11/25/19

Through his writing, August Wilson celebrated African-American identity. Inspired by his example and his plays, Trinity Rep will host a special event that celebrates African-American tradition, music, and history — as well as the work of August Wilson. We will host a Sunday Dinner at 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 1, following the closing performance of Radio Golf.

Joe Wilson, Jr. in the Radio Golf show art. Art by Michael Guy.

Director of Community Engagement Michelle Cruz will lead attendees in discussion that will include the world of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle. (No prior knowledge of Wilson’s work is required, but you can read more about them here.) Since these plays span the entirety of the twentieth century, it provides an excellent opportunity to think about what has changed and what hasn’t in the Black community over time. What do neighborhoods in cities like Pittsburgh, NYC, our own Providence, and other communities face now with gentrification, or economic challenges?

Attendees will also discuss Wilson’s statement about Radio Golf: “One of the things with Radio Golf is that I realized I had to in some way deal with the Black middle class, which for the most part is not in the other nine plays. My idea was that the Black middle class seems to be divorcing themselves from that community, making their fortune on their own without recognizing or acknowledging their connection to the larger community.”

The dinner will feature food from Black farmers from Pittsburgh and New England and will take place on the set of Radio Golf.

Space is limited. For more information, visit TrinityRep.com/sundaydinner.