Lou Bellamy remembers director, mentor Claude Purdy

by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — This week people from all over the country will gather in Greenville, N.C. for the National Black Theater Festival -- and they will no doubt be swapping tales of Claude Purdy.

Purdy a founding member of the Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul, died last week at age 69.

Purdy is being hailed as a director, an actor, and a mentor to many artists, including Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright August Wilson. Purdy brought Wilson to St. Paul after convincing him to write plays instead of poetry.

Lou Bellamy, the Penumbra's artistic director, says Purdy brought many strengths to the stage.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 08/03/2009, 5:59 p.m.