2011-12 AWC Season Brochure

At

The CenterAllof it

2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n

11/12a u g u s t 2 0 1 1

through Sept. 12

From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden

through oct. 31

Romare Bearden: The Last Years, Photography by Frank Stewart

18 – 20 (Thurs.–sat. 8 pm)August in August

25 (Thurs. 7 pm)DUETS: Exploration in Rhythm

s e p t e m b e r

through Sept. 12

From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden

through oct. 31


12 (Mon. 7 pm)Reading Round Table

17 (sat.)SWING! Mary Lou Williams’ Musical Adventures in the Land of Oo Bla Dee (11 am and 1 pm)

Our Father, Who Art Blakey (8 pm)

30 (Fri. 8 pm)Last of the Line

o c t o b e r

through oct. 31


01 – 02, 07 – 09 (sat.–sun., Fri. – sun. 8 pm)Last of the Line


15 (Fri. 8 pm) Heidi Latsky Dance GIMP

20 (Thurs. 7 pm) So You Think They Can’t Dance?

n o v e m b e r

18 (Through Mar. 17)August Wilson Center Juried Invitational

04 – 06 (Fri.–sun. 3 pm and 8 pm)Black Dance Festival


12 (sat. 11 am and 1 pm)TRAINS RUNNING! August Wilson’s Century Cycle

d e c e m b e r

through Mar. 17

August Wilson Center Juried Invitational


24 (sat. 6 pm)Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Performance

j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2

through Mar. 17



21 (sat. 8 pm)Suite Bill

26 (Thurs. 7 pm)DUETS: Generations of Jazz

f e b r u a r y

through Mar. 17



18 (sat. 8 pm)Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

24 –25 (Fri.–sat. 8 pm)Between a Ballad and a Blues

m a r c h

through Mar. 17


through June 2012

Strength in the Struggle: Civil Rights


09 – 10 (Fri.–sat. 8 pm)Dynamic Women of Dance

10 (sat. 11 am and 1 pm)MOVE! The Power of Black Dance

22 (Thurs. 7 pm)DUETS: Jazz and Poetry

23 – 25, 30 – 31 (Fri.–sun., Fri.–sat. 7 pm)Every Tongue Confess

a p r i l

through June 2012


01 (sun. 7 pm)Every Tongue Confess


21 (sat.)TELL IT! The Color of American Music (11 am and 1 pm)

Spring Concert featuring NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson (8 pm)

m a y

through June 2012



18 – 26 (Fri.–sat.)FIRST VOICE: A Pittsburgh International Black Arts Festival

19 (sat. 11 am and 1 pm)DREAM! The Triumph of Lorraine Hansberry

j u n e

through June 2012


01 – 03, 08 – 10

(Fri.–sun. 8 pm)Gem of the Ocean


14 (Thurs. 7 pm)DUETS: Gospel

Music Dance Theatre Visual Arts Festivals & Special Events

Family Series

2011– 2012 season at a glance

11/12engages regional and national audiences

in its mission of preserving, presenting,

interpreting, celebrating and shaping

the art, culture and history of African

Americans utilizing the rich history, legacy

and culture of African Americans from

Western Pennsylvania as a foundation.

The Center presents a year-round

program of music, dance, theatre, visual

arts and exhibitions along with cultivation

activities for all ages and backgrounds

in its state-of-the-art venue in the heart

of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and

throughout the region.

music / 2

dance / 4

th eatre / 6

visual arts / 9

festivals & special events / 10

fa mi ly seri es / 1 1

2

Our Father, Who Art Blakey saturday, september 17, 2011

8 pm

$40 / $35 / $20

The 2011–2012 season kicks off with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra in a celebration of the life and legacy of Art Blakey, the Pittsburgh native who blazed a trail for jazz hopefuls, and created his own style of drumming that became famous around the globe. Featuring special guest master drummers Roger Humphries, James Johnson, Cecile Brooks III and Tom Wendt, this event will celebrate Blakey’s contribution to jazz and the unique lineage of jazz drumming that emerged from the Pittsburgh region.

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday PerformanceSaturday, deceMber 24, 2011

6 pM

$40 / $35 / $20

old favorites receive a jazz makeover, as the skilled musicians of the PJo render a new treatment on holiday classics, and turn the holiday season into a unique celebration of wonder, bliss and merriment the whole family will enjoy.

