Monday, April 1, 2019

A - Anna Deveare Smith

Intense evening with Anna Deavere Smith last Tuesday evening. She was the final performer for the UTA Maverick Speaker series and gave quite a tour de force.  The woman is an actress, playwright, MacArthur Genius Fellow, and more. She's currently a professor at New York U Tisch School of Arts.

She's been traveling the country to record conversations. You name it, she's capturing it. She re-enacted two conversations that were rather intense.  One with opera singer Jessye Norman and one with Congressman John Lewis.  The subject of racism was the general theme and it was quite enlightening.  This is a subject that I obviously cannot even remotely pretend to understand. I've not experienced it or could come close to fathoming the depth that the subject goes. But what she acted on Tuesday night was bone chilling.

As usual , the speaker series makes one think.  Anna Deavere Smith was a class act all the way and she spoke about how she has to just appreciate herself, deal with the world, and seek positive solutions.

Another interesting event and one I shall ponder for awhile.

Cheers to all doing April's A to Z blog challenge.  I am not participating, but I'll chime in on certain letter days.  This is A!!!!

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful!!! Your 'AChime' is a welcome read and enlightening on a woman, a subject and news worthy story that should be making an impact in the news today. Hopefully it will! Look forward to your next 'ChimeIn'.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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  2. She was an interesting speaker, I'm sure. I'm glad you got to attend and enjoy this series of speakers. Good luck with the A-to-Z challenge whenever you chime in.

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    1. thanks. She was thought provoking and it was a cool presentation

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  3. Hi Joanne - certainly sounds like an interesting speaker and am glad you were able to attend ... cheers Hilary

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    1. thanks. She was quite deep. I would like to hear more from her

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  4. Sounds like a remarkable woman.
    Oh my, it's A-Z already. Bless those souls!
    Be well, Joanne.

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    1. yep - you'd have gotten a kick out of her. If she talks out your way, check her out.

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  5. Sounds like an interesting speaker!

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