Perpich Students Attend History Theatre’s “Behind the Sun”

Perpich students and staff attended the October 10th performance of “Behind the Sun” at History Theatre in downtown St. Paul.

October 10, 2024

Nearly forty Perpich students and three instructors attended the October 10th performance of “Behind the Sun” at History Theatre in downtown St. Paul. Bob Frey, Social Studies Instructor, brought his Urban Geography students; Kevin Werner Hohlstein, Music Instructor, brought his Musical Theater Ensembles; and Tory Peterson, Theater Instructor, brought his “Crash Course – Theater History” students as well as Theater students from the Arts blocks. The play is about residential redlining and racial covenants in St. Paul. The education guide for the production is found here.

“I really enjoyed see ‘Behind the Sun’! It was nice to see a story about what has happened in history to black families,” said Greta Kunene (Musical Theater 2025). “The actors were phenomenal and the set and lights were so amazing. I also found there a lot of points in the show where I really did relate to the Kipper family, the only black family moving into a white neighborhood, and I felt seen.”

“I thought it was really interesting how they brought a true story to life, and I thought they did a great job!” said Elsie Erickson (Musical Theater 2026). “It’s really interesting that the playwright of ‘Behind the Sun’ wrote this show based on what happened to him and his family.”

Following the performance, students met with Richard D. Thompson, History Theatre’s Artistic Director. Thompson drew parallels between the show and the American Dream. That same theme is being explored by Perpich Theater and Musical Theater students this fall. And the Urban Geography students are studying redlining and racial covenants.

“It is always great for our students to get out and see live theater,” said Hohlstein. “During the post-show discussion, our students had really interesting and relevant questions to ask.”

About the Performance: Obie Kipper has finally found the house of his dreams, but there’s one problem: it’s 1956 and Obie’s dream for the future of his family lies outside his redlined neighborhood, in an all-white neighborhood. With help from an old friend and coworker, Obie puts in motion a sensational scheme to purchase the house. This may either land him in jail or help chart the future for his family and all of Minneapolis.

Based on the lives of playwright Stan Kipper’s family, experience this story of community, family, and the lengths some had to go through to achieve the American Dream.

History Theatre entertains, educates, and engages through creating, developing, and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota’s past and the diverse American experience. Its work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American.