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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Test Your Knowledge of August Wilson's Life and Works

Ready to ace our August Wilson trivia? Take the American playwright quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of August Wilson quiz with stylized portrait text and theatre symbols on golden yellow background.

Ready to see if you can master the Frederick August Kittel Sr Quiz? Dive into this free August Wilson quiz and tackle engaging August Wilson trivia to see how well you recognize his Pulitzer-winning plays, iconic themes, and lasting legacy. Designed for theater buffs and American playwright quizzes enthusiasts, you'll discover fun facts about his journey from birth name frederick august kittel sr to legendary dramatist. Need a warm-up? Brush up on memorable fences quotes , then fuel your curiosity with an engaging August trivia quiz before you begin. Click now to challenge yourself and celebrate a true American playwright legend!

What was the birth name of playwright August Wilson?
Wilson Frederick Kittel Jr
Frederick August Kittel Sr
August Wilson
Frederick Kittel Wilson Sr
August Wilson was born Frederick August Kittel Sr in Pittsburgh in 1945 and later changed his name to honor his German and African American heritage. He adopted his middle name and dropped his family surname for his professional career. This birth name is noted in biographies and official histories of his life and work. Wikipedia
In which U.S. state was August Wilson born?
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Ohio
New York
August Wilson was born in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1945. He spent much of his childhood and early life in that neighborhood, which inspired many of his plays. His work often reflects the social and cultural history of African American communities in Pennsylvania. Wikipedia
Which cycle of ten plays is August Wilson best known for?
American Century Cycle
Century Cycle
Urban Drama Series
Pittsburgh Cycle
August Wilsons ten-play series that chronicles African American life across each decade of the 20th century is commonly called the Pittsburgh Cycle, although he also referred to it as the American Century Cycle. All ten plays are set in different decades, with many taking place in Pittsburghs Hill District. This series cemented his reputation as a defining voice in American drama. Wikipedia
How many Pulitzer Prizes for Drama did August Wilson win during his career?
Two
Four
One
Three
August Wilson won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama: one for Fences in 1987 and another for The Piano Lesson in 1990. Both plays are part of his Pittsburgh Cycle and are widely regarded as masterpieces of American theater. His dual Pulitzer victories underscore his influence and achievement in dramaturgy. Wikipedia
Which of August Wilsons plays won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama first?
Ma Raineys Black Bottom
Fences
The Piano Lesson
Joe Turners Come and Gone
Fences won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987, making it Wilsons first Pulitzer-winning play. It explores the life of Troy Maxson, a former Negro league baseball player working as a garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh. The play has been widely produced and was adapted into an Academy Awardnominated film. Wikipedia
In which decade is The Piano Lesson set?
1930s
1950s
1900s
1920s
The Piano Lesson takes place in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The conflict centers on a family debate over whether to keep or sell an heirloom piano carved with ancestral symbols. This setting deepens themes of history, memory, and the legacy of slavery in African American families. Wikipedia
Who is the ambitious young trumpet player in Ma Raineys Black Bottom?
Cutler
Toledo
Sturdyvant
Levee
Levee is the ambitious young trumpet player in Ma Raineys Black Bottom. He clashes with both the bands leader and manager over artistic control and recognition. His characters aspirations and frustrations highlight themes of exploitation and racial tensions in the 1920s music industry. Wikipedia
Which play by August Wilson features the character Aunt Ester?
Radio Golf
Fences
Joe Turners Come and Gone
Gem of the Ocean
Aunt Ester is the central mystical figure in Gem of the Ocean, set in 1904. She serves as a spiritual guide who helps characters confront their pasts and embrace their identities. The play is the first in the Pittsburgh Cycle chronology and introduces Wilsons recurring themes of memory and resilience. Wikipedia
In which play does the character Troy Maxson appear?
Fences
King Hedley II
Seven Guitars
Two Trains Running
Troy Maxson is the protagonist of Fences, where he struggles with his responsibilities as a father, husband, and worker. His complex character embodies themes of race, betrayal, and generational conflict in 1950s America. Fences remains one of Wilsons most performed and studied plays. Wikipedia
Which thematic element is central to August Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle?
African American experience across each decade
European immigrants struggles
Science fiction dystopia
Medieval fantasy
The Pittsburgh Cycle charts the African American experience through ten decades of the 20th century, focusing on family, community, and social change. Each play captures a distinct era, from the 1900s to the 1990s, highlighting evolving challenges and achievements. This thematic continuity is the hallmark of Wilsons achievement. Wikipedia
What historical movement provides the backdrop for Joe Turners Come and Gone?
The Great Migration
The Civil Rights Movement
The Harlem Renaissance
The Industrial Revolution
Joe Turners Come and Gone is set in 1911, during the Great Migration when African Americans moved north in search of better opportunities. The play explores themes of displacement, identity, and community in a Pittsburgh boardinghouse. It reflects the broader social and cultural shifts of that era. Wikipedia
Which play was the last written by August Wilson in his Pittsburgh Cycle?
Jitney
Radio Golf
Two Trains Running
King Hedley II
Radio Golf, completed in 2005, was the final play that August Wilson wrote for his Pittsburgh Cycle before his death in 2005. It explores themes of gentrification, legacy, and political ambition in the Hill District. Radio Golf brings Wilsons century-long narrative full circle, concluding his landmark series. Wikipedia
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Frederick August Kittel Sr. -

