--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first decided to take off the tap…" description: "\"When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/kathy-burke-6332_directing_when-i-first-decided-to-take-off-the-tap_3215241.jpg" --- # When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and… ![“When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something with Oxford Stage Company. My reaction was negative.” quote by Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/kathy-burke-6332_directing_when-i-first-decided-to-take-off-the-tap_3215241.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/kathy-burke-6332_directing_when-i-first-decided-to-take-off-the-tap_3215241.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/kathy-burke-6332_directing_when-i-first-decided-to-take-off-the-tap_3215241.jpg) > “When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something with Oxford Stage Company. My reaction was negative.” [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Changing artistic focus can provoke unexpected opportunities, even after initial resistance. **In simple terms:** Switching paths can open new doors despite doubts. Key Takeaway Remain open to new collaborations. Themes career change artistic growth collaboration Mood reflective optimistic Type career inspirational When to use this quote - stage productions - film projects - personal reinvention Key Concepts directing networking creative risk Questions to Reflect On - What fears arise when you consider a new direction? - How can you honor past experience while embracing change? A Different Perspective Resistance may stem from fear of losing identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I'm basically a writer, it's who I am. I direct and I like theatre directing very much. But I've done 17 movies, they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-m-basically-a-writer-it-s-who-i-am-i-direct-and-i-like-theatre/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I think the only directing I'd be any good at is theatre directing. It's the only thing I can see myself doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-think-the-only-directing-i-d-be-any-good-at-is-theatre-directing-it/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [I didn't really like being at college. It wasn't like it was Oxford and had been the most wonderful time of my life. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-jagger/i-didn-t-really-like-being-at-college-it-wasn-t-like-it-was-oxford/) [Mick Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-jagger/) > [What I like about Oxford is how small it is; it's really more of a big town than a city.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-shannon/what-i-like-about-oxford-is-how-small-it-is-it-s-really-more-of-a-big/) [Samantha Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-shannon/) > [“The Bodleian above anything else made Oxford what it was . . . There was something incommunicably grand about it, something difficult to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-finch/the-bodleian-above-anything-else-made-oxford-what-it-was-there-was/) [Charles Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-finch/) > [“...it occurred to me, not for the first time, what a remarkably small world Britain is. That is its glory, you see--that it manages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/it-occurred-to-me-not-for-the-first-time-what-a-remarkably-small/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [Manchester has a wonderful vibe and I really like Oxford.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-demetriou/manchester-has-a-wonderful-vibe-and-i-really-like-oxford/) [Jamie Demetriou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-demetriou/) > [The world surely has not another place like Oxford; it is a despair to see such a place and ever to leave it, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-world-surely-has-not-another-place-like-oxford-it-is-a-despair-to/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [“But Venice, like Oxford, had kept the background for romance, and, to the true romantic, background was everything, or almost everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/but-venice-like-oxford-had-kept-the-background-for-romance-and-to-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [What I enjoy most about directing is the chance of working things out with the writer, plus I need their approval and I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/what-i-enjoy-most-about-directing-is-the-chance-of-working-things-out/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/) [Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/) > [That's what I learned most about directing on my own - you've got to build a family, a filmmaking family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/that-s-what-i-learned-most-about-directing-on-my-own-you-ve-got-to/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) ## More by Kathy Burke > [Without meaning to sound anti-men, ghastly women are the closest you get to a male role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/without-meaning-to-sound-anti-men-ghastly-women-are-the-closest-you/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [When 'Nil By Mouth' was released, people thought that's what we were actually like, that they'd put me and Ray in front of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/when-nil-by-mouth-was-released-people-thought-that-s-what-we-were/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [Money really is a dirty word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/money-really-is-a-dirty-word/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [When I'm on me island, I want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/when-i-m-on-me-island-i-want-to-dance/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [Sex education is absolutely important. Kids need to know about sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/sex-education-is-absolutely-important-kids-need-to-know-about-sex/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I came on to Twitter in my 50s and I sort of think that was perfect. I am just a ranting old lady