--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In theater, the primary tool for me was…" description: "\"In theater, the primary tool for me was voice. On-screen, it's the eyes.\" — Jeffrey Wright" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/jeffrey-wright-14855_eyes_in-theater-the-primary-tool-for-me-was-v_2453463.jpg" --- # In theater, the primary tool for me was voice. On-screen… ![“In theater, the primary tool for me was voice. On-screen, it's the eyes.” quote by Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/jeffrey-wright-14855_eyes_in-theater-the-primary-tool-for-me-was-v_2453463.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/jeffrey-wright-14855_eyes_in-theater-the-primary-tool-for-me-was-v_2453463.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/jeffrey-wright-14855_eyes_in-theater-the-primary-tool-for-me-was-v_2453463.jpg) > “In theater, the primary tool for me was voice. On-screen, it's the eyes.” [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The actor emphasizes that different mediums require different expressive tools: voice for stage, eyes for film. **In simple terms:** Stage uses voice; film uses eyes. Key Takeaway Adapt your expression to the medium. Themes art communication performance Mood analytical inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - theater rehearsals - film auditions - directed scenes Key Concepts acting techniques visual storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How do you adjust your performance for different media? - What non‑verbal cues are most powerful on screen? A Different Perspective Relying solely on one tool limits artistic range. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [ ¦ \[I\] recall thinking that the computer would never advance much further than this. Call me naïve, but I seemed to have underestimated the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-recall-thinking-that-the-computer-would-never-advance-much-further/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I like to do theater and hopefully be effective. Most actors, at least contemporary actors of my generation, can't do it. They don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-like-to-do-theater-and-hopefully-be-effective-most-actors-at-least/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Usually in theater, the visual repeats the verbal. The visual dwindles into decoration. But I think with my eyes. For me, the visual is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wilson/usually-in-theater-the-visual-repeats-the-verbal-the-visual-dwindles/) [Robert Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wilson/) > [Here is something no real celebrity will ever tell you: film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/here-is-something-no-real-celebrity-will-ever-tell-you-film-acting-is/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [As a technology, the book is like a hammer. That is to say, it is perfect: a tool ideally suited to its task. Hammers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/as-a-technology-the-book-is-like-a-hammer-that-is-to-say-it-is/) [James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/) > [He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/he-was-a-tool-of-the-boss-without-brains-or-backbone/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/a-special-effect-is-a-tool-a-means-of-telling-a-story-a-special/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Trade policy can be a tool for change and progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/trade-policy-can-be-a-tool-for-change-and-progress/) [Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/) > [Muslim moderates, wherever they are, must be given every tool necessary to win a war of ideas with their co-religionists. Otherwise, we will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/muslim-moderates-wherever-they-are-must-be-given-every-tool-necessary/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [As a filmmaker, every tool you get to tell the scene better is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mani-ratnam/as-a-filmmaker-every-tool-you-get-to-tell-the-scene-better-is/) [Mani Ratnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mani-ratnam/) > [Performance capture is a tool that young actors will need in the next 10, 20 years. It's on the increase, as you say. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/performance-capture-is-a-tool-that-young-actors-will-need-in-the-next/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [I believe that inside every tool is a hammer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-savage/i-believe-that-inside-every-tool-is-a-hammer/) [Adam Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-savage/) > [A catechism is simply a tool for teaching the fundamentals of the faith. Unlike a creed or confession, a catechism uses questions and answers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/a-catechism-is-simply-a-tool-for-teaching-the-fundamentals-of-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Failure is a tool that life uses to weed out thosewho do not truly deserve success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/failure-is-a-tool-that-life-uses-to-weed-out-thosewho-do-not-truly/) Senoraroy > [Reclassification is the best way to for us to preserve the Internet as an unfettered tool for communication and the sharing of ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-schumer/reclassification-is-the-best-way-to-for-us-to-preserve-the-internet/) [Chuck Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-schumer/) ## More by Jeffrey Wright > [The line between being a nurturing parent and an over-bearing, damaging parent is one that's very delicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/the-line-between-being-a-nurturing-parent-and-an-over-bearing/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [For me, an actor is a person who makes characters like a cobbler makes shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/for-me-an-actor-is-a-person-who-makes-characters-like-a-cobbler-makes/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Having been born and raised in Washington, D.C., you kind of absorb politics when you grow up. And it continues to be a focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/having-been-born-and-raised-in-washington-d-c-you-kind-of-absorb/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I