--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best decision I made at NYU was…" description: "\"The best decision I made at NYU was joining the Shakespeare ensemble. It literally led to everything I did after that. It gave me the kind of confidenc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/jesse-l-martin-20137_after_the-best-decision-i-made-at-nyu-was-join_657378.jpg" --- # The best decision I made at NYU was joining the… ![“The best decision I made at NYU was joining the Shakespeare ensemble. It literally led to everything I did after that. It gave me the kind of confidence I really needed.” quote by Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/jesse-l-martin-20137_after_the-best-decision-i-made-at-nyu-was-join_657378.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/jesse-l-martin-20137_after_the-best-decision-i-made-at-nyu-was-join_657378.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/jesse-l-martin-20137_after_the-best-decision-i-made-at-nyu-was-join_657378.jpg) > “The best decision I made at NYU was joining the Shakespeare ensemble. It literally led to everything I did after that. It gave me the kind of confidence I really needed.” [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Joining a Shakespeare group built confidence and opened future opportunities. **In simple terms:** Shakespeare ensemble boosted confidence and career. Key Takeaway Engage in challenging artistic communities. Themes confidence career artistic growth Mood hopeful reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - theatre - public speaking - team projects - personal branding Key Concepts networking skill development Questions to Reflect On - What community can you join now? - How does artistic risk affect confidence? A Different Perspective Not all groups yield the same impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) ## Related quotes > [I had studied at the NYU School of the Arts under Lloyd Richards, who also worked with the Negro Ensemble Company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-duke/i-had-studied-at-the-nyu-school-of-the-arts-under-lloyd-richards-who/) [Bill Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-duke/) > [I went to drama school at NYU for serious acting. So I was doing Chekov and Sam Shepard plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/i-went-to-drama-school-at-nyu-for-serious-acting-so-i-was-doing/) [Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/) > [I figured out that I was interested in acting while at NYU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-bledel/i-figured-out-that-i-was-interested-in-acting-while-at-nyu/) [Alexis Bledel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-bledel/) > [I definitely appreciated '60s music. My uncle and I used to take long road trips to visit my grandmother when I was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-schroeder/i-definitely-appreciated-60s-music-my-uncle-and-i-used-to-take-long/) [Erica Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-schroeder/) > [Once I graduated from NYU, I started making custom vintage tees for my friends and it just took off from there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-ronson/once-i-graduated-from-nyu-i-started-making-custom-vintage-tees-for-my/) [Charlotte Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-ronson/) > [I haven't smoked marijuana since I was at NYU,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-haven-t-smoked-marijuana-since-i-was-at-nyu/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [I went to the University of Toronto to study the history and theory of film, in the back of my mind thinking I'd go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rachman/i-went-to-the-university-of-toronto-to-study-the-history-and-theory/) [Tom Rachman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rachman/) > [First I went to C.W. Post and I was a psychology and theater major and then I transferred to NYU's Tisch School of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/first-i-went-to-c-w-post-and-i-was-a-psychology-and-theater-major-and/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [I went to the Experimental Theater Wing at NYU and wrote and directed a small amount of stuff there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-joel-osment/i-went-to-the-experimental-theater-wing-at-nyu-and-wrote-and-directed/) [Haley Joel Osment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-joel-osment/) > [My mom graduated from the University of Michigan, which is a great school. Then she got her Master's from NYU. She wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/my-mom-graduated-from-the-university-of-michigan-which-is-a-great/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [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 remember that when I got to NYU, everyone was writing scripts. But I was 18 at the time, and when you write a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-phillips/i-remember-that-when-i-got-to-nyu-everyone-was-writing-scripts-but-i/) [Todd Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-phillips/) > [I was teaching magic at NYU when I was 16.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-was-teaching-magic-at-nyu-when-i-was-16/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [ I went to NYU graduate film school and met Pam \[Romanowsky\], and after doing a few things with her I thought she had the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franco/i-went-to-nyu-graduate-film-school-and-met-pam-romanowsky-and-after/) [James Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franco/) > [I was a full time student either at Stony Brook or NYU getting my masters degree. After I graduated with my masters I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-algieri/i-was-a-full-time-student-either-at-stony-brook-or-nyu-getting-my/) [Chris Algieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-algieri/) ## More by Jesse L. Martin > [If I get the chance to be philanthropic, I want to help kids and teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/if-i-get-the-chance-to-be-philanthropic-i-want-to-help-kids-and/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [We want to start a 'Flash' band. Everyone can play an instrument and sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/we-want-to-start-a-flash-band-everyone-can-play-an-instrument-and-sing/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I want to be remembered as a great actor - and a shining example of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-want-to-be-remembered-as-a-great-actor-and-a-shining-example-of/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [On TV, you never know where it's going. They may even lie to you about where it's going. You never really know because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/on-tv-you-never-know-where-it-s-going-they-may-even-lie-to-you-about/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I was in 'Rent,' for God's sake. The closest we came to stunts was dancing on a table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-was-in-rent-for-god-s-sake-the-closest-we-came-to-stunts-was/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [My biggest break wasn't 'Rent;' it was the first job that ever paid me. I couldn't believe that they were paying me all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/my-biggest-break-wasn-t-rent-it-was-the-first-job-that-ever-paid-me-i/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [Go back to what's good, what's certain, what's always there. You woke up today. Just start walking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/go-back-to-what-s-good-what-s-certain-what-s-always-there-you-woke-up/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [Real men know how to listen, and real men know how to be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/real-men-know-how-to-listen-and-real-men-know-how-to-be-honest/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [Women do come up to me, and they tell me what they think! I've gotten great compliments on my eyes and my smile. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/women-do-come-up-to-me-and-they-tell-me-what-they-think-i-ve-gotten/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > ['Law & Order' was amazing but so consuming, I couldn't get to the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/law-order-was-amazing-but-so-consuming-i-couldn-t-get-to-the-stage/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I honestly believe there are good things happening in this world, and I'll spend most of my time trying to find them and bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-honestly-believe-there-are-good-things-happening-in-this-world-and/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I did end up becoming a drawer, a sketcher and a painter because of comic books, but I didn't read them. Not at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-did-end-up-becoming-a-drawer-a-sketcher-and-a-painter-because-of/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I think I might want to get into development, as in developing my own sort of piece, whether it be for the stage or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-think-i-might-want-to-get-into-development-as-in-developing-my-own/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [This world is not one color or culture. Everybody has a story. To tell that story or see that story reflected through art is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/this-world-is-not-one-color-or-culture-everybody-has-a-story-to-tell/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) > [I didn't read comic books, growing up. I was more of a science fiction/fantasy novel guy. I loved reading Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'Tarzan' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-l-martin/i-didn-t-read-comic-books-growing-up-i-was-more-of-a-science-fiction/) [Jesse L. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) [Explore all 31 Jesse L. Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-l-martin/) ## More After quotes > [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/) [Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [I was strictly after hits when it came down to the Jackson 5. That's all I was concerned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deke-richards/i-was-strictly-after-hits-when-it-came-down-to-the-jackson-5-that-s/) Deke Richards > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) > [After I finished college, I got a job on Wall Street as a derivatives trader, but after a couple years of it, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/after-i-finished-college-i-got-a-job-on-wall-street-as-a-derivatives/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [Markets are designed to allow individuals to look after their private needs and to pursue profit. It's really a great invention and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/markets-are-designed-to-allow-individuals-to-look-after-their-private/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [I have a lot of success and make a good living, but after while, you start going 'Why? Why are you doing all this?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/i-have-a-lot-of-success-and-make-a-good-living-but-after-while-you/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/see-to-do-good-and-you-will-find-that-happiness-will-run-after-you/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [I went to school at night in L.A. to brush up on my engineering while I applied to the astronaut program. I really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-went-to-school-at-night-in-l-a-to-brush-up-on-my-engineering-while/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [After The Wizard Of Oz I was typecast as a lion, and there aren't all that many parts for lions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-lahr/after-the-wizard-of-oz-i-was-typecast-as-a-lion-and-there-aren-t-all/) Bert Lahr > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I'd like an omelet named after me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-sewell/i-d-like-an-omelet-named-after-me/) [Rufus Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-sewell/) Browse all 3,411 After quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The best decision I made at NYU was joining the Shakespeare ensemble. It literally led to everything I did after that. It gave me the kind of confidence I really needed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesse L. 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