Pittsburgh vs. PhiladelphiaSaturday, February 18, 2012

8 pM

$40 / $35 / $20

never done before on The Center’s stage, this lively Pittsburgh Jazz orchestra performance pits the best of the region’s jazz drumming against its Philadelphia counterpart in a friendly but spirited rivalry.

m u s i c , 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n / S e A n J O n e S , A r T i S T i C D i r e C T O r

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Spring Concert featuring NEA Jazz Master Benny GolsonSaturday, april 21, 2012

8 pM

$50 / $40 / $25

saxophonist and nea Jazz Master Benny Golson debuts a new composition with the Pittsburgh Jazz orchestra that will set The Center

ablaze with innovative sound and technique. a veteran of the bands of art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and countless others, Golson

has also composed and arranged music for Count Basie, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, ella Fitzgerald and Diana Ross. The Center is

pleased to welcome this living legend back to PIttsburgh.

b e n n y g o l s o n © Oliver Rossberg

The pittsburgh jazz orchestra, resident big band of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, celebrates Pittsburgh’s rich jazz history in the here and now by uniting local jazz musicians to perform the broad scope of jazz styles in an orchestral format. Photo taken at the Carnegie Music Hall in the Oakland

neighborhood of Pittsburgh. © Martha Rial

4

danceBlack Dance FestivalFriday – Sunday, noveMber 4–6, 2011

part i: 8pm Friday / 3pm Saturday

part ii: 8pm Saturday / 3pm Sunday

$25

The acclaimed ailey II, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Rennie Harris Puremovement and Deeply Rooted are joined by The Center’s own august Wilson Center Dance ensemble for a festival of inspired movement. Be mesmerized and revived as these dynamic companies merge in an expression of style, choreography and celebration of the past, present and future of african american dance.

Suite Bill Saturday, January 21, 2011

8pM

$30 / $25 / $20

In the 1970s and 80s, few stirred emotions of love, yearning and heartbreak like the great R&B soul singer William Harrison “Bill” Withers. For one night only, Bill’s honesty, sensitivity and genuine folksy style come alive in a captivating night of dance and reverie, as the august Wilson Center Dance ensemble moves and grooves to “Lovely Day,” “Lean on Me,” “Grandma’s Hands,” “ain’t no sunshine” and other classics. Kick back and relax, as music and dance share the The Center’s main stage, and the dancers, coupled with Bill’s “sweet suite,” take us on an emotional, stirring journey.

d a n c e , 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n / G r e e r r e e D - J O n e S , A r T i S T i C D i r e C T O r

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danceDynamic Women of DanceFriday + Saturday, March 9 + 10, 2012

8pM

$30 / $25 / $20

The August Wilson Center Dance ensemble partners with choreographers Sidra Bell, Camille Brown, Keisha Lalama-White and Gia Cacalano to bring some of today’s most exciting and cutting edge movement to The Center’s stage in celebration of women. Be inspired, as the rich vision of these dynamic choreographers meets the bold creativity of the Dance ensemble.

d y n a m i c w o m e n o f d a n c e© Cassie Kay Rusnak

The august wilson center dance ensemble is the resident multicultural dance company at the August Wilson Center joined together in a professional, educational environment while focusing on keeping black dance traditions in the forefront of the region’s dance community. Photo taken at the West End Overlook, in the Elliot

neighborhood of Pittsburgh. © Martha Rial

6

August Wilson Center Reading Round Table 1St Monday oF each Month*

SepteMber–June

7 pM

FrEE

This reading series will feature the plays of Pulitzer Prize-winning and Pittsburgh native august Wilson, along with works by up and coming playwrights.

*September Round Table moved to 9/12 due to the Labor Day holiday

August in AugustCo-produced with the pittsburgh

Cultural trust

auguSt 18–20, 2011

8 pM

$50 / $30 / $25 / $20 Special open i ng n ight

ticKet: $50 (includes show, post reception and cast meet & greet)

In a single evening grasp the fullness of august

Wilson’s complete 10-play “Century Cycle”—the epic

dramatization of the african american experience and

t h e a t r e , 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n / M A r K C L A y T O n S O u T h e r S , A r T i S T i C D i r e C T O r

a u g u s t w i l s o n

7

heritage in the twentieth century, set in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. anthony Chisholm, David Conrad, antonio Fargas, andrea Frye, stephen M. Henderson, sala Udin, winners of the august Wilson Monologue Contest and the august Wilson Center Theatre ensemble explore the Hill District native’s lifework through a variety of scenes and monologues.