do a little Reddit, yeah! I pop in every now and again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-do-a-little-reddit-yeah-i-pop-in-every-now-and-again/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I like to do theater and hopefully be effective. Most actors, at least contemporary actors of my generation, can't do it. They don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-like-to-do-theater-and-hopefully-be-effective-most-actors-at-least/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I find that the work I do as an actor that's most challenging commands an athleticism or, certainly, a physicality. And also a rigor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-find-that-the-work-i-do-as-an-actor-that-s-most-challenging/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I do have characters who are more well known than I am, which suits me fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-do-have-characters-who-are-more-well-known-than-i-am-which-suits-me/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Some of my earliest heroes were congresswomen like Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/some-of-my-earliest-heroes-were-congresswomen-like-shirley-chisholm/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I started acting when I was at Amherst my junior year, and my lacrosse career kind of started to flop sideways after that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-started-acting-when-i-was-at-amherst-my-junior-year-and-my-lacrosse/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I like New York because you're kind of forced to smell everybody else's funk. So it keeps you biologically attached to the world around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-like-new-york-because-you-re-kind-of-forced-to-smell-everybody-else/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I'm gonna be on the Hawaiian beaches when I'm old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-m-gonna-be-on-the-hawaiian-beaches-when-i-m-old/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [New York is the greatest character actor ever. Any film that is shot in New York is elevated by the city.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/new-york-is-the-greatest-character-actor-ever-any-film-that-is-shot/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [I'm not sure whether Los Angeles borders on the ocean or on oblivion. I always feel that I'm two steps away from the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/i-m-not-sure-whether-los-angeles-borders-on-the-ocean-or-on-oblivion/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Some musicians play blues, others classical jazz or bluegrass. I like to play political roles because I can merge my political interests with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/some-musicians-play-blues-others-classical-jazz-or-bluegrass-i-like/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Shaft was a pop culture figure along t he lines of, I guess, Dirty Harry - except that he wasn't as much of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/shaft-was-a-pop-culture-figure-along-t-he-lines-of-i-guess-dirty/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) [Explore all 45 Jeffrey Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) ## More Eyes quotes > [My father longed for a better life for us, and when I was nine he got a job as a heart surgeon in Belfast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-melua/my-father-longed-for-a-better-life-for-us-and-when-i-was-nine-he-got/) [Katie Melua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-melua/) > [When I was a teen, I would draw a really, really long line around my eyes with eyeliner, like Lola Flores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia/when-i-was-a-teen-i-would-draw-a-really-really-long-line-around-my/) [Rosalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia/) > [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) > [Human beings should stick together. Honestly, if I see a red-haired person with blue eyes now, I say, 'Is your granny black?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/human-beings-should-stick-together-honestly-if-i-see-a-red-haired/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [When I see things through my eyes, I don't want to ever just be really negative towards someone's performance. There are many ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/when-i-see-things-through-my-eyes-i-don-t-want-to-ever-just-be-really/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [My only trick to having wing liner sharp enough to cut is be careful and take your time! I have hooded eyes, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-charles/my-only-trick-to-having-wing-liner-sharp-enough-to-cut-is-be-careful/) [James Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-charles/) > [“I fell in love with your eyes first because I looked into their depths and saw the other half of my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/i-fell-in-love-with-your-eyes-first-because-i-looked-into-their/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [I think, reading about yourself through somebody else's eyes, you're always going to have your own story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/i-think-reading-about-yourself-through-somebody-else-s-eyes-you-re/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [Evertime I close my eyes it doesnt matter where, I always see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/evertime-i-close-my-eyes-it-doesnt-matter-where-i-always-see-you/) Patience > [Look with all your eyes, look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/look-with-all-your-eyes-look/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [It's not your mistake if you cant read the eyes which cheats you. But it's really your mistake if you cant read the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-mbululo/it-s-not-your-mistake-if-you-cant-read-the-eyes-which-cheats-you-but/) [Ally Mbululo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-mbululo/) > [Kiss me with your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/kiss-me-with-your-eyes/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) [Browse all 3,942 Eyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In theater, the primary tool for me was voice. 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