{"type":"link","asset_type":"article","version":"1.0","cache_age":3600,"provider_name":"CANVAS Arts","provider_url":"https:\/\/artscanvas.org","title":"Anna Deavere Smith brings her family's history to the stage in 'Basil Biggs'","publication_date":"July 21, 2026","summary":"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.","author_name":"By Jeffrey Brown, Karina Cuevas, Hunter Bonaparte","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/cdn.artscanvas.org\/static\/2026\/07\/c5830c9abacc7d61e8bc9643954bc6c6-annadevearsmith-1024x576.png","thumbnail_height":576,"thumbnail_width":1024}