AUGUST WILSON HOUSE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION Ribbon Cutting, Dinner, Dancing and Powerful Community Connections.
Located at 1727 Bedford Avenue, Lower Hill in Pittsburgh, PA.
Both Friday and Saturday at the AUGUST WILSON HOUSE offered gatherings of Grace, Love, Joy, Redemption and Infinite Possibility. This Is the Best Way to Describe a Weekend of Monumental Impact for Generations to Come!
On hand for this magnificent two day and nights were multitudes of people I admired, and have been inspired by their commitment and creativity.
Congratulations to a marvelous team of people who have worked together to realize a dream spearheaded by Paul Ellis, Esq, nephew of #AugustWilson, Dr. Kim Ellis, (his sister) Costanza Romero (beloved wife of AugustWilson), other wonderful Wilson family members who spoke!
There were luminary supporters including #DenzelWashington and his beautiful wife, Paulette. Denzel prolific remarks named significant contributions from Antoine Fuqua, Shonda Rhimes, Sam Jackson Tyler Perry, Oprah, Spike Lee and several others.
There were also inspiring remarks from #RussellHornsby and Mayor Ed Gainey who attended with his lovely wife Michelle, Denise Turner Esq. (CEO August Wilson House), an assortment of folks from the foundation community which included Yvonne Cook and Marcia Martin ( Highmark), Mark Lewis (Poise Foundation) and members from the financial community along with a strong presence of the 100 Black Men organization.
Mark Clayton Southers (Founder Pittsburgh Playwrights) along with #JITNEY cast members Sala Udin-Howze, Jonathan Berry, Charles E Timbers Jr, Boykin Anthony, Elexa Hanner, Roosevelt Watts, Richard L. McBride Mike Traylor, Leslie Howard and Dionysius Akeem were there.
Judges Kim Clark (with husband Walt Hale), Wrenna Watson and Joe Williams and wife Darryl, actors #WaliJamal, Kim El, fine artist Brandon Jennings and his lovely wife Mia were in attendance. Brandon has created a stunning portrait of #AugustWilson and also did the artwork for JITNEY.
I was happy to see Bill Strickland, Delores Southers, Joy Southers, Niecy Southers, Carl Redwood and his beautiful wife Tawnya Redwood, Mercedes Parr (producer), writer/director Terrence Spivey from Cleveland, Jackie Jeffries (AUDELCO) and Debbie McIntyre from New York City. Also, there was Lorraine Turner, Chris Rawson, Irv Dywer, a University of Pittsburgh Student fim crew working on an #AUGUSTWILSON documtary and so many, many other wonderful people working to make a difference and bringing about Good Change to the Pittsburgh Community that will have an impact on the lives of many future generations.
Oh, did I mention that the food and music were great. Or that young people performed magnificent heart wrenching monologues?
The August Wilson House is an exquisite space with a replication of the actual living space where #AugustWilson grew up. Outside there are sidewalk bricks that can be purchased with an individual's name to show support.
Another exciting program is the outreach educational program in schools.
An added benefit of the AUGUST WILSON HOUSE are meeting rooms for artist residencies and as well as an outdoor theater space.
In fact, right now there is a collaboration August Wilson House and #PittsburghPlaywrightsTheater of the play JITNEY directed by Mark Clayton Southers. It is one of the finest productions of the show I have seen. Please try to attend.
Always, Melony 💜
aka Miss Mellie Rainbow
#AugustWilsonHouse
#PittsburghPA #DenzelWashington
#JITNEY Show Dates
8/25-8/28
9/1-9/4
9/15-9/18
www.pghplaywrights.org for tickets