In 1976, Lou Bellamy created a trailblazing forum for African-American playwrights, actors, and artists in the heart of St. Paul’s Rondo Neighborhood. Penumbra Theatre has since achieved national acclaim, celebrated not only for its groundbreaking artistic productions and renowned alumni such as August Wilson, but also for its vital role as a truth-teller and cultural anchor in the community.

Forty years could be an excuse to rest on one’s laurels, but Penumbra has done the opposite. Beginning in 2016, our campaigns highlighted the theatre’s activist pulse both on and off the stage, from race workshops to debut works by daring young artists, all united by a purpose as bold and transformative as the plays themselves. Our complete brand overhaul honors the theatre’s rich history while projecting it forward, creating a visual and experiential identity that reflects Penumbra’s enduring impact, community commitment, and vision for the next generation of storytellers.