Lifetime Achievement

Jet, June 2, 2003

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson (c) is congratulated by actors Charles Dutton (l) and Brian Stokes Mitchell after Wilson was honored with the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent New Dramatists 54th Annual Benefit Luncheon at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York. At right, actress Leslie Uggams and news anchor Walter Cronkite, a co-chair for the event, share the proud moment with the playwright, whose critically acclaimed works include Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, King Hedley II, Jitney and The Piano Lesson. Mitchell, nominated for a Tony for his performance in Wilson's King Hedley II, presented the prestigious award to Wilson. Dutton, who has starred in many of Wilson's plays, gave a tribute to the playwright. Uggams, who co-starred with Mitchell in King Hedley II and was nominated for a Tony, also feted Wilson with a musical tribute. New Dramatists is the nation's oldest nonprofit workshop dedicated to the development of new playwrights.

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