PENUMBRA THEATRE COMPANY, St. Paul, Minnesota, received $15,000 to support the participation of emerging Minnesota and New York City-based playwrights in the 2010-11 OKRA program. Penumbra creates professional productions that are artistically excellent, thought provoking, relevant, and illuminate the human condition through the prism of the African American experience. Its activities are organized into three integrated programs: the mainstage series, education, and new play development. The last, the OKRA New Play Program, is a rigorous culturally specific program in which playwrights develop their plays in a safe, nurturing environment that actively invests in developing authentic African American voices. OKRA makes an investment in emerging playwrights, allowing for play development without restriction or reservation, and assuring guidance from established professional artists who have a deep understanding of the Penumbra aesthetic. The program has three components: the expansion of early ideas, a reading series, and week-long workshops, with the ultimate goal of moving new plays into production. Submissions and inquiries are accepted throughout the year.