Penumbra Theatre

In 1976, Lou Bellamy created a forum for African-American playwrights, actors and artists in the heart of St. Paul’s Rondo Neighborhood. Penumbra Theatre has gone on to widespread acclaim, not only for its singular artistic productions and famous alumni but for its role as an essential truth-teller in the community.

40 years is a good excuse to rest on your laurels. Penumbra is doing the opposite. Our 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 campaigns assert the theatre’s activist pulse on stage and off — from race workshops to debut work by challenging young artists — united by a purpose as powerful as the plays. Our video for Penumbra’s Summer Institute gives you a peek behind the curtain with extraordinary young people finding their voice and creating deeply personal art.