August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Content Collection
Ten plays. One playwright. One director. One century. August Wilson’s American Century Cycle depicts a century of Black American life, with one play per decade from 1900 to 2000. The result is a nuanced, rich, poetic portrayal of Black life that elevates the quotidian to the epic; a historical record; and a reflection of the struggles and triumphs of characters who leap from page to stage.
Check out these resources for academics, enthusiasts, educators to support your understanding of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, produced in its entirety at Court Theatre and directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson.
This Content Collection can be used on its own, or alongside any of the Learning Guides within the Century Cycle.
Learning Guides
- Gem of the Ocean (1900s)
- Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – Available in Winter 2026, once Court completes the Century Cycle! (1910s)
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (1920s)
- The Piano Lesson (1930s)
- Seven Guitars (1940s)
- Fences (1950s)
- Two Trains Running (1960s)
- Jitney (1970s)
- King Hedley II (1980s)
- Radio Golf (1990s)
Background
- All About August: Explore the background of this seminal playwright, and the Black Arts Movement he helped shape.
- The Power of Place: Nine of the ten plays in the Century Cycle take place in the Hill District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Learn more about this neighborhood here.
- An Elite Accomplishment: Ron OJ Parson joins the rank of only a few directors who have directed all ten plays in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle—all at one theatre. After working on 31 August Wilson plays, he closes out the cycle with number 32.
Activities
- Capturing a Century: The Century Cycle is a sweeping theatrical epic, cementing August Wilson’s place in history as a playwright and chronicler of the Black experience. Reflect on this body of work in this discussion activity.
- Authoring an Epic: Plan out an epic, generations-encompassing oeuvre of your own, inspired by some or all of the elements of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle.
Past Playbills
- Gem of the Ocean
- Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – Available in Winter 2026, once Court completes the Century Cycle!
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- The Piano Lesson
- Seven Guitars
- Fences – Unavailable
- Two Trains Running – Unavailable
- Jitney
- King Hedley II
- Radio Golf
Photos
- Production Photos (Gem of the Ocean)
- Production Photos (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone) – Available in Winter 2026, once Court completes the Century Cycle!
- Production Photos (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)
- Production Photos (The Piano Lesson)
- Production Photos (Seven Guitars)
- Production Photos (Fences)
- Production Photos (Two Trains Running)
- Production Photos (Jitney)
- Production Photos (King Hedley II)
- Production Photos (Radio Golf)
Feedback
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