--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It just happened that we did [Fences]…" description: "\"It just happened that we did [Fences] seven years ago on Broadway. Scott Rudin brought me August Wilson's original screenplay for it, and I realized I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/denzel-washington-1345_august_it-just-happened-that-we-did-fences-seve_1828104.jpg" --- # It just happened that we did \[Fences\] seven years ago on… ![“It just happened that we did [Fences] seven years ago on Broadway. Scott Rudin brought me August Wilson's original screenplay for it, and I realized I hadn't read the play. So I read it. Then I realized that Troy (my character) was 53 - and I was 55 at the time. I realized I better hurry up! I…” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/denzel-washington-1345_august_it-just-happened-that-we-did-fences-seve_1828104.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/denzel-washington-1345_august_it-just-happened-that-we-did-fences-seve_1828104.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/denzel-washington-1345_august_it-just-happened-that-we-did-fences-seve_1828104.jpg) > “It just happened that we did \[Fences\] seven years ago on Broadway. Scott Rudin brought me August Wilson's original screenplay for it, and I realized I hadn't read the play. So I read it. Then I realized that Troy (my character) was 53 - and I was 55 at the time. I realized I better hurry up! I might be too old!” [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He realized his character's age matched his own, prompting urgency to perform before aging further. **In simple terms:** Age awareness spurs urgency in artistic work. Key Takeaway Act now before age limits opportunities. Themes art age urgency Mood thoughtful motivational Type career personal development When to use this quote - theatre casting - career planning - personal health Key Concepts self‑reflection career timing mortality Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to stay relevant? - How does self‑awareness affect career choices? A Different Perspective Age is not the only factor limiting performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [August](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/august/) [Broadway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadway/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fences/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Screenplays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplays/) ## Related quotes > [I was first introduced to August Wilson in the 80s when Charles Dutton did Ma Rainey and James Earl Jones and Courtney Vance did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-was-first-introduced-to-august-wilson-in-the-80s-when-charles/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ In 2009, Scott Rudin sent me August's \[Wilson\] original screenplay \[Fences\] and asked me what I wanted to do with it. He wanted to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/in-2009-scott-rudin-sent-me-august-s-wilson-original-screenplay/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ We just had to stay out-of-the-way \[in Fences\]. \[August Wilson\] already wrote a masterpiece. And you really don't know how it's going to work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-just-had-to-stay-out-of-the-way-in-fences-august-wilson-already/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I did 'Fences' off-broadway at the Beacon Theater, so it's amazing that Denzel Washington and Viola Davis brought it to Broadway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/i-did-fences-off-broadway-at-the-beacon-theater-so-it-s-amazing-that/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) > [“Like you? I go out of here every morning… bust my butt…putting up with them crackers everyday…cause I like you? You about the biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/like-you-i-go-out-of-here-every-morning-bust-my-butt-putting-up-with/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [When I came to New York, to Brooklyn, I met Alvin Ailey and Stanley Crouch and August Wilson. They were always putting things in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/when-i-came-to-new-york-to-brooklyn-i-met-alvin-ailey-and-stanley/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [I'll never be August Wilson - but what I can be is more of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katori-hall/i-ll-never-be-august-wilson-but-what-i-can-be-is-more-of-myself/) [Katori Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katori-hall/) > [I grew up when one of America's greatest black playwrights, August Wilson, was writing about life in Pittsburgh, but I never saw myself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-porter/i-grew-up-when-one-of-america-s-greatest-black-playwrights-august/) [Billy Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-porter/) > [What I learned as an actor was the only way you could really do August Wilson's work, you had to leave an ounce of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-s-dutton/what-i-learned-as-an-actor-was-the-only-way-you-could-really-do/) [Charles S. Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-s-dutton/) > [There's no reason why you can't say "August Wilson, playwright" even though all of my work, every single play, is about black Americans, about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/there-s-no-reason-why-you-can-t-say-august-wilson-playwright-even/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [African-Americans are always forced to learn the other culture, but the other culture is not forced to learn ours. I went to acting school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracie-thoms/african-americans-are-always-forced-to-learn-the-other-culture-but/) [Tracie Thoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracie-thoms/) > [ August \[Wilson\] elevates in us is the average man in a way that is heroic and real and human. What you do is you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/august-wilson-elevates-in-us-is-the-average-man-in-a-way-that-is/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [American naturalism is what my indulgent actor side loves: a bit of Tennessee Williams, a bit of Clifford Odets, August Wilson - I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-clarke/american-naturalism-is-what-my-indulgent-actor-side-loves-a-bit-of/) [Emilia Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-clarke/) > [I studied acting in NYU's graduate program, in which we covered everything from Ibsen and Chekov to August Wilson and David Mamet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/i-studied-acting-in-nyu-s-graduate-program-in-which-we-covered/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) > [ I read that Hollywood wanted to film Fences years ago with a white director, but \[August\] Wilson refused. He thought that the director