Lexington hosts powerful weekend celebrating American playwright August Wilson

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2025) — The University of Kentucky has partnered with local organizations to present a powerful two-day celebration of Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright August Wilson culminating with a presentation of his deeply personal solo piece, “How I Learned What I Learned.”

Events take place in downtown Lexington Sept. 12-13.

The collaborating partners include the UK Department of Theatre and Dance, the College of Arts and Sciences, EMON Event Co., LexArts and the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center.

The two-day experience honors Wilson’s legacy as a truth-teller, cultural historian and literary giant. Regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century, Wilson’s work continues to shape American theater.

The centerpiece of the two-day celebration is UK Theatre and Dance faculty member Jeremy Gillett’s performance in “How I Learned What I Learned,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center.

Originally performed by August Wilson himself, “How I Learned What I Learned” is 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.

“To not know and understand August Wilson’s work makes a person more prone to repeat the historical mistakes of our blended human history,” said Gillett, an assistant professor in the College of Fine Arts, and frequent director of UK Theatre and Dance productions.

The production was co-conceived by Todd Kreidler and directed by Terrence Tucker, Ph.D., a UK graduate and University of Memphis English Department chair.

Audience members are invited to walk the red carpet at the theater beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Gillett will also perform the work for hundreds of Kentucky high school students during two matinee performances.

Two other events on Friday, Sept. 12, complete the trio of gatherings planned to engage with the impact of Wilson’s voice and vision and commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death in 2005.

At 5:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, former Kentucky Poet Laureate and UK professor Frank X Walker will moderate a panel discussion exploring Wilson’s enduring impact on American theater. Panelists include nationally recognized scholars Sandra Shannon, Ph.D., Howard University professor emerita and president emerita and founder of the August Wilson Society; and UK professors Herman Daniel Farrell III, University Research Professor; and Alan Nadel, Ph.D., William T. Bryan Professor.

Echoes on the Hill, an intergenerational celebration, will be 7:30 at Harper Hall. Lexington dance band Honey Child and the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble will perform at the gathering, which will provide an opportunity for reflection, conversation and community.

Event coordinator Asona McMullen, founder of EMON Event Co., anticipates a joyful gathering of community members who share a love of American theatre and historical storytelling.

“This celebration is not just a performance, it’s a cultural tribute,” McMullen said. “August Wilson gave voice to our stories, and this weekend is about lifting them even higher.”

Tickets for “How I Learned What I Learned” are $30 at historiclyrictheatre.com.

This performance is presented by the University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center. LexArts has provided funding support through its community development program. “How I Learned What I Learned” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. | concordtheatricals.com.

For more information about all the weekend events visit theaugustwilsonexperience.com.