Seattle Rep's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED: Beyond the Theatre | The Seattle Public Library

August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned

(and How What I Learned Has Led Me to Places I've Wanted to Go. That I Have Sometimes Gone Unwillingly Is the Crucible in Which Many A Work of Art Has Been Fired.)

by Wilson, August

Book - 2018

The script of HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED, for your reading pleasure. The script of HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED, for your reading pleasure. Show less

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In Black and White

Conversations With African American Writers. Part Five August Wilson

Streaming Video - 2012

In this documentary Wilson talks about his childhood, self-education, writing, and work on the Pittsburgh Cycle, also known as the American Century Cycle. In this documentary Wilson talks about his childhood, self-education, writing, and work on the Pittsburgh Cycle, also known as the American Century Cycle. Show less

Part of the Access Video on Demand collection

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The Ground on Which I Stand

by Wilson, August

Book - 2001

In this 1996 keynote address, Wilson calls for Black artists to "seize the power over their own cultural identity and to establish permanent institut...Show more In this 1996 keynote address, Wilson calls for Black artists to "seize the power over their own cultural identity and to establish permanent institutions that celebrate and preserve the singular achievements of African American dramatic art and reaffirm its equal importance in contemporary American culture." Show less

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August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand

Streaming Video - 2015

This documentary explores the legacy of Wilson with interviews, dramatic readings and rare footage. Features James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Laurence Fishburne and Viola Davis. This documentary explores the legacy of Wilson with interviews, dramatic readings and rare footage. Features James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Laurence Fishburne and Viola Davis. Show less

Part of the Access Video on Demand collection

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August Wilson's Twentieth-century Cycle Plays

A Reader's Companion

by Sternlicht, Sanford

Book - 2015

This literary guide examines Wilson’s life as well as the themes, settings and characters in his American Century Cycle plays. This literary guide examines Wilson’s life as well as the themes, settings and characters in his American Century Cycle plays. Show less

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August Wilson

Writing and the Blues

Streaming Video - 2005

Wilson has long acknowledged the influence of blues music on his work. In this 1989 interview, he explores how he drew on this musical form to craft authentic representations of Black life in his plays. Wilson has long acknowledged the influence of blues music on his work. In this 1989 interview, he explores how he drew on this musical form to craft authentic representations of Black life in his plays. Show less

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Entertaining Race

Performing Blackness in America

by Dyson, Michael Eric

Book - 2021

Dyson's broad celebration of the enormous impact Black culture and politics has American life includes a chapter on the work of August Wilson. Dyson's broad celebration of the enormous impact Black culture and politics has American life includes a chapter on the work of August Wilson. Show less

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Fences

DVD - 2017

Denzel Washington directed and starred in this 2016 film adaptation of Wilson's play. The film garnered 4 Academy Award nominations, and Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose Maxson. Denzel Washington directed and starred in this 2016 film adaptation of Wilson's play. The film garnered 4 Academy Award nominations, and Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose Maxson. Show less

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August Wilson

A Life

by Hartigan, Patti

Book - 2023

Hartigan drew on her interviews with Wilson, his friends, family, and colleagues, as well as her research into Wilson's life and ancestry to create this authoritative biography. Hartigan drew on her interviews with Wilson, his friends, family, and colleagues, as well as her research into Wilson's life and ancestry to create this authoritative biography. Show less

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Music From the Netflix Film

by Marsalis, Branford

Music CD - 2020

Wilson's appreciation for the blues is on full display in his 1982 play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. On this soundtrack to the film adaptation of the play, B...Show more Wilson's appreciation for the blues is on full display in his 1982 play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. On this soundtrack to the film adaptation of the play, Branford Marsalis expertly recreates and reimagines the sound of blues icon Ma Rainey and other period standards. Show less

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The Romare Bearden Reader

Book - 2019

Wilson frequently cited his “Four B’s” of influence: the blues, Borges, Bearden and Baraka. Here novelists, poets, historians, critics, and playwrights, i...Show more Wilson frequently cited his “Four B’s” of influence: the blues, Borges, Bearden and Baraka. Here novelists, poets, historians, critics, and playwrights, including Wilson, reflect on painter-collagist Bearden's work and impact on Black American culture. Show less

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Smoketown

The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance

by Whitaker, Mark

Book - 2018

This portrait of Black life and cultural excellence in Pittsburgh in the 20th century includes a chapter on Wilson and his American Century Cycle. This portrait of Black life and cultural excellence in Pittsburgh in the 20th century includes a chapter on Wilson and his American Century Cycle. Show less

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Seattle Rep's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED website

https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202223-season/how-i-learned-what-i-learned/

Web Resource

Originally performed by August Wilson himself, How I Learned What I Learned is a heartfelt theatrical memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery ...Show more Originally performed by August Wilson himself, How I Learned What I Learned is a heartfelt theatrical memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity and what it means to be a Black artist in America. Helmed by celebrated Wilson director Tim Bond, this beautiful solo work brings Wilson’s necessary voice and gorgeous poetry back to Seattle Rep. This autobiographical odyssey had its world premiere at Seattle Rep in spring 2003 and this production will mark its 20th anniversary. Show less