--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the performing arts you have to have…" description: "\"In the performing arts you have to have thick, thick, thick skin, because of all the rejection you face on a daily basis, and the fact that work never ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/audra-mcdonald-9650_access_in-the-performing-arts-you-have-to-have_1527339.jpg" --- # In the performing arts you have to have thick, thick… ![“In the performing arts you have to have thick, thick, thick skin, because of all the rejection you face on a daily basis, and the fact that work never lasts for very long. But you need thin, thin, thin skin in order to access all of your emotions and your creativity so that you can express it. You…” quote by Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/audra-mcdonald-9650_access_in-the-performing-arts-you-have-to-have_1527339.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/audra-mcdonald-9650_access_in-the-performing-arts-you-have-to-have_1527339.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/841/audra-mcdonald-9650_access_in-the-performing-arts-you-have-to-have_1527339.jpg) > “In the performing arts you have to have thick, thick, thick skin, because of all the rejection you face on a daily basis, and the fact that work never lasts for very long. But you need thin, thin, thin skin in order to access all of your emotions and your creativity so that you can express it. You can't be dead inside. Otherwise you've got nothing to give. So it's a paradox, that we have to exist in both planes in order to do what we do.” [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists must balance resilience to rejection with emotional openness to stay creative. **In simple terms:** Stay tough yet vulnerable to create. Key Takeaway Embrace both strength and sensitivity. Themes resilience creativity emotional intelligence Mood reflective determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - auditions - daily rehearsals - creative brainstorming - performance reviews Key Concepts paradox dual nature artistic vulnerability Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect your heart while facing constant critique? - What practices keep you emotionally available? A Different Perspective Too much hardness can stifle authenticity; too much softness can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Dead inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-inside/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Performing arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing-arts/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection/) [Thick skin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thick-skin/) ## Related quotes > [“Those hands need these hands and these hands need that skin and that skin needs these lips.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-knott/those-hands-need-these-hands-and-these-hands-need-that-skin-and-that/) [Tyler Knott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-knott/) > [If you are prepared to admit to others and to yourself who you really are, then you can have a fantastic life. Of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conchita-wurst/if-you-are-prepared-to-admit-to-others-and-to-yourself-who-you-really/) [Conchita Wurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conchita-wurst/) > [I have makeup on for such a long time that I need to give my skin a break. And at night, I really get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cl/i-have-makeup-on-for-such-a-long-time-that-i-need-to-give-my-skin-a/) CL > [Being a fabricator is fun, amazing and empowering but you'll need to put on your thick skin to face opposition on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-combs/being-a-fabricator-is-fun-amazing-and-empowering-but-you-ll-need-to/) [Jessi Combs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-combs/) > [I'm British. I don't really have access to my emotions on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-oliver/i-m-british-i-don-t-really-have-access-to-my-emotions-on-a-daily-basis/) [John Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-oliver/) > [“There are two sides to every coin. If you want to experience real emotion, you get the gamut. If you experience a level 8…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-b-truant/there-are-two-sides-to-every-coin-if-you-want-to-experience-real/) [Johnny B. Truant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-b-truant/) > [Like most people raised on American movies, I have poor access to my emotions, but can banter like a motherfucker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-bazell/like-most-people-raised-on-american-movies-i-have-poor-access-to-my/) [Josh Bazell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-bazell/) > [I have to go through that arc with Dolores, and I didn't know what my arc was going to be. We found out episode…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-rachel-wood/i-have-to-go-through-that-arc-with-dolores-and-i-didn-t-know-what-my/) [Evan Rachel Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-rachel-wood/) > [I can access emotions very easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/i-can-access-emotions-very-easily/) [Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/) > [It is a dangerous thing to have instant access to your emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-potter/it-is-a-dangerous-thing-to-have-instant-access-to-your-emotions/) [Dennis Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-potter/) > [Stories can be a jumping-off point to access the emotions and the sensations in the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/stories-can-be-a-jumping-off-point-to-access-the-emotions-and-the/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [When my physicality is involved, it's kind of my comfort zone, so I find it much easier to access emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/when-my-physicality-is-involved-it-s-kind-of-my-comfort-zone-so-i/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I think for a lot of people that are in performing arts, it's easy to fall into the trap of starting to confuse what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-think-for-a-lot-of-people-that-are-in-performing-arts-it-s-easy-to/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I think it comes down to the type of personality that the performing arts seem to attract. And that's outgoing, very sensitive - sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-think-it-comes-down-to-the-type-of-personality-that-the-performing/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I think in the end there is one ultimate goal with all my careers, and that is, as a performing artist, you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-think-in-the-end-there-is-one-ultimate-goal-with-all-my-careers-and/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) ## More by Audra McDonald > [Anytime I get the chance to sing or work with Michael John, it is such an incredibly fertile and incredibly creative and safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/anytime-i-get-the-chance-to-sing-or-work-with-michael-john-it-is-such/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [One thing that is constantly on my iPod is India Arie - I like her a lot; I listen to her a lot. