Anna Deavere Smith brings her family's history to the stage in 'Basil Biggs'

By — Jeffrey Brown Jeffrey Brown By — Karina Cuevas Karina Cuevas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/anna-deavere-smith-brings-her-familys-history-to-the-stage-in-basil-biggs Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Anna Deavere Smith is well known for her acting in films and TV, including on “The West Wing” and “Nurse Jackie.” She’s also made an impact as a playwright, creating her own style of theatrical dramas that explore aspects of American life. Now, she’s doing something new: looking back at her own family history. Jeffrey Brown met with Smith in Philadelphia for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. Listen to this Segment By — Jeffrey Brown Jeffrey Brown In his more than 30-year career with the News Hour, Brown has served as co-anchor, studio moderator, and field reporter on a wide range of national and international issues, with work taking him around the country and to many parts of the globe. As arts correspondent he has profiled many of the world's leading writers, musicians, actors and other artists. Among his signature works at the News Hour: a multi-year series, “Culture at Risk,” about threatened cultural heritage in the United States and abroad; the creation of the NewsHour’s online “Art Beat”; and hosting the monthly book club, “Now Read This,” a collaboration with The New York Times. By — Karina Cuevas Karina Cuevas