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2009-2010 Season Proudly Presented by:


 




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2009 - 2010 Season

Radio Golf
Black Nativity:
A Season for Change
Black Pearl Sings!

Two Old Black Guys
Just Sitting Around Talking

 Radio Golf

Guide Last Updated: 10/08/2009

Full Study Guide

 
Study Guide Pieces

  1. The Penumbra Study Guide - Welcome and How to Use this Tool
  2. The Artistic Process - An exploratory essay on how art gets made and circulated in culture
  3. History of African American Theatre - An overview of the African American contribution to American theatre
  4. Introduction - Notes specifically for the Radio Golf Study Guide
  5. 20th Century Cycle - A short biography on August Wilson and descriptions of the plays in his 20th Century Cycle
  6. Characters in the Play - Descriptions of the characters in Radio Golf
  7. Setting, Scene Breakdown and Synopsis (not yet available for download) - Learn where and when the play takes place
  8. Contextual Essay - A contextual essay analyzing themes and ideas in Radio Golf
  9. Spotlight Interview - An intimate interview with Lou Bellamy, Director of Radio Golf
    Listen to a portion of the interview!
  10. Design Statements - Learn more about how the play was conceptualized and built!
  11. Tools for Teaching - Standardized curricula for teaching the play, including innovative lesson plans and important vocabulary terms
  12. For Further Reference - An annotated bibliography to help you learn more about August Wilson's work!

 

 
Black Nativity: A Season for Change

Guide Last Updated: 11/04/09

Full Study Guide

 
Study Guide Pieces
  1. The Penumbra Study Guide - Welcome and How to Use This Tool
  2. The Artistic Process - An exploratory essay on how art gets made and circulated in culture 
  3. History of African American Theatre - An overview of the African American contribution to American theatre
  4. Introduction - Notes specifically for the Black Nativity: A Season for Change study guide
  5. Synopsis, Setting, and Song List - Learn where and when the play takes place and see the list of songs in this year's production
  6. A Revolutionary Spirit
  7. Voices from the Antebellum South
  8. Quilting and Cultural Cohesion
  9. Harriet Powers: An American Storyteller
  10. Religion and Cultural Cohesion
  11. Spotlight on the Playwright
  12. Conclusion
  13. Design Statements (not yet available for download) - Learn more about how the play was conceptualized and built!
  14. Tools for Teaching - Standardized curricula for teaching the play, including innovative lesson plans and important vocabulary terms
  15. Contemporary Quilting
  16. For Further Reference - An annotated bibliography to help you learn more about Black Nativity and African American quilting!

 
Black Pearl Sings!

Guide Last Updated: 02/02/10

Full Study Guide

 
Study Guide Pieces
  1. The Penumbra Study Guide - Welcome and How to Use This Tool
  2. The Artistic Process - An exploratory essay on how art gets made and circulated in culture 
  3. History of African American Theatre - An overview of the African American contribution to American theatre
  4. Characters - Descriptions of the characters in Black Pearl Sings!
  5. Setting and Song List - Learn where and when the play takes place and see the list of songs in this production
  6. Contextual Essay - A contextual essay analyzing themes and ideas in Black Pearl Sings!
  7. Spotlight Interview - An intimate interview with Lou Bellamy, Director of Black Pearl Sings!
    Listen to a portion of the interview!
  8. Design Statements - Learn more about how the play was conceptualized and built!
  9. Tools for Teaching - Standardized curricula for teaching the play, including innovative lesson plans and important vocabulary terms
  10. For Further Reference (not yet available for download) - An annotated bibliography to help you learn more about Black Pearl Sings!

 
Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking

Guide Last Updated: 05/07/10

Full Study Guide

 
Study Guide Pieces
  1. The Penumbra Study Guide - Welcome and How to Use This Tool
  2. The Artistic Process - An exploratory essay on how art gets made and circulated in culture 
  3. History of African American Theatre - An overview of the African American contribution to American theatre
  4. Characters - Descriptions of the characters in Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking
  5. Setting and Synopsis - Learn where and when the play takes place
  6. Contextual Essay - A collection of interviews with the creative team behind Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking
  7. Tools for Teaching - Standardized curricula for teaching the play, including innovative lesson plans and important vocabulary terms

On Thursday April 29, 2010 the creative team at the helm of Penumbra Theatre's production of Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking sat down on set with Education Director, Sarah Bellamy, to share special insight about this world premiere production.

Director Lou Bellamy talks about Penumbra's signature acting style.



Veteran Penumbra actor James Craven shares background bits about how he built the character of "Abe."



Founder and Artistic Director Lou Bellamy describes the unique audience experience at Penumbra.