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/one-thing-that-is-constantly-on-my-ipod-is-india-arie-i-like-her-a/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [And I found the theater, and I found my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/and-i-found-the-theater-and-i-found-my-home/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I was a little girl with a pot belly and Afro puffs, hyperactive and overdramatic, and I found the theater and I found my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-was-a-little-girl-with-a-pot-belly-and-afro-puffs-hyperactive-and/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I find that I'm just drawn to anything that's going to challenge me as an actress. So, anything that's going to help me grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-find-that-i-m-just-drawn-to-anything-that-s-going-to-challenge-me/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the camera - that's why I chose to do 'Private Practice.' It's not like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-choose-things-that-challenge-me-i-was-afraid-of-the-camera-that-s/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [When you become a parent, it blows you open in ways that you never thought possible in terms of a level of love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/when-you-become-a-parent-it-blows-you-open-in-ways-that-you-never/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Without theater, I don't think I would have thought I was a smart person or excelled at anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/without-theater-i-don-t-think-i-would-have-thought-i-was-a-smart/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I feel a connection to many songs that I won't sing because I don't think they are right for me! There is something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-feel-a-connection-to-many-songs-that-i-won-t-sing-because-i-don-t/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I've spent my whole career trying to stay out of any box that anyone could put me in. 'I'm going to do a play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-ve-spent-my-whole-career-trying-to-stay-out-of-any-box-that-anyone/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I auditioned for Julliard because I wanted to live in New York, and I wanted to be on Broadway at the time. Julliard seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-auditioned-for-julliard-because-i-wanted-to-live-in-new-york-and-i/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I used to practice Tony speeches in my bathroom with my hairbrush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-used-to-practice-tony-speeches-in-my-bathroom-with-my-hairbrush/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I think in the end there is one ultimate goal with all my careers, and that is, as a performing artist, you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-think-in-the-end-there-is-one-ultimate-goal-with-all-my-careers-and/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [I guess what I know now that I definitely didn't know as a child, is that being truest to yourself is the greatest weapon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/i-guess-what-i-know-now-that-i-definitely-didn-t-know-as-a-child-is/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Every human being has a dream. I think what's special about the American Dream is that it implies, given everything that's happened with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/every-human-being-has-a-dream-i-think-what-s-special-about-the/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) [Explore all 71 Audra McDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) ## More Access quotes > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [You can disseminate your art, and it's all such easy access now. 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I used to watch a lot of Fela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-krule/because-the-internet-s-there-i-have-access-to-a-lot-of-the-legends/) [King Krule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-krule/) > [There needs to be some regime that is overseeing access to broadband to make sure we have openess; otherwise, there is a risk it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/there-needs-to-be-some-regime-that-is-overseeing-access-to-broadband/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [While it's wonderful that investors have access to all the data now available to them, it has become a full-time job to sift through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/while-it-s-wonderful-that-investors-have-access-to-all-the-data-now/) [Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/) > [It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/it-is-truly-vital-for-the-united-states-to-assure-that-it-is-not/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Now that I'm more middle class, I have access to consumer goods. I do enjoy feminine frippery, feminine doo-da, stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-geok-lin-lim/now-that-i-m-more-middle-class-i-have-access-to-consumer-goods-i-do/) [Shirley Geok-lin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-geok-lin-lim/) > [Schools have never been about getting access to information. That's the job of libraries. Schools and universities have nobler missions as gentle gatekeepers. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-nikiforuk/schools-have-never-been-about-getting-access-to-information-that-s/) Andrew Nikiforuk > [To pray is to open the door unto Jesus and admit Him into your distress. 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