Lou Bellamy facts for kids

Lou Bellamy, born on March 10, 1944, is a talented American director, actor, and teacher. He is best known for starting the famous Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also taught at the University of Minnesota for many years, retiring in 2011.

Lou Bellamy's Early Life and Education

Louis Bellamy was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 10, 1944. His mother was ElVeeda Luckett Bellamy. In 1950, his mother married Maurice Leonidas Bellamy, who later adopted Lou. Lou Bellamy graduated from Saint Paul Central High School in 1962.

His College Studies

Lou Bellamy went to Minnesota State University, Mankato. He earned a degree in psychology and sociology in 1967. Later, in 1978, he received his master's degree in theater arts from the University of Minnesota.

His Family Life

Lou Bellamy is married to Colleen Bellamy. They have two adult children, Sarah and Lucas.

Lou Bellamy's Career in Theater

At the University of Minnesota, Lou Bellamy taught classes in acting, directing, and communication. He also taught special classes about Black theater.

Starting Penumbra Theatre Company

In 1976, the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center received money for cultural arts programs. This funding helped Lou Bellamy become the center's cultural arts director. There, he started the Penumbra Theatre Company.

Directing Plays at Penumbra

At Penumbra, Lou Bellamy directed many plays. He led 23 world premieres, which means these plays were performed for the very first time there. He worked closely with the famous playwright August Wilson. Penumbra Theatre Company produced more plays by August Wilson than any other theater in the world. Lou Bellamy even won an Obie award for his directing work there. In 2014, his daughter, Sarah Bellamy, took over as the leader of Penumbra.

His Vision for Black Theater

Lou Bellamy believes strongly in showing the full lives of Black people on stage. He once said that he wants to use his position to "put the lens on Black people." He wants to show them "in all their beauty, their facets and warts." He cares deeply about these stories and wants to see their complexity on stage.

Directing Beyond Penumbra

Besides Penumbra, Lou Bellamy has directed plays at many other theaters. These include the Arizona Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He also directed at The Guthrie Theater and The Kennedy Center.

Awards and Recognition

Lou Bellamy has received many important awards for his work.

• In 2005, he won the IVEY Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates his long and successful career.
• In 2006, the McKnight Foundation named him a Distinguished Artist.
• In 2007, he won an Obie Award for directing a New York production of August Wilson's play Two Trains Running.
• In 2017, he received the Kay Sexton award. This award recognized his career as a teacher, mentor, director, and supporter of African American Literature.