The University Library System will host two events this month highlighting the August Wilson archive as inspiration as other art forms.

On April 23, join the library in “Celebrating August Wilson Through Hip Hop.” This project was developed by August Wilson Archive Community Artist Scholar Brian Starks in collaboration with Sheila Beasley. It was influenced by Starks’ research within the August Wilson Archive.

The event will feature a talk and video presentation that explores dance through the lens of Wilson and draws inspiration from monologues and play titles from Wilson’s American Century Cycle.  The in-person event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 23 in Hillman Library’s Archives & Special Collections Instruction Room on the third floor.

On Aug. 25, another August Wilson Archive Community Artist Scholar award winner, Malik Washington, will present a listening party of sound works based on August Wilson's play “Gem of the Ocean,” set in Pittsburgh circa 1904. 

“City of Bones / Gem of the Confluence” is a mixtape and installation that explores Wilson's artistic life and theatre through the rich history of Black music in Pittsburgh, collaging archival audio and play dialogue with the sounds of artists such as Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal, Romare Bearden and more. 

This event, which also will feature a discussion about Washington’s work and research, is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. It will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 25 in the Hillman’s Archives & Special Collections Instruction Room.