The August Wilson Fellowship
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Theatrical Production
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The Fellowship
History of The August Wilson Fellowship: When her Traveling While Black film and exhibition was at the August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh during the summer of 2024. Fellow Bonnie Nelson Schwartz had a revelation after speaking with the August Wilson House architect, Bob Pfaffman. Bonnie realized that the College of Fellows needed to establish a Fellowship in Wilson’s honor to support young BIPOC students and professionals in Theatre Design and Technology. After returning home to Washington, DC, and garnering the enthusiastic support of then Dean of the College Sandra Shannon, Greg Henry from KCACTF and Tiffani Gavin CEO of the O’Neil Center, Bonnie spent the next six months raising enough funds to establish the new Fellowship for 2025 and 2026.
The Work
How the Fellowship will work: The College of Fellows of the American Theatre, in partnership with the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) and the O'Neill Center, is proud to announce the inauguration of THE AUGUST WILSON FELLOWSHIP IN THEATRICAL PRODUCTION for Students of Color in Theatre Design and Technology. The fellowship was created to bolster emerging BIPOC theatre professionals by providing opportunities at the highest level of immersive training and practice in technical theatre, theatre production, and design in a professional workplace. Recipients will be provided with the opportunity for a residency at the O’Neill Center where they will be immersed in production opportunities with master artists in technical theatre, technology and design.
The Impact
The Impact of the Fellowship: The urgent need for programs that nurture the next generation of technical, production, and design BIPOC theatre professionals extends throughout the entire nation. In particular, the dearth of skilled, experienced BIPOC technical/production technicians and designers continues to be an issue of national concern.
The Future of the Fellowship: While the College has secured funding for the first two Fellowships, the College will continue to solicit donations to maintain this important Fellowship. If you have an interest in playing a financial role in this exciting new initiative, please contact the Dean David Grapes II at: fellowsoftheamericantheatre@gmail.com
The Support
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production for Students of Color in Design & Theatre Technology is a transformative opportunity for Students of Color pursuing excellence in Design and Theatre Technology. With your support, we can ensure that these students have the resources, mentorship, and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in an industry that benefits from diverse voices and perspectives. By donating today, you are not only honoring the legacy of one of America's most influential playwrights but also empowering the next generation of creators to bring their stories and talents to the stage.
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