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S29E2: August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand | Clip

Behind the Scenes with James Earl Jones

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Film and stage actor James Earl Jones is interviewed by film director Sam Pollard in this behind-the-scenes footage from August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand. In 1987 Jones won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Fences, for which August Wilson won a Tony Award for Best Play and the first of two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama.

Jones characterizes Wilson’s work, saying, “Most of all his plays are about families and the migration from greater pain to lesser pain.”

Features

August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- The Essential Ingredients for an August Wilson Play CLIP: 0:35
The Essential Ingredients for an August Wilson Play
Ruben Santiago-Hudson shares the essential ingredients for any August Wilson play.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson's Timeless Work CLIP: 0:35
August Wilson's Timeless Work
Ruben Santiago-Hudson shares why Wilson's work is so timeless and universal.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson and African American Culture CLIP: 0:20
August Wilson and African American Culture
Ruben Santiago-Hudson describe August Wilson's work for the African American community
Phylicia Rashad Gem of the Ocean CLIP: 2:23
Phylicia Rashad Performs "Gem of the Ocean" Aunt Ester Scene
Rashad performs a scene from August Wilson's play "Gem of the Ocean," as Aunt Ester.
August Wilson
Classroom Resources: August Wilson
Educator resources from PBSLearningMedia
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- Costume Designs for August Wilson Plays CLIP: 3:15
Costume Designs for August Wilson Plays
Constanza Romero shares how she designed costumes for August Wilson's plays.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson on the Dialogue in His Plays CLIP: 1:38
August Wilson on the Dialogue in His Plays
August Wilson describes how dialogue comes to him and guides his character development.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- Filmmaker Sam Pollard on His August Wilson Documentary CLIP: 2:29
Filmmaker Sam Pollard on His August Wilson Documentary
Director Sam Pollard talks about Wilson's relevance, interviewing actors and more.
Music in August Wilson’s Work
Learn how Kathryn Bostic scored August Wilson's plays and the film August Wilson: The Ground...
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand, Panel Discussion CLIP: 33:31
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand, Panel Discussion
Director Sam Pollard moderates a panel at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson in Seattle CLIP: 1:57
August Wilson in Seattle
August Wilson moved to Seattle in 1990 and lived there for the rest of his life.
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand -- August Wilson's Youth CLIP: 1:24
August Wilson's Youth
August Wilson describes his love of language and the racism he experienced at school.
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August Wilson’s 10-play cycle: scenes and synopses
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August Wilson biography and timeline
Playwright August Wilson (1945 - 2005) rose from humble beginnings to become a celebrated Broadway...
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand PREVIEW: 2:41
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand
The first documentary about the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson.