How I Learned What I Learned
From one of America’s greatest playwrights comes “How I Learned What I Learned,” an autobiographical journey through August Wilson’s life.
Originally performed by the Bard of Pittsburgh himself, Seattle Rep calls the solo-performer play “a heartfelt theatrical memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity and what it means to be a Black artist in America.”
“How I Learned What I Learned” charts Wilson’s days as a young poet, his first few jobs, a stint in jail, and his encounters with racism, music, and love. It is a story of importance, not just for its message or timeless relevance, but also for its intricacies, its eloquence, and its charm.
The play also provides a glimpse of the prejudices and challenges that still exist and are still relevant today. For example, near the top of the show, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright crafts a summary about slavery.
“For the first 244 years we never had a problem finding a job. But since 1863, it’s been hell.”
Seattle Rep presents the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Production of August Wilson’s “How I Learned What I Learned,” Apr. 21–May 14, 2023.