ms. doreen. you'll have an understanding of who ma rainey was. after ma rainey's, then we've got joe turner's come and gone which premiered in 1984 and it was set in 1911. and then finally we get to "fences" premiered in 1987. we're going to talk about "fences" in just a second. and he also wrote "the piano lesson," "king headily," gem of the ocean," and "radio golf." let's talk about "fences." august wilson is influenced and in conversation with more than just playwrights. at some point in time he stopping concerning himself with white representation and he specifically begins to seek out black representation and black art. one of the artists that he specifically looked to was romare bearden. i didn't break it and i'm really proud of that. >> i have a question about ma rainey. does it have to do with sexuality? >> yes. in fact, ma rainey's black bottom does have to do with sexuality. one of the other characteristics in the play is dussy may. and that character has built a relationship with ma. and the play intimates that is the of a sexual natur