Last of the Lineworld preMiere

By Samm-art Williams directed by mark Clayton Southers

SepteMber 30, october 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2011

8 pM

$30 / $25 / $20

Tony award-nominated playwright and actor samm-art Williams’ Last of the Line bursts with drama and comedy, suspense and candor, laughter and regret, as the descendants of african american slaveholders and their ancestors take center stage. Told in a stream of consciousness tenor, the play flashes back from 2005 to the years 1845 –1875 in a story that tests loyalties and histories, and forces the modern day characters to examine their own identities in relation to power, resources and “blood money.”

The august wilson center theatre ensemble, the resident theatre company at the August Wilson Center, is a preeminent Pittsburgh-based ensemble comprised of professional actors with teaching artist experience. Ensemble members, along with other local and national actors, perform a three-play season and teach in various organizations and scholastic settings. Photo taken in back

of August Wilson’s childhood home on Bedford Avenue, in the Hill District neighborhood of

Pittsburgh. © Martha Rial

8

t h e a t r e , 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n

Between a Ballad and a Blues By Linda parris-Bailey Co-produced with the Carpetbag theatre, inc.

February 24 + 25, 2012

8 pM

$30 / $25 / $20

Between a Ballad and a Blues, by playwright Linda Parris-Bailey, explores the life of african american string-band and country blues musician Howard “Louie Bluie” armstrong, and his experiences during the segregation era, as he performed internationally with fellow musicians Carl Martin and Ted Bogan. The play captures Howard’s multi-lingual and musical gifts, as well as his struggle for survival in a world that may have loved his talent, but not his skin. When asked by the playwright to recount his life in music, Howard reportedly said, “It’s somewhere between a ballad and a blues.” The august Wilson Center welcomes the Carpetbag Theatre’s production of this triumphant play.

Every Tongue ConfesspittSburgh preMiere

By marcus Gardley directed by tre Garrett

March 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, april 1, 2012

$30 / $25 / $20

a series of church burnings in 1990s rural alabama lead the townspeople to question their lives, identities, and journeys, both collectively and individually. soul-shaking blues howls from beneath the soul-stirring gospels, and amidst the fiery sermon, lies the hope for redemption. Written by award-winning playwright Marcus Gardley, Every Tongue Confess blends the secular with the spiritual, and Bible stories with the everyday occurrences of newsworthy events.

Gem of the OceanBy august Wilson directed by mark Clayton Southers Co-produced with pittsburgh playwright’s theatre Company

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 2012

$30 / $25 / $20

Gem of the Ocean features the potent power of “aunt ester,” Wilson’s gatekeeper to spiritual matters, and the hearts of the Hill residents she loves. When aunt ester opens her home to the troubled Citizen Bartlow, a recent migrant from the rural south, a battle

ensues not only within Citizen, who begs aunt ester to “wash his soul,” but also

between Citizen and Caesar Wilkes, a stern man of the law, threatened by Citizen’s independence and defiance of his authority. Bound by nothing but

freedom, Citizen must choose a past steeped in fear, or a future made glorious with destiny and purpose. The august Wilson Center Theatre ensemble joins

the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre Company for this production.

K i n g H e d l e y i i , 2 0 1 0 – 2 0 1 1 s e a s o n© Aaron McClendon

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v i s u a l a r t s , 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n / C e C i L e S h e L L M A n , A r T i S T i C D i r e C T O r

visual artsFrom Process to

Print: Graphic Works by Romare Beardenthrough SepteMber 12, 2011

tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–6 pm

organized by the Romare Bearden Foundation, From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden encompasses a carefully selected body of original prints, including seventy-five lithographs, etchings, collagraphs, collagraph plates, screen prints, drypoints, monoprints and engravings created over a 30-year span of Bearden’s multi-faceted career. The retrospective moves beyond collage and photomontage, of which Bearden was a master, to reveal Bearden’s process, as crucial to him as the very art he crafted. The august Wilson Center is proud to be one of six arts organizations to host this exciting exhibition this year.

From Process to Print is organized by The Romare Bearden Foundation and is part of a three year national tour through Landau Traveling Exhibitions.

