Sanders is also well known for his many collaborations with the legendary August Wilson, including in Chicago his award-winning productions of Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Seven Guitars for Congo Square. His Off-Broadway directorial debut, Wilson's King Hedley II for Signature Theatre, received two Lucille Lortel and Audelco nominations. He was also a part of August Wilson's world premiere productions of Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean on Broadway and at the Huntington Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and the Goodman.