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2009-2010 Season Proudly Presented by:


 




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REDSHIRTS
About Penumbra and Round House

Penumbra Theatre

Penumbra was founded in 1976 by Lou Bellamy to make socially responsible art – art that demanded a response, art with intent, art that could create change. At a time when roles for black artists were limited to stereotypes and comical representations, Penumbra produced theater that roared with authenticity through the unrestrained and rich voice of black artists and playwrights. This respect for cultural authenticity became Penumbra’s signature style – and demand for it has reached new heights from theatres around the country fostering collaborations, new productions, tours and awards. On the national tour of Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers, co-produced with Trinity Repertory Theatre, Penumbra had the great fortune to perform at Round House Theatre as the show traveled the Mid- Atlantic coast. Recognizing the power of new work to engage audiences in topical dialogue and for collaborative efforts to expand the reach to wider audiences, Penumbra and Round House seized the opportunity to co-produce the world premiere of REDSHIRTS. The production will play at Penumbra and then travel to Round House in Bethesda, Maryland. This season, Lou and Penumbra will also journey to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the latest news and updates, visit www.penumbratheatre.org.

 

Round House Theatre

One of the largest and most acclaimed professional theatre companies in the metro Washington, D.C. area, Round House produces new works and literary adaptations at its 400-seat Bethesda theatre and its 150- seat black box theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland. The company also operates a state-of-the-art Education Center to serve over 40,000 youth and adults with education and outreach programs. Now in its 30th season, Round House is led by Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison, who created the criticallyacclaimed Literary Works Project, re-envisioning contemporary and classical books in a theatrical context for today’s audiences, including Dana Yeaton’s adaptation of the best-selling novel Midwives. In January of 2006, Round House hosted Penumbra’s production of Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers in conjunction with The National Museum of the American Indian. Upcoming productions include Ken Ludwig’s new adaptation of Treasure Island and the world premiere of Karen Zacarias’ comedy The Book Club Play. Round House Theatre is a member of LORT (League of Resident Theatres) and TCG (Theatre Communications Group). www.roundhousetheatre.org