really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-came-on-to-twitter-in-my-50s-and-i-sort-of-think-that-was-perfect-i/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I didn't want to work on dry, old plays written by the dry, old dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-didn-t-want-to-work-on-dry-old-plays-written-by-the-dry-old-dead/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I've got one of those really big tellies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-ve-got-one-of-those-really-big-tellies/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [It bloody annoys me when people forget that we're actors. Just because we tend to appear in things with our own accents, saying dialogue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/it-bloody-annoys-me-when-people-forget-that-we-re-actors-just-because/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [If I get angry about stuff - I have to say I can use quite fruity language at times which isn't to everyone's taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/if-i-get-angry-about-stuff-i-have-to-say-i-can-use-quite-fruity/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I'm a beautiful person, I know I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-m-a-beautiful-person-i-know-i-am/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [I've got faith in my own talent and I always have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/i-ve-got-faith-in-my-own-talent-and-i-always-have/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [What I enjoy most about directing is the chance of working things out with the writer, plus I need their approval and I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/what-i-enjoy-most-about-directing-is-the-chance-of-working-things-out/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [In fact, I didn't realize I was 'unattractive' - in inverted commas - until I started acting. It was, 'Oh no, you're not right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/in-fact-i-didn-t-realize-i-was-unattractive-in-inverted-commas-until/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) > [Edinburgh is good craic. A romantic and beautiful city, it's one those places that makes me smile when I think about it - there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-burke/edinburgh-is-good-craic-a-romantic-and-beautiful-city-it-s-one-those/) [Kathy Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) [Explore all 99 Kathy Burke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-burke/) ## More Directing quotes > [Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ford/anybody-can-direct-a-picture-once-they-know-the-fundamentals/) [John Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ford/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [That's what I learned most about directing on my own - you've got to build a family, a filmmaking family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/that-s-what-i-learned-most-about-directing-on-my-own-you-ve-got-to/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/) [Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [When I see my movies on the editing table, I do think I could have done them a certain way. The satisfaction is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/when-i-see-my-movies-on-the-editing-table-i-do-think-i-could-have/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [For me the dream is the freedom to make all the crazy ideas I have in my head into movies. I truly love directing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-ozeki/for-me-the-dream-is-the-freedom-to-make-all-the-crazy-ideas-i-have-in/) [Nicholas Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-ozeki/) > [The producing thing has come quite naturally to me. I feel like for directing, I would like to be more technically-savvy. I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/the-producing-thing-has-come-quite-naturally-to-me-i-feel-like-for/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I'm addicted to directing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-shankman/i-m-addicted-to-directing/) [Adam Shankman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-shankman/) > [Making a movie and not directing the little moments is like drinking a soda and leaving the little slurp puddle for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/making-a-movie-and-not-directing-the-little-moments-is-like-drinking/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Directing films is easier said than done. The job needs a lot of sensibility to put many things in place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/directing-films-is-easier-said-than-done-the-job-needs-a-lot-of/) [Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/) > [I starred in a Broadway play that was Sidney Poitier's first directing job and the cast was Lou Gossett, Cicely Tyson, Diana Ladd and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steinberg/i-starred-in-a-broadway-play-that-was-sidney-poitier-s-first/) [David Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steinberg/) > [I don't get nervous when I'm directing a play. It's not like acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-seymour-hoffman/i-don-t-get-nervous-when-i-m-directing-a-play-it-s-not-like-acting/) [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-seymour-hoffman/) > [My dad's a prominent theatre director in Toronto, so I grew up in that world, directing and producing theater since I was a teenager.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gass-donnelly/my-dad-s-a-prominent-theatre-director-in-toronto-so-i-grew-up-in-that/) [Ed Gass-Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gass-donnelly/) > [The hardest part about directing is getting everyone on the same page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/the-hardest-part-about-directing-is-getting-everyone-on-the-same-page/) [Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/) Browse all 1,163 Directing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I first decided to take off the tap shoes and concentrate on theatre directing, Dominic Dromgoole got in touch to ask if I'd like to do something with Oxford Stage Company. 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