Anna Deavere Smith

Studio 360

Anna Deavere Smith is best known for playing the national security advisor on The West Wing but she’s also a theater pioneer — writing and performing plays based on hundreds of interviews with real people. On stage at the Aspen Ideas Festival, she describes her current work, “Let Me Down Easy,” about the resilience of the human body. And she performs an excerpt where she portrays a champion bull rider named Brent Williams.

Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!