Anna Deavere Smith

Actress, playwright, and teacher, Anna Deavere Smith is said to have created a new form of theatre. Her latest play, Notes From the Field, explores issues of justice and opportunity in America through the lens of education. Television and film work includes The West Wing, Nurse Jackie, Black – ish and Madame Secretary. Films include The American President, Rachel Getting Married and Philadelphia. She is University Professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Awards include the National Humanities Medal presented by President Obama, the MacArthur Award, a George Polk Award in Journalism, The Ridenhour Courage Prize and the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Award. She is planning on being the President and Chief Founding Officer of the Susie Tompkins Buell Fan Club.