• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Sunday, October 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Penumbra’s 2015-16 season: love as impetus for social change

by Dwight Hobbes
August 28, 2015
5
SHARES
105
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

 

Daughter Sarah discusses what she’s learned from father Lou Bellamy

Sarah Bellamy
Sarah Bellamy

In the rarefied aesthetic of African American theater, there is The Negro Ensemble Company, there is Penumbra Theatre and then there is everywhere else. Penumbra’s 2015-16 season is indicative of the premier venue’s commitment to prevail as a cultural cornerstone.

Comprised of more than 20 presentations and productions, it combines stage, cinema, lectures and seminars to richly illuminate the Black experience in this society, past and present, with prestigious guest artists, speakers and panelists.

A perk for longtime followers, it marks the ongoing transition of leadership as founder Lou Bellamy shares the reins with co-artistic director, daughter and eventual successor Sarah Bellamy. “Lou and I selected the upcoming season,” she said when reached by email, “to reflect the times in which we find ourselves presently.

“The idea was to highlight the importance — the necessity — of love in any revolutionary action. Whether self-love, love for one’s family or community, it takes a great deal of love to stand up for what you believe is right.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“So, we wanted to turn the idea of revolutionaries as vengeful or hateful on its head and remind people that at the heart of the courage it takes to fight for social change is great love. That concept is important.”

Accordingly, the season is titled Revolution Love, with noteworthy highlights on the upcoming agenda. Among the stage offerings, Lou Bellamy directs Amiri Baraka’s classic Dutchman and perennial Penumbra holiday favorite Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. In the Reel Talk film series are screenings of Long Revolutionary: a Journey with Mumia Abu Jamal, Carl Lumbly as Nat Turner: a Troublesome Property, and Mountains that Take Wing: Angela Davis & Yuri Kochiyama. Let’s Talk discussions include The Black Panthers with co-founding party member Bobby Seale and Malcom X: the Man and His Legacy with local luminary Mahmoud El-Kati.

With rumors of Lou Bellamy’s retirement being premature, he nonetheless at some point will leave enormous shoes to fill, having developed and sustained so renowned an establishment. The first question Black actors routinely get when they visit other cities is, “Have you worked at Penumbra?”

Company members, of course, are revered as virtual royalty, holding a distinction shared with the likes of August Wilson, Claude Purdy and Marion McClinton, names that resonate through the theatre world — African American and otherwise. How does the young Ms. Bellamy feel about someday taking over?

“It is daunting to take on such an important and historic institution, and I am incredibly honored,” she replies. “I have also — quite literally — grown up here and feel as if the mission, the ethos, the aesthetics are in my blood and bones.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“I believe in my ability to follow the moral compass that so many who have come before me have helped to shape, and I plan to honor that and push us ever further toward creating equity for all. It’s been thrilling and a true learning experience.”

Asked about stepping into Dad’s shoes, she answers, “I don’t feel I’ll ever fill his shoes, so to speak, but we often talk about walking a bit further down the path. He shepherded Penumbra through a tremendous journey and a tumultuous time. I hope to see it through the dawn of a new era and through different challenges and opportunities.

“He had a particular vision for the company I think he absolutely achieved — Penumbra is so highly regarded across the country. I have a different vision for the organization, one that honors what he built but activates it more fully. I hope to do him proud.”

Sarah Bellamy hasn’t exactly been sitting around in the catbird’s seat, idly waiting to inherit the mantle. She’s spent years learning the ropes, starting humbly enough to help out at times as an usher and, along the way, has made her bones.

“It’s been wonderful to work alongside my father. He and I truly enjoy one another and he has taught me so much. He’s a brave and very loving man.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“He loves Black people with a depth that inspires me to be [braver] every day,” she continued. “He’s taught me that love, too, and that’s what I always go back to when running the business gets hard. It refocuses me.

“I wish more children had the opportunity to learn from and work with their parents in this way. It’s been really enlightening and empowering.

“The other essential element of my training has been being around the art for so many years. I know Penumbra’s aesthetic and have learned while working beside him to demand the same high quality and production standards that my father expects.”

Suffice to say Penumbra Theatre’s continued success literally is a family affair. And the 2015-16 season provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the experience.

 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to P.O. Box 50357, Mpls., 55403.

 

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Some advice from an experienced person

Next Post

Attacked all my life

Dwight Hobbes

Dwight Hobbes is a contributing writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be reached at dhobbes@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur
Arts & Culture

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur

Black Business Spotlight: Syndicate Music Group
Black Business Spotlight

Black Business Spotlight: Syndicate Music Group

Concerns mount over ‘extreme’ school board candidates in Minnesota
Local

Concerns mount over ‘extreme’ school board candidates in Minnesota

Don’t forget to check your blood pressure
Health & Wellness

Don’t forget to check your blood pressure

Wanted: Younger workforce ready to learn about climate jobs
Go Green

Wanted: Younger workforce ready to learn about climate jobs

Gopher tennis coach rebuilds a competitive team
Sports

Gopher tennis coach rebuilds a competitive team

Next Post
Attacked all my life

Attacked all my life

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Dianne McIntrye Group In the Same Tongue

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: