My conception of the audience is of a public each member…
“My conception of the audience is of a public each member of which is carrying about with him what he thinks is an anxiety, or a hope, or a preoccupation which is his alone and isolates him from mankind and in this respect at least the function of a play is to reveal him to himself so that he may touch others by virtue of the revelation of his mutuality with them. If only for this reason I regard the theater as a serious business, one that makes or should make man more human, which is to say, less alone.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Theater should mirror individual anxieties, revealing shared humanity and reducing isolation.
In simple terms: Theater shows personal fears to connect people.
Key Takeaway
Use art to reveal common humanity.
Themes
theater
humanity
self‑reflection
connection
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- stage productions
- workshops
- community theater
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does theater help you understand yourself?
- In what ways can shared stories lessen loneliness?
A Different Perspective
Audience may resist confronting personal anxieties.