Penumbra Theatre’s work toward unity in a divided time

In Minnesota’s arts community, Penumbra Theatre holds a special place. For decades, it has been a home for Black storytelling, cultural healing, and performances that speak directly to the lived experiences of Black communities.

Today, Penumbra continues that work with a renewed focus on unity, echoing the values Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the “beloved community.”

According to Sarah Bellamy, president of Penumbra Theatre, many people misunderstand what Dr. King meant by the beloved community. “It’s not simply about being kind or loving one another, even though those acts matter,” Bellamy said. “It’s about doing the hard work of making sure everyone’s needs are met, and that the comfort of one does not come at the expense of another’s suffering.”

For Bellamy, the beloved community is a daily practice. At Penumbra, this practice shows up in storytelling designed to grow empathy and help people understand perspectives beyond their own.

“We use storytelling as a way to address false narratives, to practice the essential work of perspective-taking,” she said.

Racial healing programs are central to Penumbra’s mission. They help individuals explore historic trauma and develop stronger ways of relating to one another. Bellamy sees one of the greatest challenges today as learning to remain open when situations feel uncomfortable.

“Most urgent from my perspective is our ability to increase our window of tolerance to sit with discomfort and disagreement,” she said.

With so much conflict and violence happening across the country, it can be tempting to avoid difficult conversations or step back from community work. Bellamy argues that true healing requires the opposite.

“It seems like expending more energy will deplete us, but when you’re in a healthy communal practice, the energy you expend will be returned with reciprocity and gratitude,” she said.

Supporting one another, especially during hard times, builds stronger connections and a shared sense of purpose.

“If we can’t be with each other when it gets hard, we’re not going to be able to present a united front against tyranny and injustice,” she said.

Minnesota is home to a strong performing arts ecosystem, and Penumbra’s work extends beyond its own walls. Bellamy says this community gives local artists power and stability that other regions may lack.

“Our performing arts ecosystem in Minnesota is the envy of many states,” she said. “We are fortunate that so many brave artists not only make a living here, but, thanks to incredible philanthropic support, they can also make a life.”

Beyond economic stability, Penumbra provides a space where artists can take creative risks and tell the truth without fear. Through productions and programs, artists explore the complexities of identity, race, and justice, challenging both themselves and their audiences. Bellamy believes art creates conversations that might not happen otherwise, and those conversations can shift perspectives in meaningful ways.

“We model freedom on our stages so that we can practice it in the streets. We depict our struggles through drama so that we can develop a deeper analysis about how to do better the next time,” she said.

Looking ahead, Penumbra’s commitment is not only to the present but to the next generation. The theatre nurtures artists, organizers, and community leaders who will carry the work forward. Bellamy hopes young leaders inherit creativity, resilience, courage, and interdependence.

“We want to resource our rising leaders to be creative, resilient, brave, and interdependent,” she said.

Bellamy envisions communities where young leaders feel seen, supported and understood, where their ideas are welcomed and grounded in an awareness of history and humility.

“We want them to know they can benefit from a community that sees and loves them, that welcomes their ideas and leadership, and supports them in doing the work of understanding history and the importance of humility,” she said.

Penumbra aims to cultivate leaders capable of sprinting toward urgent justice work while maintaining the endurance needed for long-term transformation.

“As we both sprint together and run the long marathon to bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice, as Dr. King so eloquently said,” Bellamy added.

For more information on Penumbra Theatre, visit www.penumbratheatre.org.