|
|
|
African-American History
August Wilson
Born on April 27, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA, and named Frederick
August Kittel, Wilson adopted his mother's maiden name in the early 1970s.
At about the age of 15, Wilson dropped out of Catholic High School.
Around that time, Wilson discovered the "Negro section" of the Pittsburgh
Public Library and spent many hours reading there.
In 1971, he began his literary career by writing poetry. Following a
string of critically acclaimed plays, his play Ma Rainey, was accepted
at the O'Neill Center for Playwrights Workshop. In 1985, Ma Rainey went
on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play of 1984-85.
During this time, Pittsburgh's Allegheny Repertory Theater produced another
of his works, Jitney.
In 1983, Wilson wrote Fences, which opened on Broadway in 1987 and went
on to win a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award and the New York Drama Critics
Circle Award. Another play of Wilson's to win the coveted Pulitzer Prize
was Piano Lesson, which opened on Broadway in 1990.
Mr. Fletcher welcomes your comments
and feedback.
Simply click on the name of the Painted Voice you'd like
to view:
|
