An August Occasion: National Conference on the Life and Legacy of August Wilson

deadline for submissions: 
August 8, 2016
full name / name of organization: 
Dr. Sandra G. Shannon/ August Wilson Society of Howard University
contact email: 

The onset of autumn is a solemn reminder that the world lost August Wilson in October 2005.  It is also the harvest season--a time for taking stock of his life's work and for promoting new ways of analyzing, teaching, discussing, researching, and, ultimately, safeguarding the rich legacy that he bequeathed to us.

This much-anticipated AUGUST OCCASION and celebration, which also marks the August Wilson Society's 10th Anniversary, will feature an array of panels, roundtables, workshops, creative works, and performance pieces that test new theories and that introduce novel approaches to Wilson's art, his activism, and yet-undiscovered meaning in his ten-play American Century Cycle.

Since our initial June 30 deadline for abstracts, we have been approached by so many who missed this deadline but who are still very interested in participating in this national conference.  For this reason, we are happy to extend the due date for receiving additional abstracts to Monday, August 8, 2016.  We hope that you will take advantage of this new window of opportunity to submit your exciting abstract idea and plan to join us.  Again, we welcome presentations that offer interdisciplinary approaches to Wilson's oeuvre, that situate his work within today's classroom, and that contextualize his American Century Cycle within the current historical moment.  International perspectives on his work are equally welcome.  Academics, graduate students, theatre practitioners, secondary and arts educators, and independent scholars are invited to present at this conference.  For directions on submitting abstracts and for further details, click on the following link: http://library.howard.edu/augustwilsonsociety  You may also email abstracts directly to sshannon@howard.edu