A lot of acting techniques are very self-oriented. Anna Deavere Smith actlotorient Change image and share on social
I made a real specific decision when I came out of school and most artists were writing about home - if you were a woman, you were writing about being a woman - and I decided not to do that, write about what you know. That's not what I do. I went as far away from home as possible in terms of the development of my imagination. Anna Deavere Smith artistdecidedecision share on social
Suddenly in high school, I'm in a predominantly Jewish atmosphere. Jewish people were my gate to white America. Anna Deavere Smith americaatmospheregate Change image and share on social
When I got out of acting school, I was lucky to have gotten any job at all. A lot of people hiring African American actresses - it was right after 'Roots,' and for society, not me, it was great. Nice richly dark-skinned people was the fashion, and I was not. Anna Deavere Smith actactressafrican share on social
I have a lot of optimism about new doctors because I think it's really clear that it's a lot of hard work and no guarantee of a lot of money. Anna Deavere Smith cleardoctorguarantee Change image and share on social
I think a lot of L.A. is something like USC - this incredible white culture living in the midst of color, and no obvious reaction to it at all. I mean, they have guards at the gate at USC - guards at the gate of a major university! And the guards chase young black boys away - I've seen it, chasing 8-year-old boys. Anna Deavere Smith blackboychase share on social
Learning is a tunnel experience that makes us think more broadly. Anna Deavere Smith broadlyexperiencelearn Change image and share on social
I think it's really important to give yourself a very big question that you're working on that you can come home to, even if you, you know, are going to have to go without a cup of coffee or even a meal, that that should nourish you. Anna Deavere Smith bigcoffeecup share on social
People in power have to be careful about what comes out of their mouth. They have to find exactly the right word that can't be attacked. Anna Deavere Smith attackcarefulfind Change image and share on social
I mean, I think that - as an actress, in particular, I'm basically a fool, and I see the world upside down. Anna Deavere Smith actressbasicallyfool Change image and share on social