The August Wilson Center

Pittsburgh's Cultural District welcomes a new and inspiring addition on Liberty Avenue. The August Wilson Center for African American Culture gives Pittsburgh and its visitors a unique venue for performances and events that honor existing luminaries and introduce new ones. This is the place for dance, from ballet to hip hop, and music, from American jazz to African drums. This is the place for theater and film that celebrate the contributions of African Americans from our region and around the world. This is the place for forums that will remember the past while shaping the future. All of these activities will take place in the new state-of-the art building, which features galleries, classrooms, a 486-seat theater, a gift shop, a café, and more. Join us as we welcome people from all walks of life and set the stage for a dynamic cultural exchange. Check out the event calendar for upcoming shows and exhibits.

Who was August Wilson?

August Wilson (1945-2005) grew from an impoverished boy in Pittsburgh's Hill District to a renowned playwright and literary giant who won a Tony Award and two Pulitzer Prizes. His work includes the "Pittsburgh Cycle," which uniquely comprises ten plays, one for each decade of the 20th Century. Nine of the plays, including Pulitzer Prize winners "The Piano Lesson" and "Fences," are set in Pittsburgh's Hill District, giving this neighborhood a mythic literary presence. Wilson founded the Black Horizon Theater and Kuntu Writers Workshop in Pittsburgh. Both remain active today.