Anna Deavere Smith’s
FIRES in the MIRROR begins January 28
16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, is proud to announce its production of Anna Deavere Smith’s Fires in the Mirror directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer. Fires in the Mirror will run January 28 – February 28, 2009 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, with a press opening of Friday January 30th at 7:30 PM.
Crown Heights, Brooklyn. August 1991. Fires in the Mirror is a stunning exploration through art and journalism of the events and emotions surrounding the 1991 riots. Four diverse women embody 26 of the religious leaders, activists, victims, and residents originally interviewed and performed by Ms. Smith. “Quite simply the most compelling and sophisticated view of urban racial and class conflict that one could hope to encounter.” --New York Times
Director Ann Filmer was honored to receive Ms. Smith’s blessing to produce a four-women version of the play. The production was scheduled to coincide with Ms. Smith’s visit to Chicago on January 27 as part of Columbia College’s Conversations in the Arts: The Founders Lectures.
Playwright
Fires in the Mirror
Anna Deavere Smith’s work in the theater explores American character and our multifaceted national identity. She has won numerous awards, among them two Obies, two Tony nominations and a MacArthur fellowship. She is currently University Professor at New York University.
Ms. Smith is founding director of the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue, based at New York University. The institute was originally created at Harvard University. The Institute is dedicated to creating a community of artists, social entrepreneurs, humanitarians and human rights workers who use their varied forms of talent and expertise to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
In the theater Ms. Smith is known for looking at controversial events from multiple points of view. Her work combines the journalistic technique of interviewing her subjects with the art of interpreting their words through performance. The New York Times called her “the ultimate impressionist, she does people’s souls.”
She is the author of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Fires in the Mirror; and House Arrest. Her newest play is Let Me Down Easy. Her books include Talk To Me, a book about presidential politics; and Letters to A Young Artist. Television shows include Presidio Med, The West Wing, The Practice, and the upcoming Nurse Jackie. Films include The American President, Dave, and The Human Stain. She is the recipient of the Americans for the Arts National Arts Award and the Mayor’s Award in New York City. She has served as the initial artist-in-residence of the Aspen Institute, the Ford Foundation, and MTV Networks. She has received many honorary degrees, including those from the Juilliard School and Northwestern University, and she is the recipient of the Radcliffe and Barnard College medals. Ms. Smith is on the board of the Museum of Modern Art.
Four women embody 26 characters. They are Kirsten D’Aurelio, Cheri Lynne, Caroline Rau and Miranda Zola. The design team includes Timothy Spencer (scenic design), Mac Vaughey (lighting), Barry Bennett (sound), Samantha Jones (costumes) and Jesse Gaffney (prop design). Stage manager is Jennifer Aparicio with assistant direction by Stephanie Diaz. The play is directed by Ann Filmer. Full bios and photos available at www.16thstreettheater.org
