--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd done performance art sporadically…" description: "\"I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 - very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed like a natural step from that. But I didn'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg" --- # I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976… ![“I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 - very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed like a natural step from that. But I didn't really want to 'be' anything: presenter, comic, actor. I just wanted to perform.” quote by Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg) > “I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 - very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed like a natural step from that. But I didn't really want to 'be' anything: presenter, comic, actor. I just wanted to perform.” [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He pursued performance art and acting without wanting a fixed identity, seeking pure expression. **In simple terms:** Seek expression, not labels. Key Takeaway Focus on authentic performance. Themes identity artistic freedom self‑discovery Mood reflective curious Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - street art - theatre - improv - personal branding - career transition Key Concepts existentialism performance theory creativity Questions to Reflect On - What does “just perform” mean to you? - How do you balance freedom with livelihood? A Different Perspective Avoiding a clear role can limit professional opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1976 Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1976-personal-2168684/) [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-just/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Performance art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance-art/) [Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step/) [Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/street/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Things Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-acting-918390/) ## Related quotes > [Performance art is going to be the future. Plays on Broadway are so restricted. But performance art is like haikus, just one line thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/performance-art-is-going-to-be-the-future-plays-on-broadway-are-so/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [A performance art piece is unprecedented. It is difficult to censor since it has a good possibility of never being done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-bowman/a-performance-art-piece-is-unprecedented-it-is-difficult-to-censor/) [Jack Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-bowman/) > [Teaching is performance art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-clinton/teaching-is-performance-art/) [Kate Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-clinton/) > [Performance art is the ultimate in creativity. Since it has so many possibilities at creativity, it's essence tends to become creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-bowman/performance-art-is-the-ultimate-in-creativity-since-it-has-so-many/) [Jack Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-bowman/) > [First of all, to do performance art, you really have to give 100 percent. I only know that I have to give 100 percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/first-of-all-to-do-performance-art-you-really-have-to-give-100/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [We were doing performance art as far back as 1965, just not calling it that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jarman/we-were-doing-performance-art-as-far-back-as-1965-just-not-calling-it/) [Joseph Jarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jarman/) > [It's a fine line of doing what's good for your life and what your parents want you to do, but also following your dreams.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaley-cuoco/it-s-a-fine-line-of-doing-what-s-good-for-your-life-and-what-your/) [Kaley Cuoco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaley-cuoco/) > [Some of us have such incredible things that can keep us from acting. We have the luxury of drinking such good wine, and having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dar-williams/some-of-us-have-such-incredible-things-that-can-keep-us-from-acting/) [Dar Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dar-williams/) > [One of the nice things about acting is that it allows you to open up to the other people within you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/one-of-the-nice-things-about-acting-is-that-it-allows-you-to-open-up/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [One of the things about acting is you can always use your life. You have to recall how you are and how people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ritter/one-of-the-things-about-acting-is-you-can-always-use-your-life-you/) [John Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ritter/) > [One of the things about acting is it allows you to live other people's lives without having to pay the price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/one-of-the-things-about-acting-is-it-allows-you-to-live-other-people/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [Listening and hearing are two different things, and acting is comprehending what the person is saying, thinking how it makes you feel and responding.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wenham/listening-and-hearing-are-two-different-things-and-acting-is/) [David Wenham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wenham/) > [I didn't even have a career before 'Stranger Things' - it was my first acting job, my first time on a professional set, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-purser/i-didn-t-even-have-a-career-before-stranger-things-it-was-my-first/) [Shannon Purser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-purser/) > [I like to do a wide variety of things, and acting, particularly in the theatre, has given me that opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-allam/i-like-to-do-a-wide-variety-of-things-and-acting-particularly-in-the/) [Roger Allam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-allam/) > [I was producing things I was acting in, but I had never directed and I felt it was time. I was looking for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-was-producing-things-i-was-acting-in-but-i-had-never-directed-and-i/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) ## More by Keith Allen > [I don't want to be loved. No interest in being loved whatsoever. Actually, I don't mind being misunderstood either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-don-t-want-to-be-loved-no-interest-in-being-loved-whatsoever/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [We make our own pesto. Our own chutney and jams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/we-make-our-own-pesto-our-own-chutney-and-jams/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I hate technically constructed actors. In fact, I hate anything technically constructed, unless it's a bridge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-hate-technically-constructed-actors-in-fact-i-hate-anything/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [All actors will tell you that baddies are where the money is because they stick in people's minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/all-actors-will-tell-you-that-baddies-are-where-the-money-is-because/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [Vanity takes a lot of work. I'm too lazy to be vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/vanity-takes-a-lot-of-work-i-m-too-lazy-to-be-vain/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I knew Joe Strummer back in the days before he formed the Clash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-knew-joe-strummer-back-in-the-days-before-he-formed-the-clash/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I only did the comedy thing because I just thought I could do it better than anyone else at the time. And I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-only-did-the-comedy-thing-because-i-just-thought-i-could-do-it/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I've been on the edge of everything, like one of those characters at the side of a Brueghel painting with a warty nose. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-ve-been-on-the-edge-of-everything-like-one-of-those-characters-at/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [If the press can take the easy option, they will. To them, I'm always 'the wild man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/if-the-press-can-take-the-easy-option-they-will-to-them-i-m-always/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I'm delighted that the BBC has given me the chance to delve into the murky world of 'The Body Farm.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-m-delighted-that-the-bbc-has-given-me-the-chance-to-delve-into-the/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [The Internet is a global lavatory wall, a Rabelaisian mixture of truth, lies, insanity and humour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/the-internet-is-a-global-lavatory-wall-a-rabelaisian-mixture-of-truth/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I love reading when I'm on holiday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-love-reading-when-i-m-on-holiday/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I hardly ever drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-hardly-ever-drink/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [I'm very old fashioned. I'm from an era where your phone is in the house so if you are pottering in the garden then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-m-very-old-fashioned-i-m-from-an-era-where-your-phone-is-in-the/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) > [We are governed by consumerism and it's terrible when that is all that life is geared to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/we-are-governed-by-consumerism-and-it-s-terrible-when-that-is-all/) [Keith Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) [Explore all 79 Keith Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 - very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed like a natural step from that. But I didn't really want to 'be' anything: presenter, comic, actor. I just wanted to perform.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Keith Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-from-about-1976-very-personal/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-from-about-1976-very-personal/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/466/keith-allen-8618_acting_i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-fr_2628416.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 - very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed…” — Keith Allen", "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": "Keith Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'd done performance art sporadically from...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-from-about-1976-very-personal/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-allen/i-d-done-performance-art-sporadically-from-about-1976-very-personal/#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 } } ] } ```