Richard Shotwell/INVISION/AP
PITTSBURGH, PA (PTTP) — August Wilson was born in Pittsburgh on April 27, 1945 as the
4th of 7 kids. His father was out of the picture and he was raised by his mother. He dropped out
of highschool and picked up poetry. He later co-founded the Black Horizons Theatre where he
served as the director and was also an actor from time to time. He then moved to Minnesota
where he really focused on playwriting. His works were focused on the victories and struggles of
Black Americans. In 1991 he moved to Seattle, Washington and then married Constanza Romero
Wilson who was a costume designer. He was diagnosed with liver cancer and it ended up taking
his life in 2005.
He built up a plethora of works throughout his time. The American Century Cycle was
considered the centerpiece of his works, his first professional production was Black Bart and the
Sacred Hills, The Piano Lesson, which was later launched on Netflix and his last work, Radio
Golf, just to name a few. He won the Olivier Award for Best New Play for the rewritten version
of Jitney, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for The Piano Lesson, a Tony Award for Best Play for The
Piano Lesson, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play for The Piano Lesson.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 1611 Vine Street, August Wilson was given his star in the category of Live
Theatre/Live Performance. His wife, Constraza Romero Wilson, accepted the award on the
behalf of himself and his family. She was accompanied by Denzel Washington, Danielle
Deadwyler and the cast and filmmakers from The Piano Lesson.
To hear more about August Wilson and this honor of a lifetime, check out
https://walkoffame.com/august-wilson/