Penumbra Theatre's 2016 Summer Institute to Train Next Generation of Activist Artists

Now in its 10th year, Penumbra Theatre's Summer Institute is a leadership development program that trains teenagers to use their passion for the arts to promote social justice and equity. Across the Twin Cities, students are positively impacting their communities by standing up, speaking out, and moving those who listen with the power of performance.

This week marks the start of Summer Institute, with classes running July 5 through 30 at the University of Minnesota. The summer intensive ends in two evenings of original work written and performed by the students on July 30 and August 6 at 7pm at Penumbra Theatre.

As part the four-week program at the University of Minnesota's Rarig Center, students ages 13 to 18 work alongside faculty, professional artists, interns, and like-minded teens to strive to eliminate racism, violence, and intolerance through performance. During the month of July, students engage in coursework Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm, to build trust, take risks, and think critically about what kind of world they want to help build. They explore who they are and discover their own power to make change, taking classes such as "Art with Intent" and "Activist Art Lab" as well as African-based movement, ensemble acting, improvisation, music, performance, writing, and yoga.

This year's Summer Institute class includes more than 50% of students who identify as African American and more than 50% who identify as female. Approximately 60% of the total students enrolled receive full or partial scholarship.

The first year track comprised of 24 new students focuses on art for social change and the basic elements of artistic craft. The final project Awake is an original ensemble performance about the social issues the students deem relevant and urgent. Directed by Penumbra Theatre company member Austene Van, Awake takes place July 30 at 7pm at Penumbra Theatre.

The second year track of 14 returning students delves deeper into the craft of theatre and how to become an activist artist. The final project Authentic is an original performance of monologues on a social justice issue of the student's choice. Directed by long-time Summer Institute staff member and instructor Claribel Gross, Authentic takes place August 6 at 7pm at Penumbra Theatre. The evening includes a post-show discussion facilitated by the artists.

In addition to engaging students in rigorous coursework and artistic training, Summer Institute provides a wide variety of enrichment opportunities as well as subsidized meals, transportation, and tickets to Penumbra performances. Students become acquainted with college life at the University of Minnesota through dormitory stays and tours of the West Bank campus. They also receive professional headshots and resume development to prepare them for future arts opportunities. Healthy snacks and lunches by Loaves and Fishes are provided every day and complimentary bus passes are available for student travel to and from the classroom and Penumbra Theatre.

Running in tandem with Summer Institute is Penumbra's Institute for Interns, a cutting-edge internship program designed to give undergraduate students an opportunity to explore innovative and communal ways to teach art and social justice. This year's 6 participating interns have the opportunity to participate in Summer Institute courses, work with the professional instructors, and test run their creative ideas. The interns will explore and deepen their comprehension of integrated educative practices that use art as a platform for learning, expression, and activism. This year's cohort includes students from Macalester College, Augsburg College, Sarah Lawrence College, Davidson College, and the University of Minnesota.

Thanks to the generous support of parents, individual donors, foundations, and corporations who believe in art for social change, Penumbra's Summer Institute is recognized as a national model for arts, education, and civic action. This year's supporters include Loaves and Fishes, the Sundance Family Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, Xcel Energy, the Surdna Foundation, The Saint Paul Foundation as part of its 75th Anniversary Grant for Advancing Racial Equity, Best Buy Children's Foundation, and the Greystone Foundation.

IF YOU GO:

Penumbra Theatre presents SUMMER INSTITUTE, a multi-year leadership development program that trains the next generation of activist artists.

Awake

Directed by Austene Van

JULY 30, 2016 AT 7PM

An evening of original ensemble work written and performed by first year students who are standing up and speaking out about their world. Witness their bravery and welcome their leadership.

Authentic

Directed by Claribel Gross

AUGUST 6, 2016 at 7PM

Featuring original monologues written and performed by second year students who employ the power of their art to address issues that concern them. The evening includes a post- show discussion facilitated by the artists.

Tickets to Awake and Authentic are $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at penumbratheatre.org or by calling 651.224.3180 Monday through Friday, from 10am to 4:30pm.

Penumbra Theatre creates professional productions that are artistically excellent, thought provoking, and relevant and illuminates the human condition through the prism of the African American experience.

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