August Wilson

Date of Death: October 02, 2005 (60)

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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August Wilson BIO

August Wilson was an American playwright. He has been referred to as the "theater's poet of Black America". He is best known for a series of ten plays collectively called The Pittsburgh Cycle, which chronicle the experiences and heritage of the African-American community in the 20th century. Plays in the series include, Jitney (1982), Fences (1984), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1984), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (1986), The Piano Lesson (1987), King Hedley II (1999). Two of his plays received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and two of his other works won the Tony Award for Best Play. In 2006 Wilson was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

August Wilson Photos

August Wilson Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Play

August Wilson, Radio Golf

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Play

August Wilson, Gem of the Ocean

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Play

August Wilson, King Hedley II

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Play

August Wilson, Seven Guitars

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play

August Wilson, Two Trains Running

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding New Play

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson

Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Play

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

August Wilson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Play

August Wilson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Play

August Wilson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Play

August Wilson, Fences

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Play

August Wilson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Play

August Wilson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Play

August Wilson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

August Wilson Videos

August Wilson News


Broadway Buying Guide: March 18, 2024- THE WHO'S TOMMY Tops the Week

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 18, 2024.

Borderlands Theater Presents BORDERLINE THEATRE CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO AN IN PROCESS SHOWING OF ANTIGONA 3.0

Join Borderlands Theater for an in-process showing of ANTIGONA 3.0, made possible by a significant grant. Witness the evolution of this exciting new production firsthand.

Tickets to go on Sale Next Week for GEM OF THE OCEAN at Two River Theater

The American Century Cycle continues in Red Bank with August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. Learn more about August Wilson's play and learn how to purchase tickets.

Angela Bassett Is Looking For Her Next Broadway Role: 'Theatre Is My First Love'

Angela Bassett is ready to return to the stage. On a new episode of Tamron Hall, the Black Panther actress revealed that she is currently reading new plays to land on her next Broadway role. Watch the video now!

Photos: Get a First Look at Laurence Fishburne's LIKE THEY DO IN THE MOVIES

Get a first look at photos of Laurence Fishburne's Like They Do In The Movies at PAC NYC. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Laguna Playhouse To Present CAMELOT, FENCES, And More For 2024-2025 Season

Discover the 2024-2025 season of shows at LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE, featuring performances like CAMELOT, August Wilson's FENCES, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and more.

Photos: First Look at Cara Delevingne, Luke Treadaway & Michael Ahomka-Lindsay in CABARET

Cara Delevingne, Luke Treadaway and Michael Ahomka-Lindsay are beginning their first performances in CABARET at the Kit Kat Club tonight – Monday 11 March. Check out photos!

Broadway Buying Guide: March 11, 2024- DOUBT is Back on Broadway

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 11, 2024.

Laurence Fishburne's LIKE THEY DO IN THE MOVIES Begins Performances This Weekend at PAC NYC

The World Premiere of Like They Do in the Movies, written and performed by Laurence Fishburne, directed by Leonard Foglia, will begi performances at The Perelman Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 10.

DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS World Premiere & More Set for Palm Beach Dramaworks 25th Season

Palm Beach Dramaworks will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2024-25 with a  roster of plays that epitomize its commitment to “Theatre to Think About.” Learn about full programming and see how to purchase tickets.

See August Wilson's Works at Three Chicago Theatres This Spring

This spring, the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson will light up Chicago stages. Learn more here!

Video: Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal on Stage

Shakespeare will be back on Broadway in 2025 when Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal lead Othello, directed by Kenny Leon. Recap stage highlights from both of the stars in these videos!

Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal to Star in OTHELLO on Broadway

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will return to Broadway next season in a production of Othello directed by Kenny Leon. The production is set for an unspecified Shubert theatre.

City Lit Theater Reveals 2024-25 Season Programming

City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season, the company’s 44th. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

Broadway Buying Guide: March 4, 2024- See the New Musicals of the Spring Season

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 4, 2024.

Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert MY FAVORITE THINGS Will Be Available to Stream in the US

My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be available to stream on-demand in North America from Sunday, March 24 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. We have all of the details on how you can watch from home!

Theatre Communications Group Announces Recipients For PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE: IN THE STACKS

Theatre Communications Group reveals the recipients of the Plays for the People: In the Stacks initiative, an effort to support and promote new theatrical works.

Theatre Communications Group Announces Recipients For PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE: IN THE STACKS

Theatre Communications Group has announced the recipients of Plays for the People: In the Stacks. With funding from the Mellon Foundation, TCG has provided $25,000 total in book credits to the fifty recipient organizations, helping to expand and diversify their drama collections.

Meet the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY begins Broadway previews tonight, March 8, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, with opening night on March 28, 2024. Meet the cast of The Who's Tommy here!

Where Broadway's Newest Shows Got Their Start

Check out where this spring's Broadway shows had their out-of-town tryouts at theatres all over the country.

August Wilson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

August Wilson has written 15 shows including Fences (Playwright), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Playwright), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), The Piano Lesson (Playwright), Two Trains Running (Playwright), Seven Guitars (Playwright), Jitney (Playwright), King Hedley II (Playwright), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Playwright), Gem of the Ocean (Playwright), Seven Guitars (Playwright), Two Trains Running (Playwright), King Hedley II (Playwright), Radio Golf (Playwright), How I Learned What I Learned (Playwright).

August Wilson has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Radio Golf," Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Radio Golf," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Radio Golf," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Gem of the Ocean," The BBC Award for Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for "Jitney," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "King Hedley II," Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Jitney," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Jitney," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "King Hedley II," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Seven Guitars," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Seven Guitars," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Seven Guitars," Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Two Trains Running," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Two Trains Running," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Two Trains Running," Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "The Piano Lesson," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "The Piano Lesson," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "The Piano Lesson," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "The Piano Lesson," Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Fences," John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "Fences," The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Fences," Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and Best Play (Tony Awards) for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

August Wilson has won several awards for his plays. Some of his notable awards include the Best American Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Radio Golf," the BBC Award for Best New Play from the Olivier Awards for "Jitney," and the Outstanding New Play from the Drama Desk Awards for "Jitney." He has also received the American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "The Piano Lesson" and "Fences," and the John Gassner Playwriting Award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Fences." Additionally, Wilson has won multiple Best Play awards from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for plays such as "Jitney," "Seven Guitars," "Two Trains Running," "The Piano Lesson," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

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