Since its founding in 1976, Penumbra Theatre has seen its share of ups and downs. Here's a timeline of some key dates.
Penumbra theatre 44 years of a 'cultural treasure'
We look at some key dates in Penumbra's history.
By Rohan Preson, Star Tribune
November 6, 2020 at 5:18PM
![Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy tours the "Penumbra Theatre at 40" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Tour of the "Penumbra Theatre at 40" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center with Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy and his daughter Sarah Bellamy in St. Paul on Thursday, February 23, 2017. As it celebrates its 40th anniversary with an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, Penumbra Theatre faces both its past and its future.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/D6EX5Z4NYTXL3DA2GPJO26OJCQ.jpg?&w=712)
1976: Founded by Lou Bellamy and the artistic company that includes Faye Price, Marion McClinton, Horace Bond and Claude Purdy.
1982: Budding playwright August Wilson gets his first professional production, "Black Bart and the Sacred Hills."
1993: Marion McClinton stages "Two Trains Running," which playwright Wilson regards as the definitive production of his drama.
2012: Announces a $1.15 million loss, cuts staff and cancels its fall season.
2013: Reopens after an ambitious fundraising campaign.
2017: Penumbra is celebrated with a 40th-anniversary exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.
2017: Sarah Bellamy replaces her father, Lou, as artistic director.
2020: Produces "The White Card" and is a declared a "cultural treasure" by the Ford Foundation.
about the writer
Rohan Preson, Star Tribune
Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
