Operating Support
Operating Support
Penumbra Theatre creates artistically excellent and socially responsible drama that illuminates the human condition through prisms of the African American experience. We open hearts, rehearse strategies for change, and dispel dehumanizing narratives of people of color. Through 42 continuous seasons, still we rise.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Philip McKenzie, Oboe and English horn player; adjunct oboe faculty, NDSU; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen, Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
ACHF Arts Access
Penumbra 1) produces new strategic plan, 2) maintains judicious growth, and 3) continues producing excellent art. 1) Strategic plan engages range of stakeholders to enact new vision; 2) track program participation via sales reports; budget/funding via benchmarks; 3) track patron insight via e-surveys; critical reception via news/media coverage. 2: Penumbra's Ashe Lab produces new work, engages community, and inspires civic unity. Inaugural cohort will include three artists, each with several structured public performances/workshops; community partners will convene several times to support content; pre/mid/post survey tracking will guide quality of engagement.
1) New strategic plan was developed; 2) surpassed ticket sales and audience engagement goals; 3) national media coverage brought critical acclaim. 1) Engaged consultants, board, artists, and stakeholders in strategic planning process; 2) analyzed sales reports against benchmarks; 3) collected insights via patron surveys, testimonials, and media coverage. 2: 4 artists and one advisor participated in a retreat, public conversation, and virtual workshop. Artists reported feeling engaged, challenged, encouraged. Conducted one retreat and one community engagement workshop. Due to Covid, the spring retreat and workshop were cancelled, but the residency continued virtually. Staff administered surveys pre/mid/post residency.
Other, local or private