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PENUMBRA THEATRE COMPANY
Lou Bellamy founded Penumbra Theatre Company in 1976 to explore the human condition through the lens of the African-American experience. The Penumbra repertoire includes twenty world premieres and productions of the foremost works of African-American drama. The theatre has launched the careers of many playwrights, including August Wilson. The company debuted several early works by the late playwright, Black Bart and the Sacred Hills, a musical satire, Jitney!, an early version of Jitney, The Homecoming, and Malcolm X, which Mr. Wilson wrote for Mr. Bellamy to perform. They have presented all of Mr. Wilson's twentieth-century cycle plays, with the exceptions of Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Penumbra received the 2000 Jujamcyn Award for Theatre Excellence in honor of its development of artistic talent. In addition, Minneapolis and St. Paul's City Pages named Penumbra the "Best Theatre for Drama" and Stage Directions magazine called it "One of Ten Companies that Make a Difference." The McKnight Foundation recently designated Mr. Bellamy the 2006 McKnight Distinguished Artist, an award which honors artists who have made significant contributions to the Minnesota arts community.
