Anna Deavere Smith Wings It on the Common
Reads from New Book at Suffolk Convocation
By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 23, 2006
During the morning George Bush Sr., the original Big Papi and former leader of the free world, addressed a convocation in a huge tent erected on Boston Common celebrating the 100th anniversary of Suffolk University. There couldn't have been a more dramatic social, political and aesthetic about face later in the afternoon when performer and playwright, Anna Deavere Smith, winner of a 1996 Mac Arthur "Genius" Fellowship, appeared on the same stage under the big top to read excerpts from her new book "Letters to a Young Artist: Straight-Up Advice on Making a Life in the Arts for Actors, Performers, Writers and Artists of Every Kind" (Anchor Books, a division of Random House, 2006, 228 pages, U.S. $ 13.)
Arriving on time for the event I was able to get a front row seat in the sparsely attended tent which gradually filled to about half capacity. Which is less than Presidential but decent enough for the former National Security Advisor (Nancy McNally) of the now cancelled television series "West Wing." They were passing out copies of the book and I had about forty five minutes to sample a number of the short and lively passages which offer straight from the shoulder advice to a fictional recipient. The letters are all signed ADS and convey an intimate and encouraging tone intended for young readers.
During a question period a Suffolk theatre student asked if that had limited her language or caused any restraints. During the reading she asked the audience if it was ok to use profanity in quoting from an interview with a cowboy bull rider. It's the kind of profanity that she opted to keep out of the book. She explained that an early interviewer of cowboys who dragged around recording equipment on a pickup truck was unable to find a publisher for his transcribed interviews because of the rough talk of the cowboys.
Smith is a master of capturing the language, body gestures, facial expressions and personality of a vast range of characters. Her special gift is to be able to explore all sides of controversies involving race and conflict simultaneously. She explained that she had studied how to conduct interviews and just what kinds of questions allowed her to break down barriers and get individuals to open up and convey their information. After compiling a great mass of material following a tragic accidental death and resultant racial conflict and killings in the Crown Heights incident in Brooklyn, that pitted Jews against blacks, she developed a play with multiple characters. Initially she hoped to develop a company to stage the play but it eventually evolved to become the remarkable one woman performance "Fires in the Mirror" (1993). It was not her first play but the one that earned her an instant reputation as one of the elite American performers and playwrights. This was followed by a similar treatment of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles "Twilight" 2000.
At the podium reading from the new book she was both relaxed in casual white tailored shirt and black pants, as well as commanding. She has the ability to change mood and direction with the flick of an internal switch. Although today she is a celebrity she humorously related how her dog is more famous and commands more attention than she does. It was hilarious. Then the mood darkened when she talked about having lost a great friend to cancer just the week before. She then channeled the late former governor of Texas, Ann Richards, with a slow drawl and great emphasis. In the warmth and humor of the anecdotes one could feel the depth of the friendship and its importance to her.
Because of her celebrity status as a known "Genius" she gets to travel in elite company such as the cast and crew of the "West Wing." But you also sense that she loves to capture the heart and soul of every level, color, and flavor of American life. Nothing escapes the intensity of her observation and the ability to suck up character and dialect.
You begin to wonder just who is the "real" Anna Deavere? Reading from her book of letters she discussed how she had been inspired by "Letters to a Young Poet" (1903-1908) by Rainer Maria Rilke. She told the young audience of the importance of having a presence. And conveying confidence. Qualities she had in abundance.
Later during a reception she was surrounded by students and dignitaries including the author and Boston Globe columnist, James Carroll, who is a scholar in residence at the university. Standing near her I blurted out to catch her attention 'Man, you're big. (She is in fact quite tall). You sure have a presence." Turning toward me she said "So do you. I saw you in the front row." I wondered if she was channeling me. It was a special moment.