American Masters Season 29

Season 29

Air date: 2015-01-23

Episodes: 8

Episodes

E1: Ricky Jay: Deceptive Practice

This portrait of the inimitable magician Ricky Jay delves into the mysterious world of sleight-of-hand and its small circle of eccentric devotees. Jay is also a best-selling author, historian, actor and a leading collector of antiquarian books and artifacts. Told largely in Jay’s own distinctive voice, the documentary traces the story of his achievement and that of other master magicians.

Air date: 2015-01-23

E2: August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand

Unprecedented access to Wilson’s theatrical archives, rarely seen interviews and new dramatic readings bring to life his seminal 10-play cycle chronicling a century of African-American life. Wilson won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama.

Air date: 2015-02-20

E3: Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler

A profile of legendary violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz (1901-87), featuring remarks from violinists Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis and Ida Haendel; former students Ayke Agus and Sherry Kloss; and biographers John Anthony Maltese and Arthur Vered.

Air date: 2015-04-16

E4: American Ballet Theatre: A History

Delving into the rich history of one of the world’s preeminent ballet companies, Ric Burns combines intimate rehearsal footage, virtuoso performances and interviews with American Ballet Theatre’s key figures.

Air date: 2015-05-15

E5: Harper Lee

One of the biggest American bestsellers of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) was thought to be the first and only novel by Harper Lee. However, on July 14, 2015, Go Set a Watchman was released, featuring characters from Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Newly updated version of Mary McDonagh Murphy’s 2012 documentary, Harper Lee: Hey, Boo.

Air date: 2015-07-10

E6: Althea

This is the story of Althea Gibson (1927-2003), a truant from the rough streets of Harlem, who emerged as the unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s. She was the first African American to play and win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open) — a decade before Arthur Ashe. Interviewees include Wimbledon champion Dick Savitt and Billie Jean King.

Air date: 2015-09-04

E7: Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer's Journey

An exclusive interview with Mexican-American photographer Pedro E. Guerrero explores his life and work. He collaborated with iconic American artists of the 20th century -- architect Frank Lloyd Wright and sculptors Alexander Calder and Louise Nevelson -- and became one of the most sought-after photographers of the “Mad Men” era.

Air date: 2015-09-18

E8: The Women's List

Meet 15 women who define contemporary American culture in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ new “List” film featuring Madeleine Albright, Margaret Cho, Edie Falco, Betsey Johnson, Alicia Keys, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez, Wendy Williams and more. All trailblazers in their fields, these women share their experiences struggling against discrimination and overcoming challenges to make their voices heard.

Air date: 2015-09-25