Theatrical Contributions
In 1968, he and his friend August Wilson, a fellow Pittsburgh poet and playwright, co-founded the Black Horizon Theater, which staged performances until the mid-1970s. Dr. Vernell A. Lillie founded the Kuntu Repertory Theatre in 1975 as a way of showcasing Penny's plays. Penny was the playwright-in-residence for the Kuntu Repertory Theatre. Today, the theatre continues to hold performances of Rob’s plays.
In 1976, he and Wilson co-founded the Kuntu Writers Workshop, which Penny coordinated until his death on March 16, 2003.
The Pittsburgh City Council honored Penny by presenting the Penny Family with a key to the City of Pittsburgh for his commitment to social activism, dedication to encouraging youth, and contributions to the greater Hill District community. July 29, 2008 is officially the city of Pittsburgh's Rob Penny Day.
The 62-year-old poet, playwright, teacher and activist died of a heart attack at his Hill District home on March 16, 2003.
Read more about this topic: Rob Penny
Famous quotes containing the word theatrical:
“But then in novels the most indifferent hero comes out right at last. Some god comes out of a theatrical cloud and leaves the poor devil ten thousand-a-year and a title.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)