Educator's Packet

Basic Facts

Fences is a drama written by August Wilson from a series of other plays called the Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play within the series depicts a decade in the 20th century of African American neighborhood called the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Fences represents the decade of the 1950s. The play is two act with a cast consisting of five males and two females. The running time of the play is approximately two hours and 40 minutes.

Plot summary

The play begins with TROY and BONO, talking about work and the unequal treatment of black and white workers. TROY is a hard working man who has endured through many struggles in life from abuse from his father to incarceration to discrimination and racism. TROY has a loving and devoted wife, ROSE and a high school age son, CORY. TROY takes it as his responsibility to provide for them with the income of a garbage man. In addition, he provides for his war wounded brother Gabriel, who believes he is an angel, and is brother from a previous marriage, LYONS. Each of these characters need something from TROY. His son, CORY, wants to pursue a career in football but TROY refuses support him. Having these constant responsibilities and struggles doesn’t leave room for himself which results in him finding his ‘escape’ in an affair with another woman. His actions leaves the woman with child and him a father. He tells ROSE, who is not only hurt and angry, refuses to have anything to do with him. The other woman dies in child birth and TROY ask ROSE to take care of his child, RAYNELL. She accepts the child but renounces her duties as being ‘his woman’. Seven years pass and every gathers together for TROY funeral. Family deal with the unresolved issues they have with TROY and eventually have to let go of the past and move forward.

Playwright
August Wilson is an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson


Production History

Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, California September 2006-October 2006

“Time has enhanced the luster of "Fences." Dozens of dysfunctional-family dramas have come and gone since its 1987 Pulitzer win, but August Wilson's tragedy of a working man at war with his family and his own identity circa 1957 stands apart thanks to its distinctive lyricism and theatricality and its unforgettable central character”

Geva Theatre Rochester, New York May 2009-June 2009

“…one of the most engaging productions I've seen on the Geva stage.”

Penumbra Theatre Company Saint Paul, Minnesota August 2008-September 2008

“Wilson’s words have power and motion and a driving force that makes Fences a real thrill to watch in action.”

Angus Bowmer Theatre Ashland, Oregon Febuary 2008-July 2008

“August Wilson's magnificent "Fences" reminds us where we've been, how far we've come and the limitless possibilities of where we can go.”

Lorraine Hansberry Theatre San Francisco, California March 2008 - April 2008
“…most commercially successful play in the cycle”


Things to do and Think About

1. When building and designing the set, what was the greatest challenge for the designers?
2. (For the director) Did you want the audience to be sympathetic toward Troy? Why?
3. Which character was the most difficult to portray through directorial choices ?
4. What reasoning led you to have Gabriel portrayed in that way directorially?
5. Have you directed this play before and if you have what changes have you made to the production?

Additional References

Homepage for August Wilson
http://www.augustwilson.net/

This website has a archive of primary document by August Wilson and would be helpful to understand the works and ideas of Wilson from previous works he has done.

The Hill District History
http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n4.html

This website is an Q&A setup of frequently asked questions of the Hill District. The setting of Fences is in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA and this website would help understand the world of the play.

Negro League Players
http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/players/players_index.html

This website gives a list of famous negro baseball players and their information. The play makes a lot of references to players within the Negro League of that time and Troy used to play in the Negro Leagues.

Civil Rights Timeline
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html

This website gives a timeline of significant invents during civil rights. The time that the play is set is during civil rights era.

Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/awilson.html

A study guide and informing website for teachers who want to experience Fences in an education setup.