John+B


 * August Wilson Biography **

August Wilson is a famous American Play writer who is well known for his plays // Fences // and // the Piano Lesson. // Wilson was born in Pittsburg in 1945 and dropped out of high school at the age of 15. In the late 1960’s he joined the black arts movement and became the cofounder of a theatre in Pittsburg called “Black Horizon” while publishing poetry in journals. In 1978 Wilson moved to Minnesota and began writing plays a few years later.

Jazz Music and African American life were common reoccurring themes in Wilsons plays. August Wilson Wrote plays describing the life of African Americans living in the 1900s. His First major play called // Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom // showed in Broadway in 1984. The play was written about blues singers and black musicians in Chicago. In 1985 Wilson wrote // Fences, // a play about conflicts between a father and his son. // Fences // later won him a Tony award for best play. In 1988 Wilson wrote // Joe Turner’s Come and Gone //, a play about people living in a boarding house in the early 1900s. // The Piano Lesson // was written after and was about a family living in the 1930s about a family selling a heirloom. Wilson continued to make several more plays later on.

August Wilson left a significant influence of the theatre and literary communities. He won many honors as well as seven New York drama critics circle awards for his plays. After his death in 2005, 14 days later a theatre in New York was renamed after him in his honor.


 * History of the Blues**

Blues Music, originated in the south from African Slaves during their work in the fields. After the Civil War slaves did not have many options other than staying where they are or traveling and looking for other work. When they traveled, they took the blues with them, singing about things that happened in their daily lives.

In 1909 a blues song named //Memphis Blues// by W.C. Handy quickly became popular, especially among the ones who have traveled from the south. By 1920 many of the most popular blues musicians were born and other forms of the blues were later created such as the Chicago blues and Jazz. During the great depression, the southerners traveled north, bringing the blues with them where nightclubs featured artists who sang the blues and added guitars and drums to the sound. Such artists include, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf and their bands. B.B. King later added the concept of a lead guitar to the music for a different sound.

Today, the blues is still admired and performed by many. The creation of the music has come a long way to where it is today with many modern day artists like //the Rolling Stones// and //Cream//. The African movement made a significant change in music history.

= = =Personal Research Template= (i.e., text, graphic, sound, video) || **Brief Summary / Description of Resource** || Source #1 || August Wilson's "fences" || Text || The article provides an overview of the story Fences written by August Wilson. The novel was written in 1983 and won the author the Pulitzer Prize. It goes in depth of the main character, Troy Maxon and how the author formed the character from his own step father. The site also revelas that baseball plays an important role in the book as well. || Source #1 || August Wilson biography || text || biography of his life from birth to death. The article includes his background and how he grew up. It talks about his experience dropping out of school and writing poetry. The text goes into other plays that are not so well recognized by him. This reveals the many other plays written by Wilson. || Source #1 || 1950-1959 World History || Text/pictures || a timeline of important events ranging in dates from 1950-1959. A lot fills up the page in those 9 years and important things in history. A large amount deals with racism and conflicts between nations. || Source #1 || African-American Civil Rights Movement (1896–1954) || wikipedia -Text || this Wikipedia article goes into the ban African Americans in baseball leagues. The rest shows a progression of racism not being taken as serious as it used to be. It also talks about the black churches that sprang up during this movement. || Source #1 || Negro League History 101 || Text || the article takes you through the very beginings of the negro leagues until the race barrier is broken. Before the negro leagues existed Jackie Robinson was the first to play in major league baseball. This explains how he began the change in Americas favorite passed time to allow the sport to be more open towards African Americans. || Source #1 || African-American literature || wikipedia - text || A time period where African american literature began popular up until today. Talks about Fredrick Douglas and the slave movement as well as after the slavery era. African american themes included stories from slaves. || this goes all the way into the 20 and 21st century of black women who havwe been involved in art and literature. They have left a significant impact on Americas art and literature. || Source #1 || Harlem Renaissance Poetry || Text || talks about the history starting in the early 1990s. This time is where African American works begin to have a significant effect on US history. Large amounts of blacks began living in the same area in NY City where many new poets and playwriters were born. The article goes into the process it took until the poetry went mainstream. || Source #1 || History of the blues || text || History of the blues from the begining in the early 1900s ||
 * **Topic** || **Title of Website with Link** || **Type of Media**
 * **Commentary on the Play**
 * Source #2 || August wilson video interview || youtube || media type="youtube" key="loMoBHNGbrE" height="315" width="420" ||
 * **Biographical Information**
 * on August Wilson**
 * Source #2 || August Wilson || Text || This article goes straight into Wilson's adult years and gives little information on his childhood. it goes over the many awards he won. The site lists the plays in the order he made them. there are other related articles linking to more information on Wilson. ||
 * **General History of the**
 * Period 1950-1959**
 * Source #2 || 1950-1959 C.E. || Text || Timeline with brief descriptions of events that happened between 1950-1959. The descriptions are all under 1 sentence long. Not all of these events are important or significant to the book. this page lists more then the other one that i have. ||
 * **Information on the**
 * African-American**
 * Experience after**
 * World War II**
 * Source #2 || The Depression, The new deal, and World War II || Text || talks about the stock market crash and WWII african americans in the war. Goes into depth of life during the stock market crash. Talks about specific African american soldiers. Shows African Americans can be just as helpful as others and show equality. ||
 * **Information about the**
 * Negro Leagues**
 * Source #2 || History of the Negro Major leagues || Text || History of the negro leagues and a description of the formation of it starting in 1845. Takes you to the first negro leagues starting in Missouri. In 1993 a second negro leagues was formed and had its own world series. Fans grew towards the negro leagues. ||
 * **Literature by black Americans**
 * in the 1950s**
 * Source #2 || Black Women in Art and Literature || Text || talks about african americans in art and literature starting in the 1920s. This focuses on specificly black women during the slavery era and the black movement.
 * **Poetry of the**
 * Harlem Renaissance**
 * Source #2 || Poetry of the Harlem renaissance || Text || History and poets including the years they were famous ||
 * **The Blues (music)**
 * Source #2 || A short blues history || text || overview of popular african american blues artists ||