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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

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Play

August Wilson, Radio Golf


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2007 - Best American Play

August Wilson, Radio Golf

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Play

August Wilson, Radio Golf

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Play

August Wilson, Gem of the Ocean


winner
Olivier Awards - 2002 - The BBC Award for Best New Play

August WilsonJitney

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Play

August Wilson, King Hedley II


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding New Play

August Wilson, Jitne


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - The American Express Tribute

August Wilson


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Best Play

August Wilson, Jitney

The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, King Hedley II

The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, King Hedley II


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Play

August Wilson, Seven Guitars

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Play

August Wilson, Seven Guitars

The Pulitzer Prize - 1995 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, Seven Guitars


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - Best American Play

August Wilson, Two Trains Running

The Pulitzer Prize - 1992 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, Two Trains Running

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Play

August Wilson, Two Trains Running


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding New Play

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Play

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1990 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August WilsonThe Piano Lesson

Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Play

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson

The Pulitzer Prize - 1989 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, The Piano Lesson

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

August Wilson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone


winner
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


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1987 - Best Play

August Wilson, Fences


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1987 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

August Wilson, Fences


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1987 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

August Wilson, Fences


winner
Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Play

August Wilson, Fences

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Play

August Wilson, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom


winner
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


Photos: Cara Delevingne and Luke Treadaway Enter Final Five Weeks in CABARET in London


Additional production photos have been released for CABARET at the Kit Kat Club, as Cara Delevingne and Luke Treadaway enter their last five weeks as Sally Bowles and The Emcee, respectively.

CABARET's MiMi Scardulla Announces Engagement to Partner Skylar Soehner


MiMi Scardulla, who is currently playing Texas in Cabaret, took to Instagram to announce her engagement to partner Skylar Soehner. She revealed that Soehner proposed following the April 18 performance of Cabaret, which is also Scardulla's 30th birthday.

Broadway Buying Guide: April 29, 2024- New Shows Top 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, April 29, 2024.

Video: Watch a Montage from August Wilson's JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE at Goodman Theatre


Watch a montage from August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, extended at the Goodman Theatre through May 19.

Video: Eddie Redmayne Talks CABARET on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK


Eddie Redmayne joined Live with Kelly and Mark on Thursday to discuss his role in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which just opened on Broadway. Having previously played the role of the Emcee in London, Redmayne highlighted the difference between American and British audiences and his character to the show. Watch the interview here!

Review: JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE at Goodman Theatre


Under the meticulous direction of Chuck Smith, the Goodman’s newest revival of JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE emphasizes the play’s continued relevance through masterful performances that find cause for celebration and laughter even in the face of oppression. The production has already been extended through May 19 due to popular demand.

Staged Reading of August Wilson's RADIO GOLF to be Presented at Alley Theatre


Alley Theatre will host a staged reading of August Wilson’s Radio Golf in collaboration with the Freedmen’s Town Museums of Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum, Inc. and The Ensemble Theatre. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: Go Inside the Kit Kat Club with the CABARET Cast and Creative Team


The Kit Kat Club has taken over the August Wilson Theatre and in this video, watch as the cast and creative team explain how they brought the exciting new revival to life for Broadway.

Shop CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway Merch in the Theater Shop


Shop Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway Merch in BroadwayWorld's Theatre Shop! Show merch available for purchase includes a unique silk scarf, mugs, show shirt, hat, sweatshirt, Cabaret postcard and more.

A Noise Within Announces 2024-25 'True Grit' Season


Acclaimed theater company A Noise Within has announced six-plays for 2024-25 — a family-friendly modern classic; a play from August Wilson's “American Century Cycle”; a holiday show; a Shakespeare; a new adaptation; and a musical — each of which exhibits “True Grit.”

JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE Extends at Goodman Theatre


Tonight, longtime August Wilson interpreter Chuck Smith’s major revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone opens—and extends its run. Learn how to purchase tickets !

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 25, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 25, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

POTUS, a World Premiere & More Set for Trinity Rep 2024-25 Season


Trinity Repertory Company has unveiled its 61st season. Learn how to purchase tickets!

CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Cancels Today's Matinee Due to Cast Illness


Today's April 24th matinee performance of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has been cancelled due to cast illness. 

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Celebrates 10 Years in Baltimore and Announces Its 2024-2025 Season


Celebrate the 10th anniversary of CSC in Baltimore with their 2024-2025 season. Discover the exciting lineup of shows and join the festivities marking a decade of exceptional theater.

Cast Set For THE COFFIN MAKER World Premiere At Pittsburgh Public Theater


Discover the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of THE COFFIN MAKER at Pittsburgh Public Theater. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: CABARET Cast Serves Double the Red Carpet Looks on Opening Weekend


Rebecca Frecknall's production of Cabaret celebrated not one, but two opening nights at the August Wilson Theatre and you can check out photos of all of the best fashions from both nights here.

Video: Bebe Neuwirth Talks Returning to Broadway with CABARET on CBS MORNINGS


Bebe Neuwirth, who is currently playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, visited CBS Mornings on Tuesday. She discussed her return to Broadway after ten years away, and what she loves about the show and this production in particular. Watch the interview here!

Theater Resources Unlimited Meet The Coaches 2024 Virtual Workshop


Join Theater Resources Unlimited's Meet the Coaches 2024, a virtual workshop for actors preparing for the TRU Audition.

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin to Talk CABARET on TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA This Friday


Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna this week! On Friday April 26, the Cabaret stars will be on TODAY to talk the new production, which is currently running at the August Wilson Theatre. The program airs 10:00-11:00 a.m. EDT on NBC.

August Wilson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has August Wilson written?

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).

What awards has August Wilson been nominated for?

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."

What awards has August Wilson won?

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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