Romare Bearden: The Last Years, Photography by Frank Stewartthrough october 31, 2011


This lively companion exhibit features the work of award-winning photographer, Frank stewart, who met Romare Bearden in 1975 while filming the documentary, “Two Centuries of Black american art.”

stewart spent the subsequent thirteen years shooting Bearden at exhibitions of his artwork, as the artist worked in his studio, and in candid moments of reflection and relaxation. stewart is the author of ROMARE BEARDEN: Photographs by Frank Stewart, and The Sweet Breath of Life: a Poetic Narrative of the African American Family, with ntozake shange.

August Wilson Center Juried Invitational noveMber 18, 2011–March 17, 2012


Comprising submissions from local artists selected by jury, The Center’s inaugural Invitational will be a broad-ranging survey of contemporary visual fine art — including Traditional, Realism, Modern, Visionary, Conceptual and Folk — from artists in Western Pennsylvania and affrilachia.

Strength in the Struggle: Civil Rights March–June, 2012

This self-contained, curated fine arts exhibition incorporates photography and other disciplines, with themes reflecting the struggle and nobility of local and regional “soldiers” in the fight for civil rights.

All listed exhibits take place in the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Gallery, 2nd floor.

r o m a r e b e a r d e n , “ t h e t r a i n ”© Romare Bearden Foundation

10

FIRST VOICE: A Pittsburgh International Black Arts FestivalMay 18–26, 2012

Free – $20

First Voice festival celebrates the creator and the creative process, giving voice to african american artists from both inside and outside the Pittsburgh region. The fourth annual festival is also the platform from which the third class of august Wilson Center Fellows present new works created during their year- long residencies. Representing a variety of artistic ventures in an array of disciplines, this eclectic and diverse class of august Wilson Center Fellows showcases original work all week long. The festival will also include an inaugural new Jazz Competition led by sean Jones.

Sean Jones Presents … DuetsSelect thurSdayS

7pM

$25

This new series pairs distinct artists in a unique display of talent and collaboration in one of music’s purest forms, the duet. Join us in an informal, intimate setting. Price includes complimentary drink. Cash bar available and food for purchase.

exploration in Rhythm august 25, 2011

sean Jones (trumpet) & Roger Humphries (drums)

generations of Jazz JanuaRy 26, 2012

Benny Benack III (trumpet) & Joe negri (guitar)

Jazz and Poetry MaRch 22, 2012

sean Jones (trumpet) & Vanessa German (spoken word)

gospel June 14, 2012

alton Merrell (piano) & Deborah Moncrief (vocals)

Heidi Latsky Dance GIMPoctober 15, 2011

8pM

Choreographer Heidi Latsky presents a roster of performers who embody unique physical virtuosity. outstanding technique, raw beauty and the physical poetry of risk-taking, propel the artists and the audience into the collective unknown. GIMP examines the uncompromising ways we are often identified or defined by our physicality; an elegant landscape of portraits, illuminating limbs to accentuate uncommon beauty, mystery and grace; the ways in which our bodies support and rebel. GIMP confronts the audience with their preconceptions, challenging us to re-think accepted notions about dance, performance and body image.

GIMP is presented in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Dance Council and the FISA Foundation.

So You Think They Can’t Dance?october 20, 2011

7pM

$25

Join us as the august Wilson Center stars take center stage with august Wilson Center Dance ensemble company members!

a l v i n a i l e y

f e s t i v a l s & s p e c i a l e v e n t s

s e a n j o n e s© Martha Rial

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Select SaturdayS

11aM + 1pM

$5

Fun, enlightening and interactive events hosted by our resident companies, designed for the entire family!

SWING! Mary Lou Williams’ Musical Adventures in the Land of Oo Bla DeeSepteMber 17, 2011

swing with us as we discover how Mary Lou Williams, “the little piano girl from east Liberty” became the “First Lady of Jazz” and a master of ragtime, stride, boogie-woogie, bebop and beyond.

TRAINS RUNNING! August Wilson’s Century CyclenoveMber 12, 2011

Join host Mark Clayton southers and the august Wilson Center Theatre ensemble for an interactive afternoon full of the stories of blues that people began 100 years ago and lead right up to you!

MOVE! The Power of Black Dance March 10, 2012

The august Wilson Center Dance ensemble invites us to discover giants of Black dance: Katherine Dunham, Carmen de Lavallade, alvin ailey and Ulysses Dove.

