NBC features Penumbra Theatre Founder, Lou Bellamy, Theatre Art's Professor Emeritus

NBC's prime time news magazine, "Rock Center with Brian Williams" profiled Penumbra Theatre's Founder and Artistic Director Lou Bellamy on its December 26 broadcast.
Besides being a "legend in the theatre world" according Brian Williams, Lou Bellamy is also Professor Emeritus of the U of M's Department of Theatre and Dance.
Penumbra staged its original play, I Wish You Love, written by Dominic Taylor and designed by Lance Brockman, both department faculty members, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.in July 2011, after it had played in St. Paul. This striking musical drama about Nat "King " Cole caught the attention of NBC as it was the network that aired his show in the 1950s.
"We are truly honored to receive this national recognition for our mission, our art and our uncompromising commitment to tell the African American story," stated Mr. Bellamy. " As with Nat's television show, NBC is now bringing Penumbra into the living rooms of millions of Americans. This television program reaches a broader and more diverse audience than we could ever get into our theatre and introduces us to people who may never have the chance to experience the power of art for social change. And, for that we are grateful." The production of I Wish You Love returned to St. Paul's Penumbra stage and concluded with a sold out run in December.