needed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/i-read-that-hollywood-wanted-to-film-fences-years-ago-with-a-white/) [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) ## More by Denzel Washington > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/my-father-was-a-minister-for-50-years-with-pentecostal-church-of-god/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Family is life; acting is making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/family-is-life-acting-is-making-a-living/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Talent comes from God. If you have been given some, then value it, cultivate it, work and develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/talent-comes-from-god-if-you-have-been-given-some-then-value-it/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ I'll be working with Ridley's \[Scott\] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. I trust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ll-be-working-with-ridley-s-scott-brother-tony-again-someone-who/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-years-i-m-an-exception-to-the/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-very-proud-to-be-black-but-black-is-not-all-i-am-that-s-my/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [We'll all retire from life at some point. The great thing about acting is you don't necessarily have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-ll-all-retire-from-life-at-some-point-the-great-thing-about-acting/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [It's strictly business. If I loan you $25 million, I want my money back. I don't want to hear about the social impact. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/it-s-strictly-business-if-i-loan-you-25-million-i-want-my-money-back/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/if-you-have-an-enemy-then-learn-and-know-your-enemy-don-t-just-be-mad/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“He taught us that everyone has a good story and the more of others you understand, the better your grasp of human nature, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/he-taught-us-that-everyone-has-a-good-story-and-the-more-of-others/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Religion to me is when man gets ahold of spirituality: "My god is right, yours is wrong." Religion to me is the human condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/religion-to-me-is-when-man-gets-ahold-of-spirituality-my-god-is-right/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-award-i-d-been-to-the-party-enough-times/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ve-just-directed-a-film-called-the-great-debaters-which-is-inspired/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) [Explore all 253 Denzel Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## More August quotes > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [Meanwhile after failing the bar twice, I knew some people in New York and moved here in August '71.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-quine/meanwhile-after-failing-the-bar-twice-i-knew-some-people-in-new-york/) [Robert Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-quine/) > [I had the advantage, that I know Swedish. So I had the Swedish book and I had a lot of English translations, and German…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-ullmann/i-had-the-advantage-that-i-know-swedish-so-i-had-the-swedish-book-and/) [Liv Ullmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-ullmann/) > [I love the little garden in the back of my family's brownstone in Brooklyn. Digging out there in the dirt is a joy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/i-love-the-little-garden-in-the-back-of-my-family-s-brownstone-in/) [Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/) > [I can see that I imagine all kinds of rejection that never happens. I can see that I beg and plead for love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-can-see-that-i-imagine-all-kinds-of-rejection-that-never-happens-i/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [August depresses me a little. I don't even feel like eating. And when I don't eat, that's a sure sign of stagnation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-scott/august-depresses-me-a-little-i-don-t-even-feel-like-eating-and-when-i/) [Willard Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-scott/) > [August, the summer's last messenger of misery, is a hollow actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/august-the-summer-s-last-messenger-of-misery-is-a-hollow-actor/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [ It \[August 10th 1792\] was the bloodiest day of the Revolution so far, but also one of the most decisive. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-doyle/it-august-10th-1792-was-the-bloodiest-day-of-the-revolution-so-far/) William Doyle > [How sociable the garden was. We ate and talked in given light. The children put their toys to grass All the warm wakeful August…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-gunn/how-sociable-the-garden-was-we-ate-and-talked-in-given-light-the/) [Thom Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-gunn/) > [It's August, which means Congress is on recess and Mitch McConnell has shimmied back into the ocean to seek a mate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/it-s-august-which-means-congress-is-on-recess-and-mitch-mcconnell-has/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I studied acting in NYU's graduate program, in which we covered everything from Ibsen and Chekov to August Wilson and David Mamet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/i-studied-acting-in-nyu-s-graduate-program-in-which-we-covered/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) > [There could be oil coming up until August.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-browner/there-could-be-oil-coming-up-until-august/) [Carol Browner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-browner/) > [The 6th of August in the morning we saw an opening in the land and we ran into it, and anchored in 7 and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dampier/the-6th-of-august-in-the-morning-we-saw-an-opening-in-the-land-and-we/) [William Dampier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dampier/) > [August creates as she slumbers, replete and satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/august-creates-as-she-slumbers-replete-and-satisfied/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [I left for Petersburg in August, 1871 and stayed there until 1879.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-spitteler/i-left-for-petersburg-in-august-1871-and-stayed-there-until-1879/) Carl Spitteler [Browse all 448 August quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/august/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It just happened that we did [Fences] seven years ago on Broadway. 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