TELL IT! The Color of American Musicapril 21, 2012

In this interactive journey that takes us from jazz to rock to soul to hip hop, host sean Jones and the Pittsburgh Jazz orchestra explore how the magical, musical color blue makes american music sound, well, american.

DREAM! The Triumph of Lorraine HansberryMay 19, 2012

In her short career, the brilliant playwright of A Raisin in the Sun inspired us to care about race, politics, family, change and our dreams. Join the august Wilson Center Theatre ensemble as we joyously come together to care about it all.

m a r y l o u w i l l i a m s art © www.KeithHenryBrown.com

f a m i ly s e r i e s

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Affrilachia—The ContinuumThe Center is pleased to introduce the continuum, a series of programs tied to a specific theme. The 2011–2012 Continuum is aFFRIlachIa (af-ruh-LaY-shuh), a term describing african americans living in or from the appalachian region. Look for this symbol to identify Continuum programming with an affrilachian theme.

HoursTuesday through saturday 11 am to 6 pm

Admissionsecond Floor special exhibitions admission:

• adults $8• Teachers $6• seniors (62 and over) $4• students with valid ID $4• Children $3• Members free

Access For Persons With Disabilities

To reserve a courtesy wheelchair, call 412.338.8742.

at performances, assistive listening devices are available in our theater

and may be used with or without a hearing aid. To reserve a device, call 412.338.8742.

Getting HereThe august Wilson Center is located at the intersection of 10th street, Liberty avenue and William Penn Way in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

For real-time parking info about garages in the Cultural District:

• visit the app store (iPhone Users)• visit m.pghpark.org (other smart phones)• Text PaRKInG to 412.423.8980• Call 412.423.8980 • Visit ParkPGH.org

MembershipJoin us … and help tell our story!

Become a member of the august Wilson Center for african american Culture and enjoy these and other exciting benefits:

• Free admission to The Center’s special exhibitions

• Invitations to member only events• Discounts and free august Wilson Center

cultivation Programs*• complimentary tickets to select season

performances* • Discounts on group tickets* • listing in the performance program book*• Discounts on building space and full

building rentals*• Cast meet and greets*

*benefits vary depending on membership levels

Membership Levels:

baSic MeMberShipS

• Individual $25• Family $75

preMiuM MeMberShipS

• Patron $250• leader $500• President $1,000• august Wilson circle $2,500

corporate MeMberShipS

• $5,000• $10,000• $15,000For more information about memberships, call 412.338.8725 or email [email protected].

i n f o r m a t i o n

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Ticketsphone

412.456.6666 or 412.338.8742Groups of 10+: 412.471.6930

online

www.culturaldistrict.org

in perSon

august Wilson center Box office980 Liberty avenueTuesday−saturday, 11 am to 6 pmClosed sundays, Mondays and major holidaysopens 2 hours before performances

the Box office at theater square665 Penn avenueMonday−saturday, 9 am to 9 pmsunday, 12 to 6 pm

ticKet policy

Ticket exchange is subject to availability. If you are unable to make the performance, please consider donating your ticket. For details, call 412.338.8742 or email [email protected].

ConnectaugustWilsonCenter.org

facebook.com/augustWilsonCenter

Follow us @aWC_Pittsburgh

also, don’t forget to follow our Twitter list: twitter.com/aWC_Pittsburgh/augustWilsonCenter.

Text “aWC” to 77950 to receive updates via text message.

DonorsThe august Wilson Center extends grateful appreciation to the following contributors of major support for the 2011–12 season:

We Value Your Patronage! Try Us Out!

tickets to any show and receive

Whether you are thinking about seeing a show for the first time, or just haven’t been to The Center in a long time,

here’s your chance to sample our programming! For just $40 enjoy balcony seats for the following:

last of the line (oct. 1, 2011)

Pittsburgh Jazz orchestra: Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia (February, 18, 2012)

Dynamic Women of Dance (March 10, 2012)

(Mention the “Try Us Out” Sampler when ordering)

Buy 4

20% off your total purchase!

Balcony (lowest ticket prices)

Orchestra Rear

Orchestra Front (highest ticket prices)

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2011-12 AWC Season Brochure

Documents

Transcript of 2011-12 AWC Season Brochure