August Wilson's Spirit Lives On Through Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Ruben Santiago-Hudson remains a steadfast custodian of August Wilson's theatrical legacy, ten years after the playwright's passing in 2005. Wilson, facing terminal liver cancer, entrusted Santiago-Hudson with his autobiographical one-man show, "How I Learned What I Learned," urging him to "tell my story." Since then, Santiago-Hudson has dedicated himself to bringing Wilson's profound works to life.

This fall, Santiago-Hudson will direct a revival of Wilson's "Seven Guitars" at Lincoln Center Theater, marking the play's 30th anniversary. His lifelong artistic connection with Wilson, which began with Wilson's 1996 drama "Seven Guitars," has seen Santiago-Hudson act in, direct, and adapt nearly all of Wilson's major plays. He emphasizes that the potent energy of Wilson's writing is intrinsically linked to the blues, which he considers a critical historical archive of Black Americans' experiences.

Santiago-Hudson also reveres the late director Lloyd Richards, who mentored him and first championed Wilson's work. Richards's influence, particularly his role in the 1984 production of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," profoundly impacted Santiago-Hudson, affirming his place in the theater. He now strives to pass this understanding to new generations, invoking the spirits of Wilson and Richards.

Santiago-Hudson's dedication extends to preserving Wilson's personal artifacts, including an ink pen and a harmonica, as talismans that connect him to the playwright's spirit and their close, albeit sometimes contentious, relationship. He continues to explore Wilson's characters, even considering roles like Troy Maxson in "Fences," demonstrating an enduring commitment to the playwright's expansive vision.