--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm very aware that when one is acting in…" description: "\"I'm very aware that when one is acting in the theater, you do become kind of animal about it. And you're reliant on instincts rather than tact a lot of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/alan-rickman-4156_acting_i-m-very-aware-that-when-one-is-acting-i_697469.jpg" --- # I'm very aware that when one is acting in the theater, you… ![“I'm very aware that when one is acting in the theater, you do become kind of animal about it. And you're reliant on instincts rather than tact a lot of the time.” quote by Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/alan-rickman-4156_acting_i-m-very-aware-that-when-one-is-acting-i_697469.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/alan-rickman-4156_acting_i-m-very-aware-that-when-one-is-acting-i_697469.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/alan-rickman-4156_acting_i-m-very-aware-that-when-one-is-acting-i_697469.jpg) > “I'm very aware that when one is acting in the theater, you do become kind of animal about it. And you're reliant on instincts rather than tact a lot of the time.” [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting taps primal instincts, making performers behave like animals on stage. **In simple terms:** Acting awakens animal instincts. Key Takeaway Channel instinct in performance. Themes theater instinct performance Mood introspective dramatic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stagecraft - creative expression - emotional authenticity Key Concepts psychology method acting Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance instinct and craft? - What animal traits aid acting? A Different Perspective Reliance on instinct can clash with disciplined technique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Tact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tact/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [My parents certainly didn't have anything to do with the theater. I'm some kind of accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/my-parents-certainly-didn-t-have-anything-to-do-with-the-theater-i-m/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Good acting should be invisible. You shouldn't be aware of the acting. It should feel real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-white/good-acting-should-be-invisible-you-shouldn-t-be-aware-of-the-acting/) [Susanna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-white/) > [Theatrically, you are aware of every part of you in acting; every component of your surroundings, including the clothes you wear. Eh...in voiceover, shorts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atticus-shaffer/theatrically-you-are-aware-of-every-part-of-you-in-acting-every/) [Atticus Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atticus-shaffer/) > [I was not even aware that I had acting talent when I started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arshad-warsi/i-was-not-even-aware-that-i-had-acting-talent-when-i-started/) [Arshad Warsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arshad-warsi/) > [I want to expand what I do and definitely focus a little more in the acting, theater world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-la-anthony/i-want-to-expand-what-i-do-and-definitely-focus-a-little-more-in-the/) [La La Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-la-anthony/) > [I went to school for acting. I am from the theater, darling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-the-drag-queen/i-went-to-school-for-acting-i-am-from-the-theater-darling/) [Bob the Drag Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-the-drag-queen/) > [That theater community that comes with acting and being in the theater is second nature to me. It's in my blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-cephas-jones/that-theater-community-that-comes-with-acting-and-being-in-the/) [Jasmine Cephas Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-cephas-jones/) > [The terrible thing about acting in the theater is that you have to do it at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/the-terrible-thing-about-acting-in-the-theater-is-that-you-have-to-do/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [I really prefer acting in the theater the most. In some ways TV is closer to that because there's more of a regularity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-louise-parker/i-really-prefer-acting-in-the-theater-the-most-in-some-ways-tv-is/) [Mary-Louise Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-louise-parker/) > [I've been acting for a while, but theater is pretty different. I've never been in a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-cosgrove/i-ve-been-acting-for-a-while-but-theater-is-pretty-different-i-ve/) [Miranda Cosgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-cosgrove/) > [I love acting in the theater,but I'm fascinated with acting on film. If it's a film or a play or whatever, if the writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/i-love-acting-in-the-theater-but-i-m-fascinated-with-acting-on-film/) [Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/) > [I converted a family-owned strip club into an improvisational acting theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/i-converted-a-family-owned-strip-club-into-an-improvisational-acting/) [Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/) > [Frankly speaking, I feel anyone who starts acting, be it in theater, TV, or even advertisements, is looking at Bollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiten-tejwani/frankly-speaking-i-feel-anyone-who-starts-acting-be-it-in-theater-tv/) [Hiten Tejwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiten-tejwani/) > [I went to theater school in France, and when I finished I thought I would never go back to acting again. I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomas-lemarquis/i-went-to-theater-school-in-france-and-when-i-finished-i-thought-i/) Tomas Lemarquis > [Everything has combined to make my life in New York an amazing experience. I told my manager a few years ago that I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/everything-has-combined-to-make-my-life-in-new-york-an-amazing/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) ## More by Alan Rickman > [Every so often you read a play and a character just speaks to you - almost seems to speak through you, in fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/every-so-often-you-read-a-play-and-a-character-just-speaks-to-you/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [My definition of palatable might be slightly different from yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/my-definition-of-palatable-might-be-slightly-different-from-yours/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Three children have become adults since a phone call with Jo Rowling, containing one small clue, persuaded me that there was more to Snape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/three-children-have-become-adults-since-a-phone-call-with-jo-rowling/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I do feel more myself in America. I can regress there, and they have roller-coaster parks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-do-feel-more-myself-in-america-i-can-regress-there-and-they-have/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I have a love-hate relationship with white silk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-have-a-love-hate-relationship-with-white-silk/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Unless we tell stories about ourselves, which is all that theater is, we're in deep trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/unless-we-tell-stories-about-ourselves-which-is-all-that-theater-is/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I was 7, and I remember being given a part in a play and thinking, This is exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-was-7-and-i-remember-being-given-a-part-in-a-play-and-thinking-this/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [The difference between being an actor and a director is simple. The director has to hide his panic; the actor doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/the-difference-between-being-an-actor-and-a-director-is-simple-the/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Do you know that moment when you paint a landscape as a child and, when you’re maybe under seven or something, the sky is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/do-you-know-that-moment-when-you-paint-a-landscape-as-a-child-and/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Who I am gets in the way of people looking innocently at the parts I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/who-i-am-gets-in-the-way-of-people-looking-innocently-at-the-parts-i/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I don't think it's right that everybody knows everything about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-don-t-think-it-s-right-that-everybody-knows-everything-about-me/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [One thing I will say - my job gets harder and harder. The more you understand about what you are capable of, the less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/one-thing-i-will-say-my-job-gets-harder-and-harder-the-more-you/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [On the screen were some flashback shots of Daniel, Emma and Rupert from ten years ago. They were 12. I have also recently returned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/on-the-screen-were-some-flashback-shots-of-daniel-emma-and-rupert/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I was coming from a very cerebral, dark, difficult, layered play by Christopher Hampton and doing an action movie in Hollywood (Die Hard) with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-was-coming-from-a-very-cerebral-dark-difficult-layered-play-by/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [I don't play villains, I play very interesting people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-don-t-play-villains-i-play-very-interesting-people/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) [Explore all 115 Alan Rickman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm very aware that when one is acting in the theater, you do become kind of animal about it. 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