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August Wilson

By AdaX
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    Family Situation

    August Wilson was mixed, with a black mom and white dad. His father, Frederick August Kittel left his mom and family. August grew up with 5 siblings and his black stepfather. On Britannica, this seems to be mentioned because Wilson's perception of race is greatly displayed in his work.

  • Birth

    Birth
    August Wilson(at that time, "Frederick August Kittel") was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Attended parochial school of Holy Trinity

    Attended parochial school of Holy Trinity
    In the Lower Hill District, August Wilson attended this school until it was demolished in the late 1950s.This was replaced by the church of St. Benedict the Moor.
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    Black Nationalism

    This movement ,"sought to acquire economic power and to infuse among Black people a sense of community and group feeling"(Luebering). Involving people such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., this movement gained popularity among the US's black population. August Wilson was active and influenced by this movement.

  • Central Catholic High School

    Central Catholic High School
    During the one year at this predominately white school, Wilson faced racism and withdrew from the school, becoming a high school dropout at age 15.

  • Influences

    Influences
    "Wilson likes to say his work is inspired by the four Bs: Writers Amiri Baraka and Jorge Luis Borges, painter Romare Bearden, and the blues."(Morning Edition). His work is also heavily inspired by his own life, The "blues" can more specifically be noted as Bessie Smith, pictured below

  • Black Nationalism(pic of Martin Luther King Jr.

    Black Nationalism(pic of Martin Luther King Jr.
    1960-1975
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    Black Arts Movement

    August became a part of this movement in the late 1960s. According to Britannica, "the movement sought to create a populist art form to promote the idea of black separatism". August went on to become the cofounder and director of Black Horizons Theatre, in 1968.
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    First Marriage: Brenda Burton

    Wilson marries Brenda Burton and welcome a child in 1970. They later end up getting a divorce.

  • First child

    First child
    Sakina Ansari Wilson, Wilson and Brenda Burton's daughter is born. Photograph below of Sakina Ansari Wilson.

  • Black Art Movement

    Black Art Movement
    Some notable figure of this movement include people such as: Ntozake Shange, Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, and more.

  • First Play

    First Play
    Kuntu Repertory Theater produces Wilson's first play, 'The Homecoming' in 1976.

  • Relocates

    Relocates
    Wilson moves to St. Paul, Minnesota where he finds work as a writer for the St. Paul Science Museum.
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    2nd Marriage: Judy Oliver

    Wilson married social worker, Judy Oliver in 1981 and they got divorced in 1990. Wilson then moved to Seattle, Washington.

  • First Broadway hit: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

    First Broadway hit: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
    First Broadway hit: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. This was play was first developed at Playwrights Center in 1983, then Yale Repertory Theater in 1984, and then finally 1985.

  • Fences

    Fences
    Wilson received the Pulitzer for Drama for 'Fences' in 1987 and a Tony. This play got a revival with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in 2010, both who later starred in the film production of 'Fences'.

  • The Piano Lesson

    The Piano Lesson
    Wilson received the Pulitzer Prize for 'The Piano Lesson' in 1990. This play also had a revival in 2022-2023, and got a film adaption made for it.

  • 3rd marriage: Constanza Romero

    3rd marriage: Constanza Romero
    This playwright and costume designer got married in 1994 and remained together until his death in 2005.

  • Azula Carmen Wilson

    Azula Carmen Wilson
    Constanza Romero and August Wilson welcome their child, Azula Carmen Wilson on

  • Liver Cancer and Death

    Liver Cancer and Death
    August Wilson at 60, was told that the cancer was too advanced to treat effectively. He ended up collapsing and dying on October 2, 2005. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

  • American Theater Hall of Fame

    Almost a year after his death, August Wilson is inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

  • References

    1.https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/august-wilson-4362
    2.https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/august-wilson-the-ground-on-which-i-stand-august-wilsonbiography-and-career-timeline/3683/
    3.August Wilson: A Life by Patti Hartigan
    4.https://www.britannica.com/biography/August-Wilson
    5.https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Arts-movement