Frederick August Kittel Jr
.April 27, 1945- October 2, 2005
Pioneering Theatrical Playwright
August Wilson, born Frederick August Kittel Jr. on April 27, 1945, left an indelible mark as an American playwright, earning the moniker “theater’s poet of Black America.” Renowned for The Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of 10 plays that eloquently narrate the African-American community’s experiences and heritage throughout the 20th century, Wilson became a literary force. Among his notable works, Fences (1987) and The Piano Lesson (1990) stand out, each securing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His exploration of themes such as the African-American experience, human condition, systemic exploitation, race relations, identity, migration, and racial discrimination elevated his storytelling to a profound level. In 2006, the American Theater Hall of Fame welcomed Wilson in recognition of his impactful contributions.
Wilson entered matrimony on three occasions. His initial union was with Brenda Burton, a partnership that spanned from 1969 to 1972. The fruits of their marriage included a daughter named Sakina Ansari, born in 1970. In 1981, he entered into a second marriage with Judy Oliver, a social worker. However, their marital journey concluded with a divorce in 1990. In 1994, Wilson embarked on a third marital venture, tying the knot with Constanza Romero, a costume designer whom he encountered on the set of The Piano Lesson. This union endured until his passing, and together, they had a daughter named Azula Carmen Wilson. At the time of his death, Wilson left behind surviving siblings: Freda Ellis, Linda Jean Kittel, Richard Kittel, Donna Conley, and Edwin Kittel.
Wilson revealed that he received a diagnosis of liver cancer in June 2005, with a prognosis indicating three to five months left to live. On October 2 of the same year, at the age of 60, he breathed his last at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. His final resting place is at Greenwood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, where he was interred on October 8.
The childhood residence of August Wilson and his six siblings, situated at 1727 Bedford Avenue in Pittsburgh, achieved historical landmark status granted by the State of Pennsylvania on May 30, 2007. The Pittsburgh City Council, acknowledging its significance, officially listed the house as part of the historic designations in the city on February 26, 2008. Further recognition came on April 30, 2013, when the August Wilson House was enrolled in the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.
Within Pittsburgh, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture stands as a testament to the playwright’s impact. Hosting a permanent exhibition titled “August Wilson: A Writer’s Landscape,” the center provides insights into Wilson’s life within Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
On October 16, 2005, a mere two weeks following Wilson’s passing, the Virginia Theatre in New York City’s Broadway Theater District underwent a symbolic transformation. Renamed the August Wilson Theatre, it became the inaugural Broadway venue to bear the name of an African-American. The theatre has since showcased various productions, including notable performances like Jersey Boys, Groundhog Day, and Mean Girls.
The August Wilson Monologue Competition, initiated in 2007 by Kenny Leon and Todd Kreidler, has become a prominent tribute to Wilson’s literary legacy. This competition engages high school students across several American cities, such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and more. Participants, guided by professionals, present monologues from Wilson’s plays, with the national winner earning the opportunity to perform on Broadway.
In Seattle, Washington, the south side of the Seattle Repertory Theatre now boasts the designation of August Wilson Way. The rechristening of the area along the vacated Republican Street on the Seattle Center grounds, between Warren Avenue N. and 2nd Avenue N., serves as a lasting acknowledgment of August Wilson’s enduring influence.
Honors and Awards Chronology:
- 1985: New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- 1986: Whiting Award for Drama
- 1987: Artist of the Year by Chicago Tribune
- 1988: Literary Lion Award from the New York Public Library
- 1988: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- 1988: New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play – Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
- 1990: Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Distinguished Pennsylvania Artists
- 1990: New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play – The Piano Lesson
- 1991: Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame award
- 1991: St. Louis Literary Award from the Saint Louis University Library Associates
- 1992: American Theatre Critics’ Association Award – Two Trains Running
- 1992, 2007: New York Drama Critics Circle Citation for Best American Play – Two Trains Running
- 1992: Clarence Muse Award
- 1996: New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play – Seven Guitars
- 1999: National Humanities Medal
- 2000: New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play – Jitney
- 2001: Outer Critics Circle Award for John Gassner Playwriting Award – Fences
- 2002: Olivier Award for Best new Play – Jitney
- 2004: The 10th Annual Heinz Award in Arts and Humanities
- 2004: The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Freedom of Speech Award
- 2005: Make Shift Award at the U.S. Confederation of Play Writers
- 2006: American Theatre Hall of Fame
- 2013: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival – The Piano Lesson
Beyond accolades, August Wilson’s legacy extends with honors such as the renaming of his childhood home as a historic landmark in 2007, followed by Pittsburgh City Council’s recognition in 2008. The August Wilson Theatre on Broadway, named posthumously in 2005, became a landmark in the theater district. In 2020, the University of Pittsburgh established the August Wilson Archive, preserving his literary papers and materials. In 2021, the United States Postal Service honored Wilson with a Forever stamp as part of the Black Heritage series. Numerous parks, centers, and competitions stand testament to the enduring impact of August Wilson’s contributions to American culture and the arts.