Inspiration

Be Inspired To Be A Playwright By August Wilson

Published

8 years ago

April 27, 2016

Broadway Black

Some people make resolutions around New Years.

Some people make vows at weddings and renew them again on their anniversaries.

So, today dear writer I challenge you to make a vow on August Wilson Day. Say it with me: I am a playwright.

Say it with me: I am a playwright.

I know you are scared and nervous. I know your parents told you playwrighting is akin to unemployment (which it may be at least akin to underemployment). But on this day ground yourself in the affirming work of one of the greatest playwrights of all time.

Today August Wilson (actually Frederick August Kittel, Jr.) was born in Pittsburgh, PA. circa 1945 of course. Here is a man who, despite many challenges growing up, created what is now the foundation for black theatrical work. He listened to the world, and the world told him stories. Correction. The world told him OUR stories. And he recorded them for us.

Here is a list of his work which spans over 30 years.

Recycle – 1973

Black Bart and the Sacred Hills – 1977

Fullerton Street – 1980

Jitney – 1982

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – 1984

Fences – 1987

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – 1988

The Homecoming – 1989

The Coldest Day of the Year – 1989

The Piano Lesson – 1990

Two Trains Running – 1991

Seven Guitars – 1995

King Hedley II – 1999

Gem of the Ocean – 2003

How I Learned What I Learned – 2003

Radio Golf – 2005

You must buy all his work, read it, study it. His work will be your bible. The number of actors and writers not to mention fans who have been influenced by him are beyond the pages on this website. But thankfully if you will get a chance to relive some of his greatest work on HBO, as Denzel Washington is producing his more popular work for the small screen.

One fan created an entire slide show of Mr. Wilson’s life and work.

And since you are taking the playwright oath know that there is no better day to be a playwright. And no better source for writing information.

Here is Wilson on writing and creating drama.

Here is Wilson explaining writing about the black experience.

Finally here is a panel of distinguished theater folk including Kenny Leon and Ruben Santiago-Hudson discussing Wilson’s legacy.

So dear writer, claim your place among the great heroes who dare to hear voices and move them onto a stage. You can do this. You can do this because August paved the way. You owe it to him. You owe it to us.

Related Topics:August Wilson Denzel Washing Fences Gem of the Ocean HBO Jitney King Hedley II Seven Guitars

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Events and Happenings

Iconic Entertainer Gregory Hines Honored With a Black Heritage Series Stamp

Published

5 years ago

February 6, 2019

Drew Shade

Savion Glover; Maurice Hines, Gregory’s brother; and Daria Hines, Gregory’s daughter Photo courtesy of USPS

The U.S. Postal Service honored iconic entertainer Gregory Hines with a Black Heritage Series stamp in a ceremony on January 28th. As the 42nd entry in the series, the stamp featuring a 1988 photo of a smiling Hines is now available at Post Offices and usps.com.

At the ceremony Tony Award winner Savion Glover talked about the role Hines played in elevating tap into an art form and the value of his work. Joining him in the celebration were Maurice Hines, actor, dancer, choreographer, and Hines’ brother; Daria Hines, actress, costume designer, and Hines’ daughter; dancers Chloe and Maud Arnold; Tony Waag, the American Tap Dance Foundation’s artistic director, and tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith.

“I don’t exist without this man,” said Glover, “These young people that you see, they aren’t born without this. We are not here today without this.”

The Chief Postal Inspector, Gary Barksdale, who led the ceremony, said “Gregory Hines was an extraordinary artist in every sense of the word. This Forever stamp pays tribute to his life and career as an actor, singer and most importantly, as a performer whose unique style of tap dancing injected new artistry and excitement into a traditional American form.”

Gregory Hines’ Broadway credits include Eubie!, Sophisticated Ladies, & Comin’ Uptown, all of which garnered him Tony Award nominations. He became a Tony Award winner for his starring role in “Jelly’s Last Jam” in 1992. In 2003 he passed away at 57 years old from cancer.

Maurice Hines & Daris Hines

Tap Dancers Chloe and Maud Arnold

Savion Glover; Maurice Hines, Gregory’s brother; and Daria Hines, Gregory’s daughter Photo courtesy of USPS

Chief Postal Inspector, Gary Barksdale

Events and Happenings

Casts of Disney’s The Lion King, Frozen, & Aladdin Broadway Celebrate Black History Month

Published

5 years ago

February 5, 2019

Drew Shade

Noah Ricketts, Aisha Jackson, Donald Jones Jr. Photo by Darnell Bennett

It’s a beautiful time to be Black on Broadway. For Black History Month, the casts of The Lion King, Aladdin, and Frozen on Broadway came together in a celebratory photo shoot with photographer Darnell Bennett involving 35+ company cast members.

Take a look at the behind-the-scenes video above and the accompanying photos below.

Cast members included The Lion King‘s Tryphena Wade, Lawrence Keith Alexander, Brian C. Binion, Lidiwe Dlamini, Donna Michelle Vaughn, LaMar Baylor, Kyle Lamar Mitchell, Bradley Gibson, Jamal Lee Harris, Elisha Bowmans, Ray Mercer, L. Steven Taylor, Bongi Duma, Kimberly Marable, Syndee Winters, Cameron Amandus, Pearl Khwezi, Jaysin McCollum, Angelica Edwards, India Bolds, Bonita Hamilton, Tshidi Manye, & Bravita Threatt.

Also, Noah Ricketts, Aisha Jackson, Donald Jones Jr. of Frozen, and Aladdin‘s Tyler Roberts, Paige Williams, Deonte L Warren, Tiffany Evariste, Major Attaway, Amber Owens, Jamie Kasey Patterson, April Holloway, Kathryn Allison, Ariel Reid, Juwan Crawley, Trent Saunders, Dennis Stowe, and Stanley Martin.