August Wilson Quotes

August Wilson was an American playwright known for his ten-play cycle, "The Pittsburgh Cycle," which chronicles the African American experience in the 20th century. Wilson's plays, including "Fences," "The Piano Lesson," and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," have earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Pulitzer Prizes. His poignant and powerful depictions of African American life and history continue to resonate with audiences and contribute to the richness of American theater.

All art is political in the sense that it serves s... -August Wilson

All art is political in the sense that it serves someone's politics.

August Wilson , Playwright
Discovering the context

The quote suggests that all artistic expressions inherently carry political implications or serve the interests of certain political perspectives or ideologies, indicating the interconnectedness of art and politics in shaping or reflecting societal values.

I once wrote a short story called 'The Best Blues Singer in the World,' and it went like this: 'The streets that Balboa walked were his own private ocean, and Balboa was drowning.' End of story. That says it all. Nothing else to say. I've been rewriting that same story over and over again. All my plays are rewriting that same story.

August Wilson , Playwright

Jazz in itself is not struggling. That is, the music itself is not struggling... It's the attitude that's in trouble. My plays insist that we should not forget or toss away our history.

August Wilson , Playwright

Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.

August Wilson , Playwright

Once I started to value and respect my characters, I could really hear them. I just let them start talking.

August Wilson , Playwright

I've seen some terrible plays, but I generally enjoy myself. One play I walked out of, I have a tremendous respect for the author. That was Robert Wilson, something called 'Network,' which consisted of Wilson sitting on a bunk, the dialogue of the movie 'Network' looped in while a chair on a rope went up and down.

August Wilson , Playwright

I haven't read Ibsen, Shaw, Shakespeare - except 'The Merchant of Venice' in ninth grade. I'm not familiar with 'Death of a Salesman.' I haven't read Tennessee Williams.

August Wilson , Playwright

Popular Topic