--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing that I enjoy about being an…" description: "\"The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing that I enjoy about the arts in general is the ability to make the audience feel an emotion th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png" --- # The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing… ![“The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing that I enjoy about the arts in general is the ability to make the audience feel an emotion that they weren't intending to feel before they went in.” quote by Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png) > “The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing that I enjoy about the arts in general is the ability to make the audience feel an emotion that they weren't intending to feel before they went in.” [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors aim to evoke unexpected emotions, creating a shared experience that transcends the audience’s original expectations. **In simple terms:** Actors make audiences feel new emotions. Key Takeaway Use performance to surprise and move viewers. Themes art emotion audience surprise connection Mood inspired thoughtful reflective Type philosophical motivational insightful When to use this quote - theater - film - live performance - rehearsal - audience reaction Key Concepts acting empathy psychology storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can an actor anticipate audience reactions? - What techniques deepen emotional impact? A Different Perspective Audience may resist or misinterpret intended feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [If you're not educated to enjoy the arts, if you're not taken to a concert, or you don't hear something beautiful, you don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/if-you-re-not-educated-to-enjoy-the-arts-if-you-re-not-taken-to-a/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [We are not simply intellectual creatures. We wish to make love, to enjoy a gourmet dinner, to jog in the park, to cheer lustily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/we-are-not-simply-intellectual-creatures-we-wish-to-make-love-to/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [A civilised society ought to make ample provision for everyone, no matter their background, to enjoy the arts and culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munira-mirza/a-civilised-society-ought-to-make-ample-provision-for-everyone-no/) [Munira Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munira-mirza/) > [I enjoy being an actor largely; in part at least, because you get to walk a mile in another person's shoes, you get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiklis/i-enjoy-being-an-actor-largely-in-part-at-least-because-you-get-to/) [Michael Chiklis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiklis/) > [I know that I am one and I've made a living as an actor and I enjoy being an actor, but when I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/i-know-that-i-am-one-and-i-ve-made-a-living-as-an-actor-and-i-enjoy/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [If one of my friends said they'd written a little role for me in a sitcom, I'd definitely do it and I'd enjoy it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-widdicombe/if-one-of-my-friends-said-they-d-written-a-little-role-for-me-in-a/) [Josh Widdicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-widdicombe/) > [I hate to give myself credit for anything, but I will say I really enjoy, as an actor, and especially with comedy stuff, playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-greenfield/i-hate-to-give-myself-credit-for-anything-but-i-will-say-i-really/) [Max Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-greenfield/) > [I really enjoy being an actor!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-cassel/i-really-enjoy-being-an-actor/) [Vincent Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-cassel/) > [I don't put the pressure on myself to be a very successful movie star. I want to enjoy being an actor and I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thandie-newton/i-don-t-put-the-pressure-on-myself-to-be-a-very-successful-movie-star/) [Thandie Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thandie-newton/) > [I know it might seem a little superficial, but every actor has their thing. Some people focus on the walk, but for me, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-zea/i-know-it-might-seem-a-little-superficial-but-every-actor-has-their/) [Natalie Zea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-zea/) > [Sometimes I'm doing a big movie, or sometimes I'm doing a TV show, but as an actor, it's almost the same thing for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroyuki-sanada/sometimes-i-m-doing-a-big-movie-or-sometimes-i-m-doing-a-tv-show-but/) [Hiroyuki Sanada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroyuki-sanada/) > [If you put me in a box, I'm a character actor. The thing that keeps popping up for me - it sounds really cliche…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-rankin/if-you-put-me-in-a-box-i-m-a-character-actor-the-thing-that-keeps/) [Gayle Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-rankin/) > [It's one thing to have forced time off as an actor, and another thing when you actually say, 'I don't want to read anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-dern/it-s-one-thing-to-have-forced-time-off-as-an-actor-and-another-thing/) [Laura Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-dern/) > [As an actor, the first thing you learn in drama school is you never judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-clarke/as-an-actor-the-first-thing-you-learn-in-drama-school-is-you-never/) [Jason Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-clarke/) > [If the director's a communist, whatever, he's a communist. All I care is that he directs. For the actor, the same thing. All you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/if-the-director-s-a-communist-whatever-he-s-a-communist-all-i-care-is/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) ## More by Kal Penn > [I was in a small office on the second floor of the West Wing with eight other staffers. We'd worked our hearts out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/i-was-in-a-small-office-on-the-second-floor-of-the-west-wing-with/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Five minutes later, President Obama walked in, sleeves rolled up. He said to us, 'This is not over. We're gonna keep fighting. I'm gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/five-minutes-later-president-obama-walked-in-sleeves-rolled-up-he/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Lady crossing the street, not paying attention, almost got hit. Turns to husband & screams, 'Why didn't YOU watch where I was going?!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/lady-crossing-the-street-not-paying-attention-almost-got-hit-turns-to/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [We should have a badass secret handshake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/we-should-have-a-badass-secret-handshake/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [It's so nice out I imagine this is when rich people go sailing and eat cheese and shit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/it-s-so-nice-out-i-imagine-this-is-when-rich-people-go-sailing-and/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [A few months later, President Obama fought to keep taxes from going up on middle-class families. Our Republican friends said, Sure you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/a-few-months-later-president-obama-fought-to-keep-taxes-from-going-up/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Now, President Obama paid off his own student loans not too long ago. He remembers what it is like. He said making it easier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/now-president-obama-paid-off-his-own-student-loans-not-too-long-ago/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [I've worked on a lot of fun movies, but my favorite job was having a boss who gave the order to take out bin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/i-ve-worked-on-a-lot-of-fun-movies-but-my-favorite-job-was-having-a/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Let's keep fighting for a president who's never stopped fighting for us! Go online. Find your local campaign office. Call your friends. Call some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/let-s-keep-fighting-for-a-president-who-s-never-stopped-fighting-for/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [I volunteered in Iowa in 2007 because, like you, I had friends serving in Iraq, friends who were looking for jobs, others who couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/i-volunteered-in-iowa-in-2007-because-like-you-i-had-friends-serving/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [In a cab. It's like a hundred degrees. Can't tell if that manly odor means I'm stinky or if it's the cabbie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/in-a-cab-it-s-like-a-hundred-degrees-can-t-tell-if-that-manly-odor/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [CNN annoyed me so I'm watching Dance Moms. Not the first time Tuesday night has ended up like this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/cnn-annoyed-me-so-i-m-watching-dance-moms-not-the-first-time-tuesday/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [I'm also politically independent so I'm not a fan of either the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/i-m-also-politically-independent-so-i-m-not-a-fan-of-either-the/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Overheard. 'Ooh thass that guy from Herald and Gerald go to sumthin sumthin.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/overheard-ooh-thass-that-guy-from-herald-and-gerald-go-to-sumthin/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [Man I wish Morgan Freeman would do my outgoing voicemail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/man-i-wish-morgan-freeman-would-do-my-outgoing-voicemail/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) [Explore all 44 Kal Penn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [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/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing that I enjoy about the arts in general is the ability to make the audience feel an emotion that they weren't intending to feel before they went in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kal Penn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-actor-and-the-thing-that-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-actor-and-the-thing-that-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/kal-penn-15106_ability_the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-ac_1306168.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The thing that I enjoy about being an actor and the thing that I enjoy about the arts in general is the…” — Kal Penn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kal Penn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The thing that I enjoy about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-actor-and-the-thing-that-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/the-thing-that-i-enjoy-about-being-an-actor-and-the-thing-that-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```