Seven Guitars by August Wilson Brings Detroit Talent to the Stage

October 31 – November 9, 2025
Hilberry Gateway – the STAGE
Directed by Billicia Charnelle Hines

The 2025–2026 theatre season continues with Seven Guitars by August Wilson — a powerful work that celebrates one of America’s most important playwrights through the artistry of Detroit-based students, alumni, and faculty. Presented at the Hilberry Gateway’s STAGE, this production honors Wilson’s profound legacy while spotlighting the vibrant creativity and storytelling power thriving in Detroit’s theatre community.

Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1948, Seven Guitars follows a close-knit group of friends grappling with the sudden death of Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton, a blues guitarist whose life was cut short just as fame beckoned. Through live music and Wilson’s signature lyrical dialogue, the play delves into ambition, systemic injustice, and the enduring human desire to be remembered.

As Floyd and his companions pursue dreams against the weight of a world built to limit them, Seven Guitars captures both the heartbreak and hope woven into the African American experience — themes that continue to resonate deeply today.

Directed by Billicia Charnelle Hines, this production invites audiences to experience Wilson’s timeless storytelling brought to life by the next generation of Detroit theatre artists.