Penumbra Theatre at 40: Art, Race and a Nation on Stage

MNHS is proud to mark Penumbra Theatre’s 40th anniversary with the Penumbra at 40 exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.

For the past 40 years, Penumbra has ignited social change through art grounded in the African American experience. The Penumbra at 40 exhibit provides a behind-the-scenes look at the founding and history of the nation’s largest and preeminent African American theater. Original scripts, props, costumes and more document Penumbra’s epic journey and its unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and social justice.

Inside the exhibit, you can:

• Step into a set from the play Fences by August Wilson
• Sit at a dressing room table and hear Penumbra actors share their favorite stories
• View theater artifacts, including costumes, playbills, props and set models
• Color in costumes and sets at the art table
• Discover the stories behind some of Penumbra’s most beloved plays

About Penumbra Theatre

Penumbra Theatre has provided a stage for unflinchingly beautiful and honest depictions of the African American experience since it opened in1976. A nationally repected gem in the heart of St. Paul, Penumbra has launched the careers of many talented theater artists, including two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. The story of Penumbra is also the story of African American artistic expression spanning American history to today.

Penumbra Theatre is commemorating its anniversary with signature works, new plays, community programming and special events. Find out more at penumbratheatre.org.