Director Gregg T. Daniel and A Noise Within theatre remain dedicated to highlighting all of August Wilson’s powerful ‘American Century Cycle’ series of plays by staging the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “The Piano Lesson.”
A Noise Within continues its commitment to August Wilson’s ‘American Century Cycle’ by staging ‘King Hedley II,’ the second to the last play in the series by the prolific playwright
Sheldon Epps, one of the first Black artistic directors in American regional theatre, has written a new book entitled, “MY OWN DIRECTIONS: A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre.” Epps chronicles his tribulations and triumphs as a freelance director, which led him to the Pasadena Playhouse, where he served as artistic director for twenty years. During that time, he helmed many productions, also directing episodes of classic television shows along the way.
“In this full circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts. Her passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role,” announced Howard’s Provost Anthony K. Wutoh.
The mayor of Pittsburgh named today “August Wilson Day” in Pittsburgh, PA, 2019.
As Stanford’s vice provost for the past decade, Elam has been responsible for nearly all policies and programs relating to the university’s 7,200 undergraduate students. The Occidental board unanimously selected Elam at the conclusion of a national search, advised by a search committee drawn from all segments of the college community.
Now playing at the Mark Taper Forum, “Jitney” follows several men as they work day and night to maintain their beloved cab station and livelihood.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents the return of The Reverend Shawn Amos for A Night in Harlem on Friday, February 1 at 8:00pm. In celebration of African American History Month, blackbox curator, Amos, returns to the stage for an evening of songs and storytelling — presenting songs from his album, Harlem, for the first time in ten years. The American roots song cycle tells the story of 1920s black Americans’ migration from the south to Harlem. Amos’ album was inspired by the artists, songs and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.
Amazon Studios won a bidding war for the rights to produce the Shirley Chisholm film. The project is the first Amazon Studios production deal emerging from the partnership between Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions and Amazon.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that one year after the launch of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund the organization has hit a funding milestone, raising more than $10M dollars for this $25M initiative.
In the month of remembering, reading and raising up the work and life of August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005), arguably the most successful and celebrated playwright in U.S. history, one is unavoidably impressed with his unswerving, deep-rooted love and appreciation of his people and culture as the central source of his grounding, his expansive grasp of human life and his impressive creative production. Indeed, he said of Black people and his work, “What I tried to do…in all my works is to reveal the richness of the lives of the people who show that the largest ideas are contained in their lives and that there is a nobility to their lives.”
In 2016, the way in which playwright August Wilson’s words remain so timely and poignant is almost eerie. Though written in 1982, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, which is set in 1920s Chicago, gives a peek into the complex personal and professional lives of musicians seeking to literally and figuratively have their voices heard.