The GENIUS of August Wilson

Biography of August Wilson
April 27, 1945:Born Frederick August Kittel to Daisy Wilson and Frederick Kittel, a red-haired baker who emigrated from Germany at 10. The fourth child of six, his siblings are: Freda Ellis (the Hill), Linda Jean Denoya (Swissvale), Edwin Kittel (Dormont), Donna Conley (Erie), Richard Kittel.Family later moves to Hazelwood then back to the Hill.
1959:
Only black student in Central Catholic High School; threats and abuse drive him away. Connelley Vocational proves unchallenging.
1960:
Drops out of Gladstone High School 10th grade when a teacher accuses him of plagiarizing a 20-page paper on Napoleon. Gets his own education at the library and on the street.
1962-63:
Enlists in U.S. Army for three years, leaves after one.
1963:
Varied jobs - porter, short-order cook, gardener, dishwasher.
1965:
Discovers the blues - Bessie Smith's "Nobody Can Bake a Sweet Jelly Roll Like Mine."
Death of biological father, Frederick Kittel; changes name to August Wilson.
Buys his first typewriter (); writes poetry.
Moves into rooming house on Bedford Avenue.
1968:
Co-founds Black Horizon Theater with Rob Penny.
1969:
Death of stepfather, David Bedford.
Marries Brenda Burton.
1970:
Daughter Sakina Ansari Wilson born (Jan. 22).
1972:
Marriage ends.
1976:
Vernell Lillie directs his "The Homecoming" for Kuntu Theater.
Sees "Sizwe Bansi Is Dead" at Public Theater, his first professional play.
1977:
Writes "Black Bart and the Sacred Hills."
1978:
Moves to St. Paul, Minn., with advice of friend Claude Purdy; lands job writing for Science Museum.
1980:
Fellowship at Minneapolis Playwrights Center.
1981:
Marries Judy Oliver, social worker.
1982:
National Playwrights Conference at O' Neill Theater Center accepts "Ma Rainey"; meets O' Neill chief Lloyd Richards, who goes on to direct his six plays on Broadway.
"Jitney" staged by Allegheny Repertory Theatre in Pittsburgh.
1983:
Death of Daisy Wilson.
1984:
"Ma Rainey" opens on Broadway.
1985:
"Ma Rainey" wins his first New York Drama Critics award.
1986:
Reunion of Centre Avenue Poets Theater Workshop with Maisha Baton, Rob Penny, etc.
1987:
"Fences" opens on Broadway, wins Pulitzer, grosses million in its first year (Broadway record for a non-musical).
Kuntu stages Pittsburgh premiere of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
1988:
"Joe Turner" opens on Broadway.
Lectures at The Carnegie's Man and Ideas series on "Blacks, Blues and Cultural Imperialism."
Appears on Bill Moyers' "World of Ideas" (PBS).
1989:
"Fences" first Wilson play staged by Pittsburgh Public Theater.
Named 1990 Pittsburgher of the Year by Pittsburgh Magazine.
1990:
Speech at 1990 Pittsburgher of Year award.
"Piano Lesson" opens on Broadway, wins Pulitzer Prize.
Marriage ends; moves to Seattle.
1991:
"Three Plays by August Wilson," University of Pittsburgh Press.
1992:
Receives honorary degree from Pitt, speaks at Honors Convocation.
"Two Trains Running" opens on Broadway.
Tour of "Piano Lesson" plays Fulton Theater.
1994:
Marries Constanza Romero, costume designer.
"Piano Lesson" filmed in Pittsburgh.
1995:
"Piano Lesson" broadcast on Hallmark Hall of Fame.
1996:
"Seven Guitars" hits Broadway.
Revises "Jitney" for professional premiere at Pittsburgh Public Theater.
1997:
Public debate in New York City with critic Robert Brustein on status of black theater.
Azula Carmen Wilson born, Aug. 27.
1998:
Convenes Dartmouth conference on African American Theater that establishes African Grove Institute of the Arts; major "gathering of the tribes" planned for 2002.
1999:
Honored at 100th anniversary of Hill District Branch Library (March 18).
Round-table discussion with three other black playwrights at Public Theater. Marion McClinton says, "August is Michael Jackson at this table."
Named by Post-Gazette as top Pittsburgh cultural power broker.
"King Hedley II" premieres.
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