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August Wilson's journey from a poet to a renowned playwright is marked by his creation of the American Century Cycle, which reflects on African American experiences across different decades. His plays, like 'Fences' and 'The Piano Lesson,' offer insights into racial discrimination, cultural heritage, and resilience, earning him multiple awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes. His legacy continues through the August Wilson Theatre and the National August Wilson Monologue Competition.
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August Wilson's family background, particularly his mother's strong cultural identity, greatly influenced his worldview
Wilson's early experiences with racism, including a racially charged incident that led him to drop out of high school, shaped his perspective and inspired his later work
Despite dropping out of high school, Wilson continued his education independently at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where he immersed himself in African American literature and found inspiration from writers such as Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, and Richard Wright
After co-founding the Black Horizon Theater in Pittsburgh, Wilson's focus shifted from poetry to theater, leading to the beginning of his career in drama
Wilson's move to St. Paul, Minnesota proved pivotal for his playwriting career, as it was there that he wrote his first major play, "Jitney."
Wilson's monumental achievement, the American Century Cycle, consists of ten plays that chronicle the African American experience throughout the twentieth century, exploring themes of racial discrimination, cultural heritage, and personal resilience
Wilson's body of work received widespread critical acclaim, earning him multiple awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama
Wilson's plays were celebrated for their authentic portrayal of African American life and their lyrical, powerful language, leaving a lasting impact on American theater
The National August Wilson Monologue Competition, established in 2007, invites high school students to perform pieces from Wilson's plays, fostering a new generation's connection to his work
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The renowned playwright ______ ______ was born on ______ ______, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
August Wilson
April 27
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After leaving high school, Wilson educated himself at the ______ ______ of ______, where he explored African American literature.
Carnegie Library
Pittsburgh
02
Wilson's mother's last name adoption reason
Honored mother post father's 1965 death
