2017 - 2018 Season

Black Satire

February 22, 2018
7:30 PM
Colman Black Box Theater, College of Saint Benedict

June, 2017

A man with a gray beard wearing glasses, a dark cap, and an orange shirt beneath a denim jacket looks down slightly to his right. The background is blurred, featuring out-of-focus shapes and colors.

Black Satire: One-acts from the Black Arts Movement

Black Satire: One-acts from the Black Arts Movement
Contribution by Ted Shine
Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward
Direction by Lou Bellamy
Colman Black Box Theater, College of Saint Benedict


Lou Bellamy is the founder and artistic director, emeritus of Penumbra Theatre. During his 40 year tenure, Penumbra has evolved into one of America’s premier theaters dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. Under his leadership, Penumbra has grown to be the largest theater of its kind in America and has produced 40 world premieres, including August Wilson’s first professional production. Penumbra is proud to have produced more of Mr. Wilson’s plays than any theater in the world. Bellamy is an OBIE Award-winning director, an accomplished actor, and for 38 years was appointed as an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.  Mr. Bellamy most recently directed Penumbra’s production of Sunset Baby at Penumbra Theater.  Selected directing credits include plays at Indiana Repertory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Penumbra Theatre, Signature Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, Kennedy Center, Kansas City Repertory, Gem Theater, Round House, and Hartford Stage.

February 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 pm
Matinees:  February 24 and 25 at 2:00 PM

A group of fifteen people in theatrical makeup poses together on stage. They wear a mix of costumes, including suits, dresses, and hats. One person in the center is dressed differently, wearing casual clothes. The backdrop is a dark stage.
A person dressed in a wig and apron stands at an ironing board, ironing a white shirt. A chair is in the foreground, and a dark stage background surrounds the scene.
Three actors perform on stage. One person in an orange dress sits at a table holding a magazine. Another stands in an apron, and the third, in a white tank top, sits adjusting a shoe. The set includes a table with a checkered cloth and a green appliance.
A man in a white tank top sits at a table holding a shoe. Behind him, a woman irons a white shirt. The scene is set in a dark room with a checkered tablecloth and minimal furniture.
Two actors on stage in a kitchen setting. One, in a plaid dress, stands near a vintage green refrigerator and stove. The other, in an orange dress and matching hat, sits at a table with a book, appearing to sing.
A man in a white shirt and bow tie stands on stage facing a woman in a checkered apron over a blue dress. The background is black, highlighting their interaction.
Two people are in a dimly lit room. An older person stands behind a seated young person wearing a white shirt and black tie. On the table, there's a bowl of fruit. The background is dark, and furniture is minimal.
Two actors perform a scene on stage. A person in a wig and vintage clothes stands behind a seated person in a white shirt and tie, who is smiling. A retro green fridge and a table with fruit are in the background.
Two actors onstage in a dramatic scene. One is wearing a dark suit, standing with their hands by their sides. The other, wearing a checkered apron over a dress, is touching the suited actor's shoulder with one hand, standing by a green appliance.
A woman wearing a checkered apron points her finger while talking to a man in a suit. They are standing in front of a green appliance on a stage, engaged in a dramatic scene.
Two women in a dimly lit kitchen setting. One wears an orange dress and hat, sitting at a table with a checked tablecloth. The other is in a checkered apron, standing and holding a glass jug. A green fridge is visible in the background.
Two people in vintage clothing embrace on stage against a dark background. One wears an orange dress with a matching hat and white gloves, holding a wicker bag. The other wears a patterned dress with an apron.
A man in a suit stands on stage beside a kitchen table with a checkered tablecloth. An older woman in a wig and glasses sits at the table, holding a spoon. Behind them are vintage kitchen appliances and cabinets.
Two actors perform on stage depicting a kitchen scene. One in a suit gestures while standing; the other, seated at a table with a checkered cloth, wears a blue uniform and gray wig. A vintage refrigerator and stove are in the background.
A person in a blue striped dress stands in front of a vintage kitchen set on stage, speaking passionately. Another person in a suit sits at a table with a checkered cloth, appearing contemplative. A green fridge is in the background.
Person wearing a straw hat, checkered shirt, and suspenders, with white face paint and glasses, stands against a dark background, looking down and holding the suspenders.
Two performers wearing face paint are seated in rocking chairs on stage. One wears overalls and a straw hat, the other wears glasses, a plaid shirt, and a hat. A window-like backdrop is behind them, creating a theatrical setting.
Two actors perform onstage. One, dressed in bedclothes and a head wrap, sits in a bed under a quilt. The other, dressed in pajamas with a white face mask, stands beside the bed. A sign with the word "HOME" is projected in the background.
A person in pajamas sits on the edge of a bed, head in hands, looking distressed. Behind them, a person in a white clown costume and makeup sits on the bed, looking at the first person. The room is dimly lit.
Three performers with mime face paint wear red vests and sit on stools against a black background. The central figure gestures while the others sit still. The scene is theatrical and dramatic, with focused lighting enhancing their expressions.
Two actors in clown makeup perform on stage. One sits on a bed wearing a frilly costume, while the other stands holding a doll. A sign reading "HOME" is projected on the backdrop, creating a theatrical atmosphere.
A person in a gray suit and face paint stands next to a wooden desk filled with papers on a stage. A large whiteboard with writing and diagrams is positioned nearby. The background features stage curtains and bunting.
Three actors on stage in a dramatic scene. One actor in a white suit leans forward over a desk. A woman in a red checkered dress stands to the left, and a man in a gray suit stands to the right. The background features a large, official-looking doorway.
A person with long brown hair stands on stage wearing a red and white checkered dress. They hold a black handbag and look distressed. The background is dark with some empty chairs visible.
A performer dressed as a mime, wearing a dark uniform and cap, stands on stage holding a piece of paper. They have white and red face paint, with an expressive gesture, against a dark background.
Two performers on stage, one in a white blouse and skirt, speaking into a microphone held by the other in a dark suit with painted face. A person sits cross-legged on the floor, capturing the scene. Dark background.
A person in a red dress with white face paint is being interviewed on stage by another person in a suit holding a microphone. Both stand in a dark, spotlighted setting.
Three actors perform a dramatic scene on stage. One actor in a white suit and face paint gestures towards another in a dark suit, standing by a desk. A third actor, also with face paint, sits on the floor observing the interaction.
Two people with white face paint are on stage. One, standing, holds a mop over a seated person with a camera. A desk and a sign titled "Five Point Plan" are in the background.
A performer in a white suit and white face paint stands on stage near a wooden desk with scattered papers. Another person, also with face paint, is seated, holding a camera. A sign titled "Five Point Plan" lists various points.
A person in a suit stands on stage, holding a letter. They are in front of a desk with a basket of papers, against a backdrop of an office setting with an American flag. Another person is crouched in front, pointing something towards them.
A person stands smiling on a stage, wearing a light shirt with suspenders, gray pants, and holding a hat. Behind them is a wooden chair and a background that resembles a storefront. The setting is dimly lit, suggesting a theater performance.