Professor Evelyn Etheridge gave me my introduction to the playwright August Wilson during my sophomore year of college. I wasn’t your typical sophomore. I was 34 years old, and a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. Ms. Etheridge had her own Theatre Troupe, but they weren’t part of Paine College’s Theatre Program, which meant, we did the work, and sacrificed our time and talents, for the love of learning the craft, for the love of the stories she taught us to to tell, and for the love of The Etheridge Arts Ensemble. Ms. Etheridge put the first August Wilson Script into my hands, Fences! I finished it and rushed back to her office to catch her before she headed home. I wanted to know, when were we going to perform the play? She looked me in the eye and said, “Starr, you’re not ready yet… you’ve got more work to do.” It was two years, and four productions later before she allowed me to step into the shoes of Troy Maxson. Little did I know, I’d be wearing the shoes of 12 different August Wilson Characters in the next 32 years, in 18 different Productions.

Over 15 years ago, I was fortunate enough to be cast in August Wilson’s, Jitney. Directed by Synthia Williams for The Renaissance Project, the Artistic Direct was Michael H. Cole. This for me was a major turning point. I was new to Atlanta, and the only taste of August Wilson I’d had to this point was in a piece entitled “Medley of a Playwright” it was a compilation of scenes from August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, directed by Nikki Young. I got the opportunity to meet some of the best talent that Atlanta had to offer, this for me was another stepping stone. The Renaissance Project followed up Jitney, with another August Wilson Production a year later. This time it was Two Trains Running, by August Wilson, and once again it was directed by Synthia Williams. Another familiar face was Keith Franklin. This union along with another cast member from Two Trains, Robb Douglas led to the formation of the New African Grove Theatre Company. Our first Production was Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, at the 14th Street Playhouse, downtown, Atlanta, Ga. We made a commitment to each other to produce all ten plays from the Century Cycle… and we complete the task, becoming the only the 17th Theatre Company to ever accomplish that achievement.

I have taken many road trips in my life time, but I must say, one of my most gratifying road trips was, as usual, with Baby, my wife. However, this one was extra special. This trip was to Pittsburgh's Hill District. It was a joy to walk the streets that until this point, I'd only talked about, only dreamed about. And to knock on the door of 1839 Wiley, was a dream come true. To do so with my partner in crime, Mr. Keith Franklin, was PRICELESS!

You see, Keith and I are the only two Actors to ever Produce, and Perform in all ten plays from the August Wilson, Century Cycle - TOGETHER. We kept the New African Grove Theatre Company together hook or crook, and produced the complete Century Cycle. TOGETHER!