The play is not in the words, it's in you!

The thing that makes you say, “I want to do something” – that is the beginning of talent.

That spark has to be kept alive.

Acting requires a creative and compassionate attitude. It must aim to lift life up to a higher level of meaning and not tear it down or demean it. The actor’s search is a generous quest for that larger meaning. That’s why acting is never to be done passively.

You have to understand your best. Your best isn’t Barrymore’s best or Olivier’s best or my best, but your own. Every person has his norm. And in that norm every person is a star. Olivier could stand on his head and still not be you. Only you can be you. What a privilege! Nobody can reach what you can if you do it. So do it. We need your best, your voice, your body. We don’t need for you to imitate anybody, because that would be second best. And second best is no better than your worst.

The actor must be full of passion. If he’s too cool he’s better off as the manager of a company, not someone who appears on the stage.

The best author is a dead author, because he’s out of your way and you own the play. Take what he has given you and use it for what you need.

By taking elements you observe in life, you can develop qualities in your acting life that you don’t ordinarily call upon in your personal life.

Acting can be the healthiest profession in the world, because it allows you to do things you can’t do in real life. It allows you to understand more than just what life provides you.

Actors need a kind of aggression, a kind of inner force. Don’t be only one-sided, sweet, nice, good. Get rid of being average. Find the killer in you.