Anna Deavere Smith Honors Forgotten Hero in The Basil Biggs Project Premiere

Actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith will premiere her latest work, The Basil Biggs Project, at Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater from 26 to 28 June. The play centres on her ancestor Basil Biggs, a figure tied to the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. It was commissioned as part of ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Smith first learned about Basil Biggs in 2014 while appearing on the PBS show Finding Your Roots. The Adams County Historical Society, where Biggs is a recognised figure, later reached out to her about bringing his story to the stage.

In 1863, Biggs was hired to lead a crew of seven to ten Black men. Their task was to disinter, identify, and rebury thousands of soldiers in an orderly layout, which became the Gettysburg National Cemetery. He also prepared the grounds for President Abraham Lincoln’s visit to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

The Basil Biggs Project is a workshop performance featuring rehearsed, costumed actors but no built set. Smith, known for works like Fires in the Mirror and Twilight: Los Angeles, is a MacArthur fellowship winner. The play will run for three days at the Wilma Theater. It forms part of a wider festival commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Smith’s work sheds light on a little-known but significant historical figure.