You'll kick yourself—for the next decade—if you don't catch this play.
— The Oregonian
August Wilson’s
How I Learned What I Learned
January 17– February 3, 2024
Co-Conceived by TODD KREIDLER
Directed by TIM BOND
One of the greatest playwrights of our time returns to the stage in this open-hearted memoir charting one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity, and what it means to be a Black artist in America. Originally performed by August Wilson himself, How I Learned What I Learned recounts his early days as a young poet, his first few jobs, encounters with racism, a stint in jail, divine connection with music, and the luminosity of love. Helmed by former Artistic Director and acclaimed Wilson interpreter Tim Bond, and brought to life by award-winning actor Steven Anthony Jones, this captivating production provides unique insights about the man behind some of the most celebrated plays of the 20th century.
Cast
KIRSTEN DELOHR HELLAND
SIREN: Kirsten “Kiki” deLohr Helland is a Seattle-based, award-winning performer and collaborator. Seattle Repertory Theatre: Lizard Boy. The 5th Avenue Theatre: The Sound of Music (Maria), Grease (Rizzo), Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), Elf (Jovie), Hairspray in Concert (Penny Pingleton), Pirates of Penzance, Rent and Titanic in Concert. Village Theatre: Les Misérables (Eponine), Trails (Amy), The Tutor (Hildegarde). Village Theatre Beta Series: String (Lachesis), Afterwords (Jo). ArtsWest: American Idiot (Whatsername). Film: Laggies. When she isn’t acting, Kiki enjoys True Crime Documentaries, singing with her lifelong best friend Justin Huertas and spending as much time in Disneyland as possible. She holds a B.F.A. from Pacific Lutheran University.
JUSTIN HUERTAS
TREVOR: Justin Huertas is an award-winning playwright, composer-lyricist, and actor. His original musical Lizard Boy world-premiered at Seattle Rep (4 Gregory Awards, Seattle Times Footlight Award), toured to San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre (Craig Noel Award), and had two staged readings at Playwrights Horizons. His follow-up fantasy The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion (with additional music by Steven Tran) premiered at ArtsWest Playhouse & Gallery. Lydia & the Troll is third in his series of Seattle-set modern-myth musicals. Justin wrote music and lyrics for Book-It Repertory Theatre’s Howl’s Moving Castle and for The Lamplighter with co-authors Sara Porkalob and Kirsten “Kiki” deLohr Helland. Find him on social media: “Justin Writes Musicals.”
WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS
CARY: A California native, William A. Williams is a musician/actor now based out of New York City. Seattle Repertory Theatre: Lizard Boy (Cary), Of Mice and Men (Whit). Balagan Theater: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (Dr. Horrible). Contemporary Classics: …Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), Zanna, Don’t! (Steve, Arvin) Village Theatre: Beauty and the Beast, Showboat, The Gypsy King. Seattle Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors. William played guitar in productions of Spring Awakening (Balagan), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (ArtsWest) and took on the bass guitar for The Iceman Lab at Target Margin in NYC. He can often be spotted rummaging through endless crates of vinyl records, singing standards in dingy bars, or producing funky tracks in his humble home studio. William received a B.F.A. from Cornish College of the Arts.
Special Events and Accessible Performances
- Wednesday, January 24, 2024 @ 7:30pm
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024 @ 7:30pm
- Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 2pm
- Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 8pm
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024 @ 2pm
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024 @ 7:30pm
- Tuesday, January 30, 2024 @ 7:30pm
- Friday, January 26, 2024 @ 8pm
- Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 2pm