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August Wilson Headshot

August Wilson

Date of Death: October 02, 2005 (60)

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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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.

Photos

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

Videos

News


WINE IN THE WILDERNESS Joins Outdoor Rep Season at Theatricum Botanicum
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2025

Performances of Alice Childress' Wine in the Wilderness have joined the outdoor summer repertory “Season of Resilience” at Will Geer Theatricum. Learn more!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 1, 2025
by - Jul 1, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 1, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Taraji P. Henson and Cedric 'The Entertainer' Will Lead JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Jun 30, 2025

Taraji P. Henson and Cedric “The Entertainer” will star in a new production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Broadway. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
The Classical Theatre of Harlem to Present PERSON PLACE THING with Randy Cohen and Will Power
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 27, 2025

The Classical Theatre of Harlem will present a special edition of Person Place Thing with host Randy Cohen and guest Will Power, acclaimed playwright and creator of CTH's highly anticipated summer production, MEMNON.
Fleetwood- Jourdain Theatre Reveals Cast For Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's PASS OVER
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2025

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Evanston's celebrated company devoted to presenting dynamic Black American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling, has announced the cast for PASS OVER, a play by Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu, which is a provocative riff on WAITING FOR GODOT and THE BOOK OF EXODUS.
The Huntington to Present Work-in-progress Presentation Of Mahira Kakkar's A MONGOOSE SPEAKS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 24, 2025

The Huntington will present a work-in-progress presentation of A Mongoose Speaks, written by Mahira Kakkar and directed by Danilo Gambini. Learn more.
Video: Watch Marisha Wallace Sing 'Maybe This Time' From CABARET
by Michael Major - Jun 23, 2025

Watch Broadway's next Sally Bowles, Marisha Wallace, singing 'Maybe This Time' from the beloved Kander & Ebb musical. Wallace will be joining the hit Broadway musical, alongside Billy Porter as the Emcee, on Tuesday, July 22.
Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace to Join CABARET; Production to Close in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025

Emmy Award, GRAMMY Award, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter and two-time Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace will star as ‘Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ in the Tony Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.
Review: THE PIANO LESSON at 1st Stage
by Laurie Sara Oliver - Jun 16, 2025

August Wilson is one of America’s greatest playwrights, and The Piano Lesson may be one of his greatest works. The writing is so powerful, I’m not sure you could stage a bad version if you tried. 
KUFRE N' QUAY Comes to Boston Arts Academy With Wheelock Family Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 13, 2025

The Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre will continue the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle with the world premiere of, Kufre n’ Quay, at the Boston Arts Academy this summer.
1st Stage Extends August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2025

1st Stage has announced that August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by Danielle A. Drakes, has been extended. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL Comes to Wolverhampton in 2026
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2025

The award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL is coming to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next year. Learn more about the show and find out how to get tickets here!
Further Details Revealed For UK and Ireland Tour of MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Jun 10, 2025

Further details have been announced for the 2026/2027 UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL. The tour will open at Manchester Opera House in February.
Andi Chapman Directs West Coast Premiere of BERTA, BERTA At Echo Theater Company
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2025

The Echo Theater Company will present the West Coast premiere of Berta, Berta a sensuous love story by Angelica Chéri that was inspired by a prison chain gang song from Parchman Farm.
Shakespeare & Company Completes 2025 Season Lineup with MOTHER PLAY And More
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 6, 2025

Shakespeare & Company has unveiled the final productions rounding out its 2025 season, including the regional premiere of Paula Vogel’s Mother Play: a play in five evictions, a new family-friendly Shakespearean circus experience, and the return of its Plays in Process and winter programming.
Shakespeare & Company Adds CIRCUS & THE BARD, MOTHER PLAY and More To Season 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 5, 2025

Shakespeare & Company has revealed its remaining titles of Season 2025, including Circus & The Bard, co-created by Allyn Burrows, Robin Eldridge, and Pedro Reis; Mother Play: a play in five evictions by Paul Vogel. Learn more here!
The 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards Winner Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025

The 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards ceremony was held at The Huntington Theatre in Boston. See the full list of winners here and learn more about the Awards!
Interview: Steve H Broadnax III of ME AND THE DEVIL at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jun 2, 2025

Currently on stage at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre through Sunday, June 8, is the World Premiere of ME AND THE DEVIL, written and directed by the Rep’s new Artistic Director, Steve H. Broadnax III. Described as his “love note to the South,” the production pulses with blues, brims with drama, and drips with decadence—everything we love in a show. A few days before opening night, we had the privelege to get to know this powerhouse artist.
SCANDALOUS BOY Extended at Open Space Arts Through Late June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2025

Open Space Arts will present a three-weekend extension of its production of SCANDALOUS BOY, by David Atfield. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
August Wilson's FENCES to Open at AMC Performance Company
by Emmy Rice - Jun 1, 2025

Just in time for Juneteenth and Father's Day, Atlanta's vibrant theater scene welcomes a powerful new production of August Wilson's Fences-a cornerstone of American drama-staged by AMC Performance Company at the Encore Film & Music Studio.

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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