Israel Hicks facts for kids

Israel Theo Hicks (born August 23, 1943 – died July 3, 2010) was a talented American theatre director. He created many plays at theaters all over the country and in New York City. He was most famous for directing all the plays by August Wilson. These plays told important stories about the lives of African Americans in the U.S. during and after the Great Migration.

Early Life

Israel Hicks was born on August 23, 1943, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. When he was a child, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York City. He spent his summers on his grandfather's farm in South Carolina.

He discovered his love for theater while studying at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. He became even better at directing after earning a special degree from New York University. There, a famous director named Lloyd Richards became his mentor. Mr. Richards was the one who first showed Hicks the amazing plays of August Wilson.

His Amazing Career

Israel Hicks was not only a director but also an acting instructor. He taught at Carnegie Mellon University. He also led theater programs at the SUNY Purchase's Conservatory of Theatre Arts and at the Mason Gross School of the Arts of Rutgers University. Hicks directed plays at many well-known theaters, including the American Conservatory Theater and the Guthrie Theater.

Directing August Wilson's Plays

While working at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Israel Hicks was asked a big question: Would he like to direct all ten of August Wilson's plays? These plays are known as The Pittsburgh Cycle. Hicks quickly said yes!

He became the first person known to direct every single one of these ten plays. He started with Fences in 1990 and finished with Radio Golf in 2009. Hicks felt a deep connection to Wilson's plays. He said that the characters in the plays were "like members of my family." He believed that spending time in the South helped him understand these stories so well.

Wilson's plays show what life was like for African Americans in the 20th century in Pittsburgh's Hill District. Hicks often wore a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap as his special trademark while directing. During his 20 years with the Denver Center Theatre Company, he directed almost 20 plays.

Helping Other Actors

Hicks also helped start the Ebony Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles. He was its artistic director. Many actors, especially African-American actors, looked up to him. Stephen Henderson, a well-known actor, said that Hicks was a great role model. He also said that many actors, directors, and playwrights got their start because of Hicks. Henderson felt that Hicks was one of the best directors he ever worked with. Hicks had a special way of bringing a group of actors together to create amazing performances.

Later Life

Israel Hicks lived in White Plains, New York. He passed away on July 3, 2010, at the age of 66, in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He died from prostate cancer. He was survived by his second wife, Renée Harriston-Hicks.