January 15, 2007 - In this installment of MPR series The Bookshelf, Lou Bellamy, founder and artistic director of St. Paul's Penumbra Theatre, talks about Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man," a novel featuring an unnamed black narrator whose race makes him "invisible" to others.
October 4, 2006 - The Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul kicked off its 30th anniversary season by announcing a multi-year August Wilson project.
June 28, 2006 - The McKnight Foundation named Lou Bellamy its 2006 Distinguished Artist. The honor recognizes individuals who've made significant contributions to the state's cultural life.
May 4, 2006 - MPR’s Toni Randolph reports on how current community issues are being portrayed in a prominent way at a couple of Twin Cities theater companies.
December 7, 2005 - The Twin Cities are home to two of the nation's preeminent ethnic theaters. Voices of Minnesota profiles Lou Bellamy, director of the African American Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul; and Rick Shiomi, director of Minneapolis' Mu Performing Arts, which presents Asian-American theater and traditional Japanese Daiko drumming.
February 11, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on a VocalEssence tribute to artist Gordon Parks. Report includes numerous commentaries. African American photographer, composer, writer and Hollywood filmmaker Gordon Parks didn't buy his first camera and roll of film in Minnesota, but he had his first photographic show here. And the Twin Cities is where Parks got his first job playing piano and where his first musical compositions were performed. Parks is a Kansas native who spent his teen and early adult years in Minnesota. Now in his 90's Parks lives in New York City. His remarkable life story is told at the Ordway Theater as part of the VocalEssence Witness series.
May 30, 2003 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on August Wilson’s play “King Hedley II.” Report includes interview with Penumbra’s Lou Bellamy and excerpts from play.
March 23, 2000 - St. Paul's Penumbra Theater company has a new plan for a future home.
March 17, 2000 - On this Word of Mouth program, MPR’s Chris Roberts brings together Lou Bellamy, Penumbra Theatre artistic director; and Dominic Papatola, Pioneer Press critic, to discuss viewpoints on poet Rita Dove’s "The Darker Face Of The Earth" play that was performed at the theatre.
December 27, 1999 - As part of our Voices of Minnesota series, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles Internationally acclaimed singer and actor Joe Carter, who talks about his life and career.