--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger…" description: "\"When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger in Cameron McKintosh's production of 'Oliver!' when it came to Toronto. Just getting the role shocked my whol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/jake-epstein-17289_came_when-i-was-12-i-played-the-artful-dodger_920370.jpg" --- # When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger in Cameron… ![“When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger in Cameron McKintosh's production of 'Oliver!' when it came to Toronto. Just getting the role shocked my whole family, and I don't think I realized until then just how much I loved getting up in front of people and performing.” quote by Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/jake-epstein-17289_came_when-i-was-12-i-played-the-artful-dodger_920370.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/jake-epstein-17289_came_when-i-was-12-i-played-the-artful-dodger_920370.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bb/jake-epstein-17289_came_when-i-was-12-i-played-the-artful-dodger_920370.jpg) > “When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger in Cameron McKintosh's production of 'Oliver!' when it came to Toronto. Just getting the role shocked my whole family, and I don't think I realized until then just how much I loved getting up in front of people and performing.” [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early success revealed a passion for performance and public speaking. **In simple terms:** Finding a love for performing early on. Key Takeaway Pursue opportunities that align with your passions. Themes self‑discovery performance confidence Mood inspired proud Type personal motivational When to use this quote - school plays - community theater - career auditions Key Concepts identity formation public speaking Questions to Reflect On - What does performing mean to you now? - How will you keep growing? A Different Perspective Early achievements can create pressure to maintain success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Whole family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-family/) ## Related quotes > [I have mainly come from a theatre background, I did 'Oliver' here I played the Artful Dodger and I did 'The Sound of Music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-nicholas/i-have-mainly-come-from-a-theatre-background-i-did-oliver-here-i/) [Ben Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-nicholas/) > [In a society like ours, politics is improvisation. To the artful dodger rather than the true believer goes the prize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/in-a-society-like-ours-politics-is-improvisation-to-the-artful-dodger/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The most amazing thing I've ever seen was Jay Johnstone, in uniform, in line at a concession stand in Dodger Stadium after the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-claire/the-most-amazing-thing-i-ve-ever-seen-was-jay-johnstone-in-uniform-in/) Fred Claire > [I was a Yankee fan in Brooklyn because my father was a Yankee fan. And my father was required to live in Brooklyn with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/i-was-a-yankee-fan-in-brooklyn-because-my-father-was-a-yankee-fan-and/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [I've taken my boys to the house I grew up in. Taken them to the site of Ebbets Field, where the Dodgers used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-king/i-ve-taken-my-boys-to-the-house-i-grew-up-in-taken-them-to-the-site/) [Larry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-king/) > [“After all, my young Dodger, what exactly are you? A stalwart young man, plucky and brave and apparently without fear? Or, possibly, I suggest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/after-all-my-young-dodger-what-exactly-are-you-a-stalwart-young-man/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I used to look like an American flag. The Padre uniform makes me look like a taco. Actually, the transition has been great. Ive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-garvey/i-used-to-look-like-an-american-flag-the-padre-uniform-makes-me-look/) [Steve Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-garvey/) > [I grew up a Dodger and got drafted by the Dodgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-kershaw/i-grew-up-a-dodger-and-got-drafted-by-the-dodgers/) [Clayton Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-kershaw/) > [My relationships are based on personal reciprocity. Being a Dodger was a matter of heart, but in the end I felt they didn't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-garvey/my-relationships-are-based-on-personal-reciprocity-being-a-dodger-was/) [Steve Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-garvey/) > [“The man gave Dodger a cursory glance that had quite a lot of curse in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-man-gave-dodger-a-cursory-glance-that-had-quite-a-lot-of-curse-in/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I'll never take for granted the opportunity to put on a Dodger uniform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-kershaw/i-ll-never-take-for-granted-the-opportunity-to-put-on-a-dodger-uniform/) [Clayton Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-kershaw/) > [I'm proud of the fact that I'm the only player to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/i-m-proud-of-the-fact-that-i-m-the-only-player-to-hit-a-ball/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) > [I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I'm going to the big Dodger in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lasorda/i-bleed-dodger-blue-and-when-i-die-i-m-going-to-the-big-dodger-in-the/) [Tommy Lasorda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lasorda/) > [I've definitely been to my fair share of Dodger games growing up. Didn't grow up too far from the stadium. That's where I first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-yelich/i-ve-definitely-been-to-my-fair-share-of-dodger-games-growing-up-didn/) [Christian Yelich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-yelich/) > [I sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium - at a baseball game - which was crazy; there was, like, 60,000 people there, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-sang-the-national-anthem-at-dodger-stadium-at-a-baseball-game-which/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) ## More by Jake Epstein > [I won the family lottery. I come from the best family in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-won-the-family-lottery-i-come-from-the-best-family-in-the-world/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I played the drums, and I was in a band called Funkasaurus Rex in Toronto. When I left for school, it became hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-played-the-drums-and-i-was-in-a-band-called-funkasaurus-rex-in/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > ['Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,' if you go through the lyrics, is such a haunting melody, and the words are, for a pop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/will-you-still-love-me-tomorrow-if-you-go-through-the-lyrics-is-such/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I went to an arts school as a kid. We had to take dance every other day, along with drama, music and visual arts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-went-to-an-arts-school-as-a-kid-we-had-to-take-dance-every-other/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I really think 'Spring Awakening' is unlike any other show. At the end of the day, I hope people are moved by it... whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-really-think-spring-awakening-is-unlike-any-other-show-at-the-end/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I wanted to be a soccer player. And then I wanted to be a rabbi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-wanted-to-be-a-soccer-player-and-then-i-wanted-to-be-a-rabbi/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I grew up reading comics. I was primarily an 'X-Men' fan, but I definitely dressed up as Spider-Man for Halloween when I was, like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-grew-up-reading-comics-i-was-primarily-an-x-men-fan-but-i/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [In Montreal, there is a friend of mine at school who is a jazz pianist with an amazing voice, and we sort of have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/in-montreal-there-is-a-friend-of-mine-at-school-who-is-a-jazz-pianist/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I am definitely someone who needs to take a second by myself and stretch and breathe before a show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-am-definitely-someone-who-needs-to-take-a-second-by-myself-and/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [My dad is a huge folk music fan, so growing up, there were always records playing in my house. Carole King, James Taylor, Simon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/my-dad-is-a-huge-folk-music-fan-so-growing-up-there-were-always/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I am a ordinary teenager. I fall in love like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-am-a-ordinary-teenager-i-fall-in-love-like-everyone-else/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [What's cool about Spider-Man is that it's everybody - anyone, you put on the suit, anyone believes that you're Spider-Man. That's what's charming about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/what-s-cool-about-spider-man-is-that-it-s-everybody-anyone-you-put-on/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [I grew up in Canada and was a huge Spider-Man fan, and never thought of Spider-Man as an American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/i-grew-up-in-canada-and-was-a-huge-spider-man-fan-and-never-thought/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [If I'm ever at a mall or some kind of place where there's a lot of younger girls, some people will recognize me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/if-i-m-ever-at-a-mall-or-some-kind-of-place-where-there-s-a-lot-of/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) > [The kids all literally think I'm Spider-Man, and they ask me how I shoot my webs. It's flattering and crazy, but it's Spider-Man they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/the-kids-all-literally-think-i-m-spider-man-and-they-ask-me-how-i/) [Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) [Explore all 37 Jake Epstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was 12, I played the Artful Dodger in Cameron McKintosh's production of 'Oliver!' when it came to Toronto. 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