The Ohio State University's Wexner Center for the Arts presents "Anna Deavere Smith: Listening to America" as part of the Director's Dialogue on Art and Social Change.

Anna Deavere Smith is a MacArthur award-winning actress, playwright, and author, who has performed in film and TV as well as on stage. She currently plays Gloria Akalitus on Showtime's hit series "Nurse Jackie." The development of Smith's solo production "Let Me Down Easy" allowed the artist to observe health-care in America from a variety of perspectives, including those of patients, doctors, policymakers, and pastors. This year's Director's Dialogue on Art and Social Change uses Smith's theater piece as a springboard for a timely discussion about the past, present, and future of medical care in the United States and the issues that face health-care professionals and the public alike.

At the Mershon Auditorium on February 28, Smith trades insights with Dr. Steven Gabbe, senior vice president for Health Sciences and chief executive officer at the Ohio State University Medical Center, and moderator Patricia J. Williams, renowned legal scholar, author, and commentator.