[I]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's…
![“[I]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's art in the consanguinity principle? After all, what is acting but an exercise in dissimulation? The challenge to actors is to create characters on the stage; and these characters may be very different from what the actors are in real life…” quote by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7b/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2-2017_art_i-s-there-not-something-basically-hostil_1210985.jpg)
““[I]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's art in the consanguinity principle? After all, what is acting but an exercise in dissimulation? The challenge to actors is to create characters on the stage; and these characters may be very different from what the actors are in real life. That indeed is the actor's triumph. The racialist restriction nullifies the talent of directors. The idea that only Swedes can direct Strindberg, only Russians Chekhov, only Irish Sheridan or Shaw, only Englishmen Shakespeare is self-evidently ridiculous--and, if carried out, would hopelessly impoverish the art of the theater. The consanguinity principle is an exclusionary rule that penalizes the very minorities it claims to benefit.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Consanguinity Principle in Theater, 1970
The essay argues that restricting directors by nationality is absurd and harms theater, as talent is not bound by ethnicity.
In simple terms: Limiting directors by nationality hurts art.
Key Takeaway
Support artistic freedom regardless of background.
Themes
art
diversity
inclusion
talent
Mood
analytical
advocacy
thought‑provoking
Type
critical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- casting decisions
- directorial hires
- festival programming
- academic curricula
Key Concepts
nationalism
exclusion
theatrical tradition
Questions to Reflect On
- Should cultural background influence artistic leadership?
- What are the benefits of diverse directing perspectives?
A Different Perspective
Some may claim cultural authenticity matters in directing.