My very first professional job was with a theatre company…
“My very first professional job was with a theatre company in 1965 and the first job they gave me was literally shovelling sh*t. I was an assistant stage manager and they told me to clear out the prop store. I opened it up and no-one had been in there for 25 years and it was inches deep in rat sh*t. So before I could get anywhere I had to clear it up. I thought, 'All these years of training, the best drama school in the world, and this is what I'm doing.'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Early career setbacks can feel humiliating but reveal the gap between training and reality, urging humility and perseverance.
In simple terms: Hard work often starts with dirty tasks.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humble beginnings.
Themes
humility
career
learning
resilience
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
anecdotal
motivational
When to use this quote
- theatre work
- stage management
- first jobs
- overcoming disgust
Key Concepts
workplace dynamics
expectation vs. reality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you find value in unpleasant tasks?
- What does this experience teach about expectations?
A Different Perspective
Even after training, real work may be messy and unexpected.