Penumbra Theatre to resume programming

Posted at 8:57 AM on January 7, 2013 by Marianne Combs (0 Comments)
Filed under: Arts management, Funding, Theater

According to Penumbra Theatre Artistic Director Lou Bellamy "reports of our death are greatly, greatly exaggerated."

The Saint Paul theater company announced today that it exceeded its fundraising goal and will resume programming this spring.

Due to an income shortfall in August, Penumbra cut six full-time staff positions and suspended all programming.

Managing director Chris Widdess says the company set a goal to raise 340-thoussand-dollars by the end of 2012.

"We would find out whether what everyone had said all these years about their passion for Penumbra and their commitment to who we are and what we do could really be translated into dollars," said Widdess.

Widdess says she's humbled by the outpouring of support. Over 1,400 individuals, corporations and foundations donated 359-thousand-dollars by December 30, 2012.

Penumbra will stage a production of "Spunk" in mid-March. The play is adapted from Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston and will feature T. Mychael Rambo, Dennis W. Spears, Jevetta Steele, and Austene Van.

WIddess says the company has also committed to develop a seven-year business plan to ensure its financial stability while also addressing 'artistic and administrative succession.'

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