesses, hospitals, and educational institutions, we leverage strategic partnerships to support racial equity.