August Wilson Monologues

August Wilson is one of the most influential playwrights in American history. His series of ten plays, The Pittsburgh Cycle, capture the varied experiences of Black Americans in 20th century. Each play is set in a different decade ranging from the years 1904 to 1997. Five of his plays have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and two of his plays, Fences and The Piano Lesson, won it. Nine of his plays have been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Wilson said the main themes of all of his plays are “love, honor, duty and betrayal.” Please enjoy this list of August Wilson monologues we have compiled for you!

Looking for more? Search all 355 monologues in our database by age, gender, tone and length.

We hope this list of August Wilson monologues helps you with some material for acting class or even some material to work on in private.

Wilson said his writing was most influenced by “the four Bs”: the playwright Amiri Baraka (author of Dutchman), the Argentine poet Jorge Luis Borges, the painter Romare Beardem and blues music. In trying to emulate Bearden, Wilson said: “I try to make my plays the equal of his canvases. In creating plays I often use the image of a stewing pot in which I toss various things that I’m going to make use of—a black cat, a garden, a bicycle, a man with a scar on his face, a pregnant woman, a man with a gun.” In writing The Pitsburgh Cycle, Wilson sought to feature strong female characters, elements of the supernatural and highlight the poetry in the everyday life of Black America. His legacy remains in productions of his work, film adaptations (a particular focus of Denzel Washington’s) and in the National August Wilson Monologue Competition, “inspiring high school students to find and express themselves through theatre.”

Aryana Williams: First Placed Winner of The August Wilson Monologue Competition

VideoAugust Wilson Monologues

August Wilson Monologues FAQs

1. What is the August Wilson Monologue Competition?

The August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) is an annual event where high school students from across the country perform monologues from August Wilson’s American Century Cycle of plays. The competition aims to introduce young people to Wilson’s work and to provide a platform for them to develop their acting skills

2. What is the significance of August Wilson’s monologues in American theater?

August Wilson’s monologues hold a singular place in American theater due to their rich characters, vivid language, and unflinching portrayal of the African American experience. Wilson’s work has been celebrated for its ability to capture the nuances and complexities of black life in America, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary playwrights.

3. Which monologue is featured in the Netflix film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”?

The Netflix film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” features a monologue from the play of the same name, which is part of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle. The monologue is performed by the character Levee, played by Chadwick Boseman in his final role

4. Where can I find a performance of August Wilson’s monologues?

You can find performances of August Wilson monologues in theaters across the country, as well as on film and television. PBS’s American Masters series has produced a dramatic reading of a monologue from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” performed by Ebony Jo-Ann.