The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
A sign detailing the August Wilson’s Society’s Biennial Colloquium schedule stands in front of the Hillman Library Archives and Special Collections room on Thursday, April 3.

August Wilson Society sells out 2025 Celebration Colloquium

By Kelly Kowalewski, Staff Writer • April 7, 2025

August Wilson, a two-time Pulitzer-winning playwright, African American poet and Pittsburgh legend, lives on via the August Wilson Society, or the AWS.  The August Wilson Society, established by Dr....

A performer at the “Poetry Unplugged” event during the Hooks and Phonics Festival at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Friday night.

August Wilson Center celebrates poetry and hip-hop with Hooks & Phonics Festival

By Daniella Levick, Staff Writer • January 22, 2024

“Poetry Unplugged” proved that words can create community out of consternation, oppose oppression, promote self-expression and guide enduring change over the weekend.  The August Wilson African...

A poster for the student-produced series “Where’s Everybody At?” by the Howard University Film Organization.

August Wilson Center’s Black Bottom Film Festival spotlights Black storytelling

By Irene Castillo, Staff Writer • October 31, 2023

After three years of waiting, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s film festival has returned to Pittsburgh. The Black Bottom Film Festival (BBFF), held from Oct. 27 to 29, presented...

A Tab Bit of Tea | Behind the Scenes on August Wilson's “Seven Guitars”’

A Tab Bit of Tea | Behind the Scenes on August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars”’

By Elizabeth Amstutz, For The Pitt News • March 23, 2023
In this first edition of A Tab Bit of Tea, Elizabeth Amstutz talks about her experience working on lights for Pitt’s production of “Seven Guitars.”
Pitt Stages brings August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ back to Pittsburgh

Pitt Stages brings August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ back to Pittsburgh

By Sarah Pine, For The Pitt News • February 19, 2023
Pitt Stages is presenting “Seven Guitars,” written by August Wilson, to celebrate the arrival of 450 boxes of August Wilson’s archives to Hillman Library. The production will run this week from Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
In partnership with the August Wilson House, the University Library System at Pitt’s Hillman Library is the first stop of an exhibit showcasing new and original artwork created by ten local Pittsburgh artists.

‘Art for August’ traveling art exhibit celebrates playwright’s legacy

By Maria Scanga, Staff Writer • November 2, 2021
Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson may have passed away in 2005, but the Hill District native left a strong legacy — which the “Art for August” traveling exhibit is helping keep alive.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a play by Pittsburgh native August Wilson, was adapted into a film by director George C. Wolfe and writer Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Review: ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ is solid, if inexact, adaptation of a classic

By Sinead McDevitt, Senior Staff Writer • January 22, 2021
Ma Rainey and her band are recording her new record, but several incidents make the process rather long and troublesome.
Playwright August Wilson was born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

Pitt acquires archive of late playwright August Wilson

By Charlie Taylor, Culture Editor • October 30, 2020
Wilson wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning plays “Fences” and “The Piano Lesson,” which are part of his 10-play “Pittsburgh Cycle,” or “American Century Cycle.”
Christopher Rawson (left) wrote two articles in the first volume of the Pitt-published journal devoted to playwright August Wilson (right).

Pitt publishes open-access August Wilson Journal

By Benjamin Nigrosh, Staff Writer • October 29, 2019
When Pitt published the first volume of the first scholarly journal on famed Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson in June, the creators felt it was important that the journal be free for anyone to access.
Wenhao Wu | Senior Staff Photographer

‘Fences’ finds fresh audience at staged reading

By Matt Maielli / Staff Writer • March 16, 2016

The title of August Wilson’s “Fences” might sound like a dividing play, but Wednesday afternoon it united an auditorium full of people. Visiting anthropology professor Philip Kao’s Intro to Cultural...

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