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Nature 459, 648 (4 June 2009) | doi:10.1038/459648a; Published online 3 June 2009

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Q&A: Acting the part

Jascha Hoffman

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Actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith has pioneered documentary theatre through her one-woman plays constructed from interviews. As she prepares to portray biologists Edward O. Wilson and James Watson at the World Science Festival in New York next week, Smith talks about life, death and the influence of science on her work.

ARTS REVIEWED: Watching Wilson and Watson

Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City
11 June 2009. Part of the World Science Festival, 10–14 June.

When did you start writing plays based on interviews with real people?Nearly 30 years ago, I created a project called On The Road: A Search for American Character.