August Wilson Headshot

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


New Musical ABIYOYO: A Story-Song Musical Premieres in Charlottesville

Xavier Taylor will be presenting a workshop reading of his new musical Abiyoyo: A Story-Song Musical on Wednesday, October 25 at 8pm as part of the August Wilson symposium at the Charlottesville Players Guild at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.  Learn more about the reading here!

New Federal Theatre to Hold 53rd Anniversary Celebration Next Month at Edison Ballroom

NEW FEDERAL THEATRE will hold its 53rd Anniversary Celebration on October 2 at Edison Ballroom, honoring Woodie King, Jr., Gabrielle Kurlander, and Sade Lythcott. The gala is chaired by Kenny Leon and Lynn Whitfield.

André Bishop Will Step Down as Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater

Bishop has served as Producing Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater since July 2013, and first joined the organization as Artistic Director in January 1992.  His departure in June 2025 will coincide with the close of Lincoln Center Theater’s 40th anniversary season.

THE DUTCHMAN Film Adaptation to Star Stephen McKinley Henderson, André Holland & More

Stephen McKinley Henderson, André Holland, Zazie Beetz, and Kate Mara have joined the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of The Dutchman. Andre Gaines' film adaptation of the Obie-winning play has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.

MEAN GIRLS To Open the 2023-24 Broadway in Birmingham Series Next Month

The American Theatre Guild will present the North American Tour of MEAN GIRLS—the record-breaking new musical comedy based on the hit film.

Second Stage Founder Carole Rothman Will Depart After 45 Years

Carole Rothman, the founder of Second Stage, the prestigious theater company that has launched the careers of some of the greatest American playwrights over the past 45 years, is leaving the company. 

Musical Adaptation of Novel LONG WAY DOWN and More in the Works From New Production Company

A new multimedia production company has formed, which will focus on supporting works by marginalized people, including the BIPOC and LBGTQIA+ communities and female artists. Learn more about the company's upcoming projects here!

Theatre Philadelphia Unveils First Full Slate Of Barrymore Nominees Since 2019

The Barrymore Awards return to honor the 2022-2023 theatre season in Philadelphia. With 66 productions recommended, this year's nominations celebrate the diversity of local artists and theatre companies. Stay tuned for the ceremony date and location announcement.

Listen: Jaime Lozano & The Familia's New Album SONGS BY AN IMMIGRANT VOL. 2 Out Now

Concord Theatricals Recordings has released Songs By An Immigrant Vol. 2, the highly anticipated sophomore album by Jaime Lozano & The Familia, on streaming and digital platforms worldwide.

Reading Into It- Broadway Books for 2024

A new Broadway season is on its way, full of exciting new shows and revivals of beloved classics. While many of them are original concepts or based on plays, five are based on books that you can add to your reading list today.

2023 Gotham Awards to Present George C. Wolfe's RUSTIN With the Icon & Creator Tribute for Social Justice

Rustin celebrates the man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world and stars Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

MEAN GIRLS Comes to The Kimmel Cultural Campus in October

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization present the second national tour of Mean Girls. Learn more about the musical how how to purchase tickets here!

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Reveals 2024 Season For Children's Theater Series And Bridge Theater Series

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced subscriptions are on sale for the Children's Theater Series and Bridge Theater Series 2024 season taking place throughout the Cultural District. Learn more about the lineup here!

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Holds Open Air Performances at Hazelwood Green

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has announced a partnership with August Wilson African American Cultural Center and Hazelwood Local to hold the outdoor Open Air festival September 29-October 1 at Hazelwood Green. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!

Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold & Alyssa Emily Marvin to Join Sarah Paulson in APPROPRIATE

Golden Globe Award nominee Corey Stoll (“House of Cards,” “Billions”), Natalie Gold (“Succession”), and Alyssa Emily Marvin (Grey House) join Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award winner Sarah Paulson in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ APPROPRIATE at Second Stage Theater, directed by Lila Neugebauer.

Signature Theatre Opens Submissions for The Judith Champion Musical Theater LaunchPad Residency

Signature Theatre has opened submissions for the Judith Champion Musical Theater LaunchPad Residency. Lear more about the Residency!

LET THERE BE LOVE Comes to Penguin Rep

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of Let There Be Love by Kwame Kwei-Armah. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Spanish Harlem Orchestra Comes to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO), powered by jazz and Afro-Cuban/Salsa dance rhythms from the Caribbean, comes to the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Learn more about the festival and how to get tickets here!

BWW Q&A: The Doo Wop Project of The Doo Wop Project at Toronto Symphony Orchestra

The Doo Wop Project pays homage to the roots of group singing and celebrates the legacy of African American harmonies that laid the foundation for American pop and rock. Tracing back to the early days of tight harmonies on inner-city street corners, this extraordinary show has been embraced by audiences worldwide for its authenticity and vocal excellence.

Best Broadway Shows in 2024; What's Coming!

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2024 and be sure to check back as more engagements are added to the list!

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).

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 Jitne , The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Jitney , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for King Hedley II , 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 , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) 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 , Best Play (Tony Awards) 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 .

Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Radio Golf, The BBC Award for Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for Jitney , Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jitne, The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Jitney, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Seven Guitars, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle 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 (New York Drama Critics Circle 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 Best Play (Tony Awards) for Fencesand Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

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