    Grasp the key milestones of the American playwright's life, from his birth name to his career achievements.

  2. Identify Pulitzer-Winning Plays -

    Recognize all ten plays in August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle and recall which works earned him Pulitzer Prizes.

  3. Recall Iconic Characters -

    Name and describe memorable figures from Wilson's plays to enhance your August Wilson trivia skills.

  4. Analyze Recurring Themes -

    Evaluate central ideas such as racial identity, community, and resilience across his plays to deepen your appreciation.

  5. Demonstrate Quiz Mastery -

    Apply your knowledge to achieve a high score on the Frederick August Kittel Sr quiz and measure your mastery.

  6. Appreciate Wilson's Legacy -

    Reflect on the cultural impact of this American author and playwright through engaging American playwright quizzes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. From Frederick August Kittel Sr to August Wilson -

    Born Frederick August Kittel Sr in 1945, the playwright adopted "Wilson" to honor his mother's family; this name shift is key for any August Wilson trivia enthusiast. Remember: Kittel→Wilson is like unlocking his signature identity - think "KW" for "Key Works." University of Pittsburgh archives confirm this change, making it a must-know for your American playwright quizzes.

  2. The Ten-Play Pittsburgh Cycle -

    Wilson's magnum opus spans ten plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th-century African-American experience in Pittsburgh. A simple mnemonic - "Fences, Piano, Joe's Garage, and Eight More Pages" - can help you list them all in order. This structure is taught in drama courses at Yale and Carnegie Mellon, so mastering it boosts your August Wilson quiz score.

  3. Pulitzer Prize Winners: Fences & The Piano Lesson -

    Two of Wilson's plays won Pulitzers: Fences (1987) and The Piano Lesson (1990). Think of the formula "F + P² = 2" (Fences + Piano Lesson squared in impact) to recall this. The Pulitzer archives provide detailed synopses and critical commentary for deeper study.

  4. Recurring Themes: Identity, Race, Family -

    Wilson's writing consistently explores African-American identity, systemic racism, and familial bonds, themes highlighted in journal articles from the American Drama Studies Association. A handy trick is the acronym "IRF" (Identity, Race, Family) to frame your answers on any August Wilson trivia question. Embrace these themes to deepen your understanding of his legacy.

  5. Memorable Characters & Vernacular -

    Characters like Troy Maxson (Fences) and Boy Willie (The Piano Lesson) speak in Wilson's distinctive vernacular, capturing authentic Pittsburgh dialects studied by the Library of Congress. To recall their personalities, pair each name with a defining trait - Troy=Resilient, Boy Willie=Ambitious. This pairing method ensures you recognize August Wilson's characters on any quiz.

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