--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing I find really special in…" description: "\"The thing I find really special in performance is that there is this slightly mystical thing that takes over when you're responding to a crowd and enga..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/johnny-flynn-8130_alive_the-thing-i-find-really-special-in-perfo_1150864.jpg" --- # The thing I find really special in performance is that… ![“The thing I find really special in performance is that there is this slightly mystical thing that takes over when you're responding to a crowd and engaging in people's imaginations collectively in a room. I've always thought that one of the most incredible things about being alive is going to see…” quote by Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/johnny-flynn-8130_alive_the-thing-i-find-really-special-in-perfo_1150864.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/johnny-flynn-8130_alive_the-thing-i-find-really-special-in-perfo_1150864.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/johnny-flynn-8130_alive_the-thing-i-find-really-special-in-perfo_1150864.jpg) > “The thing I find really special in performance is that there is this slightly mystical thing that takes over when you're responding to a crowd and engaging in people's imaginations collectively in a room. I've always thought that one of the most incredible things about being alive is going to see some kind of performance like that.” [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Performance creates a shared mystical experience that unites audience and performer, amplifying imagination and emotion **In simple terms:** Live performance unites audience and performer in a shared imaginative moment Key Takeaway Embrace the collective energy of live audiences Themes creativity connection imagination Mood enthusiastic inspired Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - theater - concerts - public speaking - rituals Key Concepts collective consciousness flow state Questions to Reflect On - How do you foster connection with a diverse crowd? - What rituals enhance shared imagination? A Different Perspective Not all audiences are receptive; some may feel alienated ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Crowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowd/) [Find](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/find/) [Imaginations Collectively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginations-collectively-3252206/) [People Imaginations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-imaginations-1004967/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Slightly Mystical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slightly-mystical-3252205/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [Special Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-performance-3252204/) ## Related quotes > [I think people's imaginations are being neutered by the amount of access they can get to information just by pressing a button.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-spall/i-think-people-s-imaginations-are-being-neutered-by-the-amount-of/) [Timothy Spall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-spall/) > [There are certain people in our popular culture that just capture people's imaginations. And in death, they become even larger. Now, I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/there-are-certain-people-in-our-popular-culture-that-just-capture/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I'm not trying to be coy or manipulative or Machiavellian, I want to spark people's imaginations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/i-m-not-trying-to-be-coy-or-manipulative-or-machiavellian-i-want-to/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) > [My friend asked me recently, "Do you find it weird that you are now the property of other people's imaginations?" I hadn't thought about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alycia-debnam-carey-2/my-friend-asked-me-recently-do-you-find-it-weird-that-you-are-now-the/) [Alycia Debnam Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alycia-debnam-carey-2/) > [The world is more outlandish than some people’s imaginations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-williams/the-world-is-more-outlandish-than-some-people-s-imaginations/) [Niall Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-williams/) > [I think that it's sexier not to show everything. I feel that people's imaginations can do way more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-love-hewitt/i-think-that-it-s-sexier-not-to-show-everything-i-feel-that-people-s/) [Jennifer Love Hewitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-love-hewitt/) > [“There is nothing behind the curtains of religions, people put there whatever their imaginations can fathom”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/there-is-nothing-behind-the-curtains-of-religions-people-put-there/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [I spent my childhood in an imaginary world - probably because I needed an escape. I think that's one of the reasons people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-lee-jones/i-spent-my-childhood-in-an-imaginary-world-probably-because-i-needed/) [Rickie Lee Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-lee-jones/) > [We want to galvanize people's imaginations. With enough political will and investment, we could make wheelchairs obsolete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-nicolelis/we-want-to-galvanize-people-s-imaginations-with-enough-political-will/) [Miguel Nicolelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-nicolelis/) > [“Guess I imagined being a part of a feeling that could be brought to life in people’s imaginations and eyes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/guess-i-imagined-being-a-part-of-a-feeling-that-could-be-brought-to/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [I think that art has the ability to capture people's imaginations and make them think that more is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepard-fairey/i-think-that-art-has-the-ability-to-capture-people-s-imaginations-and/) [Shepard Fairey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepard-fairey/) > [“you only had to provide part of a lie. You could rely on other people’s imaginations to fill the gaps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/you-only-had-to-provide-part-of-a-lie-you-could-rely-on-other-people/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [One of the great elements of the supernatural is having that mystery and letting people's imaginations run wild with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/one-of-the-great-elements-of-the-supernatural-is-having-that-mystery/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [The image of the robot is very important to us, it's very stimulating to people's imaginations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florian-schneider/the-image-of-the-robot-is-very-important-to-us-it-s-very-stimulating/) [Florian Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florian-schneider/) > [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) ## More by Johnny Flynn > [I like the idea of letting the music do its own work and the stories being more expressionful - if that's a word -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-like-the-idea-of-letting-the-music-do-its-own-work-and-the-stories/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I feel really lucky that I somehow have blagged my way into loads of different experiences. I find making a film fascinating, I find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-feel-really-lucky-that-i-somehow-have-blagged-my-way-into-loads-of/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I did a lot of theater as a young actor in my early twenties, and my first few records really came from writing songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-did-a-lot-of-theater-as-a-young-actor-in-my-early-twenties-and-my/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I have a classical music background. I studied violin and trumpet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-have-a-classical-music-background-i-studied-violin-and-trumpet/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [In my mind, there's usually a fairly definitive kind of narrative when I write. But I don't want to enforce that on other people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/in-my-mind-there-s-usually-a-fairly-definitive-kind-of-narrative-when/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [Bob Dylan has and Einstein had their own way of perceiving the universe and translating it for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/bob-dylan-has-and-einstein-had-their-own-way-of-perceiving-the/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [Our job as actors is to invent the things that bridge ourselves with the characters, so you have to build something if it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/our-job-as-actors-is-to-invent-the-things-that-bridge-ourselves-with/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [My dad was working class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/my-dad-was-working-class/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I take them both seriously - I don't particularly want to be an 'actor-musician.' I want to play the great challenging parts, to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-take-them-both-seriously-i-don-t-particularly-want-to-be-an-actor/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I played trumpet for Noah and the Whale a couple of times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-played-trumpet-for-noah-and-the-whale-a-couple-of-times/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [I try and stay in my right brain as much as I can, but my left takes over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/i-try-and-stay-in-my-right-brain-as-much-as-i-can-but-my-left-takes/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [The truth is there's always a hum of people playing folk music in cities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/the-truth-is-there-s-always-a-hum-of-people-playing-folk-music-in/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [As a jobbing actor or musician, you have to take any work you can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/as-a-jobbing-actor-or-musician-you-have-to-take-any-work-you-can-get/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [The reason I stopped music for a while and concentrated on theatre was that it was more conducive to parenting; having the days free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/the-reason-i-stopped-music-for-a-while-and-concentrated-on-theatre/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) > [Diane Cluck is part of the anti-folk movement in New York. She's got a really haunting voice, and she usually sings in the pentatonic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flynn/diane-cluck-is-part-of-the-anti-folk-movement-in-new-york-she-s-got-a/) [Johnny Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) [Explore all 84 Johnny Flynn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flynn/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The thing I find really special in performance is that there is this slightly mystical thing that takes over when you're responding to a crowd and engaging in people's imaginations collectively in a room. 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