For immediate release.
December 4, 2007
Contact: Julie McGarvie, Marketing Director
651-288-6784,
Penumbra Theatre
Enters New Era With Successful Track Record
December 4, 2007; St. Paul, MN: Penumbra Theatre Company, one of the nation’s preeminent African American theaters, announced today the successful completion of a four-year restructuring effort and the implementation of a five-year New Era capacity building plan.
Fiscal Report: 2007 Audit and Completion of Restructuring
Fiscal 2007 was a profitable year for Penumbra, and marked the fourth consecutive year the organization ended in the black. It also marked the successful culmination of its four-year restructuring plan during which it eliminated $600,000 of old debt and established solid administrative and financial practices. “This is great news. Paying off the debt through operations counters national trends and we are very proud of that,” stated Warren Simpson, board treasurer. “Penumbra received a clean opinion from its auditors, Wilkerson Associates, and our net assets increased $194,820 from the year prior. While we do not expect comparable increases this year, we remain confident that we have taken the appropriate steps to ensure the financial solvency of Penumbra in the years ahead, particularly as our New Era Campaign gains momentum.”
Black Nativity: Twenty Years of Holiday Cheer!
A holiday gospel tradition
November 16, 2007; St. Paul, MN: Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation’s preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of Black Nativity: Twenty Years of Holiday Cheer!, conceived by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, directed by Austene Van, musical direction by Sanford Moore on Thursday, November 29, 2007.
This powerful gospel journey includes old favorites such as, “No Room at the Inn,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and several new arrangements by Sanford Moore including “My Way’s Cloudy,” “Christ is Born,” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” The performance features live music by award winning musicians, original dance choreographed by the renowned Uri Sands of TU Dance Company, and a stellar gospel choir ensemble that includes members of Moore by Four and the Grammy award-winning Sounds of Blackness.
Featured vocalists include Ansa Akyea, Jamecia Bennett, Aimee K. Bryant, Ginger Commodore, Cameron Hughes, Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Greta Oglesby, Thomasina Petrus, T. Mychael Rambo, Dennis W. Spears, Jennifer Whitlock, and Jack Yates.
REDSHIRTS
World Premiere
Presented by Lou Bellamy, Penumbra and Round House Theatre
August 30, 2007; St. Paul, MN: Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation’s preeminent African American theatre, proudly announces the opening of REDSHIRTS written by Dana Yeaton, directed by Lou Bellamy, September 6, 2007. The production will run September 6 through September 30, 2007.
This production marks the world premiere of the play, a Penumbra co-production with Round House Theatre, Bethesda, Maryland. The show will open Penumbra’s 31st season and then travels to open the season at Round House. The play’s evolution over the last three years has included a staged reading by the Sight Unseen Theatre Company of California, and a live performance of excerpts by the football players whose voices and experiences helped to shape the piece at the University of Tennessee.
“Penumbra makes theatre that matters. And it takes risks that are actually risky. When we set out to premiere Dana Yeaton's new play, we needed a partner to bring authenticity and perspective to the table. Our partnership with Lou Bellamy and Penumbra Theatre does that. As producers, it makes us more collaborative. As artists, it makes us more inquisitive and daring,” stated Blake Robison, Producing Artistic Director of Round House Theatre.
