pe·num·bra [pi-nuhm' bruh]
noun

A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination.

the·a·tre [thee' uh-ter]
noun

A branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle.

Pe·num·bra The·a·tre [pi-nuhm' bruh thee' uh-ter]
noun

An evolving hybrid of theatre conventions, performance techniques and technological wizardry envisioned and created by Stacey Sotosky, LeAnn Brubaker, Alex Oliszewski and an ensemble of performers and collaborators. This evolving form of performance draws upon conventions of shadow theatre, audio theatre, mask performance, video projection, ritual performance, and narrative storytelling.

Penumbra Theatre is also identifiable by its use and development of "linguistic gesture" inspired by John Flax and his work with Theatre Grotesco. Other people and groups credited with influencing Penumbra Theatre are John Cage, Allan Kaprow, Robert LePage, Cirque du Soleil, Mark Coniglio, Miranda July, Richard Wagner, Merce Cunningham, Robert Wilson, and Bill Viola.