August Wilson Headshot

August Wilson

Date of Birth: April 27, 1945

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

Erykah Badu Joins THE PIANO LESSON Film Adaptation For Musical Cameo

Erykah Badu has joined Netflix's upcoming film adaptation of The Piano Lesson. Badu will make a cameo for musical performances in the new feature. She will join Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, and Michael Potts, who will be reprising their Broadway performances in the film.

Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Skylar Astin Join Sondheim Celebration At Hollywood Bowl

Broadway stars Skylar Astin, Norm Lewis and Brian Stokes Mitchell will complete the glittering cast of Broadway luminaries for Everybody Rise! A Sondheim Celebration on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the Hollywood Bowl. They are joined by previously announced three-time Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone, Sierra Boggess and Sutton Foster for this unforgettable concert program curated by Robert Longbottom and Kevin Stites and conducted by Stites.

Trinity Rep Announces Lineup For 60th Anniversary Season

Trinity Repertory Company, Rhode Island’s Tony Award-winning theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Curt Columbus and Executive Director Kate Liberman, announces its milestone 60th Anniversary Season.

Joanna Gleason to Direct Phylicia Rashad in MASTER CLASS at Theatre Aspen

Theatre Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School announced the complete casting for the special presentation of Master Class. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Celebrate The Closing Reception Of THE HOPE OF RADIANCE Exhibition At The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center cordially invites the public to join us for the closing reception of the captivating exhibition, The Hope of Radiance, featuring the renowned works of Dr. Imo Nse Imeh. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Center.

Interview: Elizabeth Carter of STEEL MAGNOLIAS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Explores the In-Between Places That Foster Community

BroadwayWorld chats with director Elizabeth Carter about her new production of Robert Harling's 'Steel Magnolias' running at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Mountain View June 7 to July 2 with a multicultural cast of stage veterans.

World Premiere of Kate Hamill's THE SCARLET LETTER & More Set for Two River Theater 2023/2024 Season

Two River Theater has announced its 2023/2024 30th Anniversary Season. This will be the first slate of programming at Two River for new Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen.

Ensemble Theatre Reveals Lineup For 2023-2024 Season

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC), the region’s premiere theatre, is delighted to announce its 2023-2024 season, which features a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a world premiere comedy, an autobiographical tour-de-force, and the revival of a unique rock musical. Along with this compelling lineup, next season also features the world premiere holiday musical about Cincinnati’s larger-than-life hippo heroine.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Will Participate In Three Local Outdoor Events This Summer

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has announced that the organization will participate in three outdoor performance series from June through September 2023. Learn more about the performances here!

Beck Center For The Arts Reveals Historic 90th Anniversary Season Lineup

Beck Center for the Arts has announced its historic 90th Anniversary, and the 2023-2024 Professional Theater Season. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

UNLUCKY GAL is the Second Segment Of ALL THE COURT'S A STAGE A Series Of One-Act Plays Based On Seven Of Martin Garbus' Law Cases

Unlucky Gal is the second segment of 'All The Court's A Stage,' a series of one-act plays that are based on seven of Martin Garbus' cases and directed by Antony Marsellis.

Finn Wittrock, Reed Birney & More to Star in Shakespeare & Company's 46th Season

Shakespeare & Company has announced the casts for their 46th Season Thieves of Love. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Lane Marsh Named Director Of Operations For Broadway's GM Foresight Theatrical

Foresight Theatrical, a leading Broadway general management company, under the supervision of partners Allan Williams, Aaron Lustbader and Mark Shacket, has named Lane Marsh as Director of Operations.  Marsh, also a general manager at FST, has been with the company since its formation in 2012.   The FST partners also announced that Nick Ginsberg and Jalaina Ross have been promoted to general managers. 

Video: The Cast of DESTINY OF DESIRE Performs 'El Destino del Deseo' in Rehearsal

An all new video has been released from rehearsal for Destiny of Desire at The Old Globe. Watch as the cast performs 'El Destino del Deseo' here!

Tatiana Wechsler, Kaliswa Brewster & More to Star in THREE SISTERS AFTER CHEKHOV Reading at The Acting Company

The Acting Company has announced the complete cast for the reading of Mustapha Matura's new play Three Sisters After Chekhov. This is a part of the Reading Series in honor of The Acting Company's 50th anniversary. 

Eisemann Center Reveals Their 2023-2024 Season Lineup

The Eisemann Center and the City of Richardson announced the 2023-2024 Season of Eisemann Center Presents (ECP) at a City Council meeting Mon, May 8, 2023.

Theatre For A New Audience's Gala Honors Two Remarkable Women In Theatre: Ayanna Thompson And Audrey Hefferna

At its annual Spring Gala, Theatre for a New Audience will honor two luminaries of the theatre world and vital presences at TFANA.

Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Concert to Return to Times Square This Summer

The Broadway League’s Black to Broadway Initiative will present the third annual Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth concert in Times Square on Sunday, June 18th from 11:00am – 12:30pm (rain or shine).

2023 Second Stage Theater Uptown Series to Present TOROS By Danny Tejera This Summer

Second Stage Theater will present TOROS, written by Danny Tejera and directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, this summer at Second Stage Theater Uptown.

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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