Acting Quote by David Mamet
“At the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, Sanford Meisner said, 'When you go into the professional world, at a stock theatre somewhere, backstage, you will meet an older actor, someone who has been around awhile. He will tell you tales and anecdotes, about life in the theatre. He will speak to you about your performance and the performances of others, and he will generalize to you, based on his experience and his intuitions, about the laws of the stage. Ignore this man!'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Sanford Meisner, date unknown
Experienced actors often give advice based on personal intuition, but it may not apply universally to every performer or production.
In simple terms: Older actors give advice that may not suit everyone.
Key Takeaway
Trust your own instincts over generic advice.
Themes
acting
mentorship
intuition
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
cautionary
When to use this quote
- audition prep
- rehearsal
- career decisions
- directing
- collaboration
Key Concepts
stagecraft
personal experience
learning styles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you discern useful guidance from irrelevant anecdotes?
- When should you rely on personal intuition versus external advice?
A Different Perspective
Advice may be outdated or overly generalized, limiting creative growth.
