Actor and playwright Roger Guenveur Smith to visit Iowa City

You will have three chances to see popular actor and playwright Roger Guenveur Smith during his upcoming appearances in Iowa City.

By Gretchen Lembcke Pena

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Arts & Culture

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September 16, 2025

From Sept. 19 — Sept. 20, Roger Guenveur Smith, best known for his work with iconic director Spike Lee, will be visiting Iowa City as part of the Infinite Dream Festival.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Roger Guenveur Smith and Spike Lee attend EBONY Power 100 at Milk Studios Los Angeles on October 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for EBONY MEDIA GROUP)

The event is focused on multidisciplinary arts and explores the complexity of American history. Guenveur Smith will be engaging in public conversation and will play two of his solo shows.

Event Information:

1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at the Old Senate Chamber.
Roger Guenveur Smith in Conversation w/ Prof. Caroline Clay
7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at The James Theater.
In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Personal Tribute to a Revolutionary Artist
6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at The James Theater.
Frederick Douglass NOW

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Author

Gretchen Lembcke Pena

Gretchen Lembcke Peña is a multimedia bilingual journalist originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She holds a B.A in Multimedia Journalism from Lynn University and recently earned her M.A in Bilingual Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Her reporting centers on community and cross-cultural storytelling with a focus on representation. Gretchen has long been passionate about writing surrounding social issues, arts, culture, and entertainment, which led her to pursue journalism. Outside the newsroom, she spends her time tackling her reading goal for the week.