Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Presents August Wilson's Seven Guitars
Monday, July 29th, 2024
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is very pleased to announce the kickoff on August 31, 2024 of the first in a series of theatrical readings of the great plays by iconic writer August Wilson. Augusta native and renowned actor Jerome Preston Bates will be directing and performing.
The series will start with Seven Guitars on August 31st at 6:00pm. Cost is $50 per person and seating is limited. The performance will be held in the Museum’s Conference Center.
A special bonus package for $70 is available that weekend and includes a ticket to Seven Guitars on August 31st and the popular Men on the Bag Black Caddies Experience on Sept. 1st at 3:00pm.
August Wilson was a Pulitzer Prize winning American playwright who has been referred to as "theater's poet of Black America". Best known for his series of 10 plays that chronicled the experiences and heritage of the African-American community, he highlighted the joys and the struggles of Black Americans over the course of the 20th century.
Jerome Preston Bates is a graduate of Laney High School and studied at Paine College, Knoxville College, Spelman summer acting program, University of Tennessee, LAMDA London then moved to NYC. His Broadway performances include Death of a Salesmanby Arthur Miller; Seven Guitars and Jitney by August Wilson; American Son by Christopher Demos-Brown, and Stickfly directed by Tony-nominated Kenny Leon. Off Broadway highlights include Seven Guitars with Viola Davis; Loose Blossoms with Chadwick Boseman; and Macbeth at the Old Globe Theatre. Television and film include HBO series Oz, Law and Order, Shaft, Peeples, Marvels, and Something to Give. He directed ten August Wilson Plays in 2005 to 2008 at the Laney Museum to sellout crowds. An acclaimed director, actor, playwright, and teacher, Mr. Bates was awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Mr. Bates is very excited to bring the series of theatrical readings to a new generation.
Tickets are now available at LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com. The Museum’s August Wilson series sold out quickly when it was offered fifteen years ago so we advise purchasing your tickets early.
The next Theatrical Reading in the Series will be a production of King Hedley II on November 2nd.
The Laney Museum is located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30901. For questions please call 706-724-3576.
