2. Overview August Wilson and The Century Cycle August Wilson and The Century Cycle Historical Setting of Fences Historical Setting of Fences Fences in Production Fences in Production

3. Fences (1985) is one of 10 plays August Wilson wrote to chronicle ordinary African- American family life from 1900-2000. This group of plays is know as the Century Cycle, or Pittsburgh Cycle. Fences represents the middle of the cycle: the 1950s.

4. The Century Cycle In the Century Cycle, Wilson dramatizes African American experience and heritage in the twentieth century, with a play for each decade. In the Century Cycle, Wilson dramatizes African American experience and heritage in the twentieth century, with a play for each decade. Almost all of the 10 plays are set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, where he was born (in 1945) andgrew up. Almost all of the 10 plays are set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, where he was born (in 1945) and grew up.

5. The Century Cycle Wilson's extraordinary lifework- completed just before his death in October 2005. Wilson's extraordinary lifework- completed just before his death in October 2005. August Wilson's Century Cycle is "one of the most ambitious dramatic projects ever undertaken" (The New York Times). August Wilson's Century Cycle is "one of the most ambitious dramatic projects ever undertaken" (The New York Times). Widely acclaimed, Fences went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Widely acclaimed, Fences went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

6. Think: What might the “Century Cycle” reveal about the African American experience (or any group’s experience, for that matter) that 10 unrelated plays by the same playwright might not? What might the “Century Cycle” reveal about the African American experience (or any group’s experience, for that matter) that 10 unrelated plays by the same playwright might not?

7. Fences Fences presents a slice-of-life in a black tenement in (Pittsburgh?) set in the late 1950s through 1965. The main character, Troy Maxson, is a garbage collector who has taken great pride in keeping his family together and providing for them. Troy's rebellion and frustration set the tone for the play as he struggles for fairness in a society which seems to offer none.

8. Fences (cont.) The father and son relationship between Troy and Cory is explored as a central part of the drama. Their relationship becomes complicated by strong feelings of pride and independence on both sides. The father and son relationship between Troy and Cory is explored as a central part of the drama. Their relationship becomes complicated by strong feelings of pride and independence on both sides. Fences is both unique to the plight of African Americans and universal in its depiction of the human condition. The father-son and husband-wife relationships cross both unique and universal boundaries. Fences is both unique to the plight of African Americans and universal in its depiction of the human condition. The father-son and husband-wife relationships cross both unique and universal boundaries.

9. Fences Introductory Commentary “August Wilson…has taken the responsibility of telling the tale of the encounter of the released black slaves with a vigorous and ruthless growing America decade by decade. Fences encompasses the 1950s and a black family trying to put down roots in the slag slippery hills of a middle American urban industrial city…” “August Wilson…has taken the responsibility of telling the tale of the encounter of the released black slaves with a vigorous and ruthless growing America decade by decade. Fences encompasses the 1950s and a black family trying to put down roots in the slag slippery hills of a middle American urban industrial city…”

10. Think: What do you think is meant by the “vigorous and ruthless growing America”? What do you think is meant by the “vigorous and ruthless growing America”? What growing opportunities exist for African Americans in the 1950s? What growing opportunities exist for African Americans in the 1950s? What ruthlessness might be encountered along with this growth? What ruthlessness might be encountered along with this growth?

11. As you read Fences, question: What light does the play shed on the idea of the American Dream? What light does the play shed on the idea of the American Dream? How is the pursuit of the American Dream unique for African Americans? How is the pursuit of the American Dream unique for African Americans? What major themes come up in the play? What major themes come up in the play? What are some symbols and what do they represent? What are some symbols and what do they represent?

12. Historical Background for Fences

13. The first black professional baseball team was the Cuban Giants in 1885, but the teams played as independent ball clubs until the first black league was organized in 1920. That year Rube Foster, the father of black baseball, founded the Negro National League. During their existence, the Negro Leagues played eleven World Series (1924-27, 1942-48) and created their own All-Star game (1933-48) that became the biggest black sports attraction in the country.

14. The End of an Era Jackie Robinson was signed in 1945 to the Montreal Royals. He was the first African American to sign to a major league baseball team. After Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, the Negro Leagues began to lose their talent to the major leagues. With the talent, the fan base departed. The last Negro League shut down operations in 1962. Jackie Robinson was signed in 1945 to the Montreal Royals. He was the first African American to sign to a major league baseball team. After Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, the Negro Leagues began to lose their talent to the major leagues. With the talent, the fan base departed. The last Negro League shut down operations in 1962.

15. Josh Gibson Cool Papa Bell Satchel Paige Jackie Robinson

16. Civil Rights and Segregation…the beginnings of change Jim Crow Laws enacted from 1876-1965 Jim Crow Laws enacted from 1876-1965 “Separate but Equal” beginning to fade…public school integration “Separate but Equal” beginning to fade…public school integration Migration to the north for job in industry Migration to the north for job in industry Heavy racism and racial fear; Lack of opportunity for AA’s, slowly changing. Heavy racism and racial fear; Lack of opportunity for AA’s, slowly changing.

17. Jim Crow

19. Fences in Production

23. August Wilson and his Influences

24. August Wilson’s influences include Jazz, the Blues, and the tales of older folks in his community August Wilson’s influences include Jazz, the Blues, and the tales of older folks in his community In 1969 Wilson co-founded Black Horizons Theater In 1969 Wilson co-founded Black Horizons Theater Influenced by Amiri Baraka, Malcolm X and the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s Influenced by Amiri Baraka, Malcolm X and the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s First a poet, Wilson tried his pen as a playwright in the mid-1970s First a poet, Wilson tried his pen as a playwright in the mid-1970s His first successful play was Jitney, followed by Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 1981. His first successful play was Jitney, followed by Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 1981. Fences opened in New York in 1987 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama Fences opened in New York in 1987 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama

25. Fences won a Tony award, a Pulitzer prize, and a Drama Circle Award. Fences won a Tony award, a Pulitzer prize, and a Drama Circle Award. August Wilson has been called "the foremost dramatist of the American black experience" and "the most acclaimed playwright of his time” August Wilson has been called "the foremost dramatist of the American black experience" and "the most acclaimed playwright of his time” August Wilson’s Later Life

26. Wilson’s Later Life Cont’d Wilson moved to Seattle in 1990 and developed a close working relationship with the Seattle Repertory Theater. Wilson died in 2005 at Swedish Hospital from liver cancer. In October 2005, the Virginia Theater in New York was renamed the August Wilson Theater. It is the first Broadway Theater to be named after an African American.