For the final season of August Wilson, and in keeping with our mission as an organization to “promote a greater understanding of the contributions of African Americans” and provide a space and place for Black artists to create unapologetically, we have planned a week long symposium to be held at the close of our season and the completion of the production of all ten plays. Taking place October 23-28, we will have panel discussions and master classes by four professional practitioners and a performance of Wilson’s theatrical memoir, How I Learned What I Learned. 

During this week, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Justin Emeka and Teresa Dowell-Vest have all agreed to join us in Charlottesville to have a weeklong discussion of Wilson, his importance and his legacy to the African American experience and the Black theatrical canon. They will be joined by local practitioners, Ti Ames, Richelle Claiborne, Derick Williams, Brandon Lee and others in conversation concerning the intricacies of Wilson’s play and character construction. Topics of conversation will include: Making Wilsonian Soldiers, The Men of August Wilson, The Women of August Wilson, Wilson Cadence & Lyrical Content, Wilson, Music & Spirit, Wilson, Justice & Revolution and will close with a large panel consisting of local practitioners who have been involved in our productions and the professional practitioners that have taught, directed and acted in this work.

MASTER CLASSES

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates: THE BLACK ACTORS APPROACH

Justin Emecka: SHAKESPEARE AND THE BLACK AESTHETIC

Teresa Dowell-Vest: DIRECTING THE BLACK THEATRICAL VOICE