Shore to Screen film on playwright August Wilson

August Wilson's childhood home at 1727 Bedford Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo: WQED Pittsburgh.

Shore Cultural Centre will screen the PBS American Masters documentary on playwright August Wilson, “The Ground on Which I Stand”, Monday, September 11 at 7:00pm in Room 152.  The showing of this film will kick off a series of events planned by Shore and the Euclid Public Library dedicated to the life and work of August Wilson.  “This is an excellent way in which people can get a real taste of Wilson and what’s in store for them at Shore and the Library regarding this important American playwright.”,  said Terrence Spivey, Shore Artistic Associate.  A panel discussion will follow the film featuring Spivey; Jimmie Woody, Tri-C Professor, actor and director; Cornell Calhoun III, Wilsonian actor; and Dianne McIntyre, Broadway choreographer/director.  A $5 donation is suggested for admission.   

PBS originally aired the film in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Wilson’s birth, the 10th anniversary of his death and Black History Month. This first documentary about the Tony and Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson (1945 – 2005) includes new interviews with film and stage luminaries and his family, scenes from his award-winning plays and more.

Wilson was an award-winning American playwright whose work illuminated the joys and struggles of the African-American experience in the United States during the 20th century.

Wilson’s greatest contribution to American culture is his defining 10-play cycle, one for each decade of the past century.  All but one is set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh.  The Shore Theatre Program will be presenting selections from the American Century Cycle beginning September 25 with a readers theatre production of Gem of the Ocean.   Call 216-289-8578 for further information or visit www.shorecuturalcentre.com.