--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: American theatre, to me, represents…" description: "\"American theatre, to me, represents zeroing down on what the need is to get inside the personal hearts of people. I think it's really beautiful if we c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/kelli-o-hara-8395_actor_american-theatre-to-me-represents-zeroin_2668972.jpg" --- # American theatre, to me, represents zeroing down on what… ![“American theatre, to me, represents zeroing down on what the need is to get inside the personal hearts of people. I think it's really beautiful if we can keep doing that instead of just fluffing everything up and hiding again.” quote by Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/kelli-o-hara-8395_actor_american-theatre-to-me-represents-zeroin_2668972.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/kelli-o-hara-8395_actor_american-theatre-to-me-represents-zeroin_2668972.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/kelli-o-hara-8395_actor_american-theatre-to-me-represents-zeroin_2668972.jpg) > “American theatre, to me, represents zeroing down on what the need is to get inside the personal hearts of people. I think it's really beautiful if we can keep doing that instead of just fluffing everything up and hiding again.” [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American theatre aims to reach audiences' hearts by focusing on essential human needs. **In simple terms:** Theatre should touch core human emotions. Key Takeaway Create work that speaks directly to personal experience. Themes theatre authenticity empathy Mood inspired critical Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - stage productions - community outreach - educational programs Key Concepts dramatic arts human psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can theatre stay true to its purpose amid market demands? - What stories best reveal personal truths? A Different Perspective Commercial pressures can dilute authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Really beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-beautiful/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I believe in the American theatre. I believe in its power to inform about the human condition, its power to heal ... its power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/i-believe-in-the-american-theatre-i-believe-in-its-power-to-inform/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [I trained with the American Theatre of Harlem, and by the grace of God, that was my foundation to understanding the art of storytelling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-morgan/i-trained-with-the-american-theatre-of-harlem-and-by-the-grace-of-god/) [Rob Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-morgan/) > [I always describe race as the final taboo in American theatre. 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I felt I was finally in a position to affect not only the artistic content of the American theatre, but also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-i-was-finally-in-a-position-to-affect-not-only-the-artistic/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When you start looking at a problem and it seems really simple, you don't really understand the complexity of the problem. Then you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/when-you-start-looking-at-a-problem-and-it-seems-really-simple-you/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [All my serving utensils are measured. It's not obvious, because they're really beautiful, but I have the option of tracking what I'm eating. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-vincent/all-my-serving-utensils-are-measured-it-s-not-obvious-because-they-re/) [Ali Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-vincent/) > [Well, my piano's really beautiful. I actually have two pianos. I have a Yamaha upright from the '60s that's blond, wood, and black, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/well-my-piano-s-really-beautiful-i-actually-have-two-pianos-i-have-a/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [“It's kind of beautiful, this scary world. I still want to go out of it as soon as possible, but when I look around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/it-s-kind-of-beautiful-this-scary-world-i-still-want-to-go-out-of-it/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [I find the relationship of sensation and physicality, and, for me, it's music like anything else. 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In that infinite space, to be able to meet and become one with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-a-joong/in-that-endless-time-we-are-born-in-the-same-age-in-that-infinite/) [Kim A-joong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-a-joong/) > [I'm terrified of heights, but I think there's something really beautiful about birds and soaring, having a bird's-eye view of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindy-booth/i-m-terrified-of-heights-but-i-think-there-s-something-really/) [Lindy Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindy-booth/) > [One frequently only finds out how really beautiful a women is, until after considerable acquaintance with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/one-frequently-only-finds-out-how-really-beautiful-a-women-is-until/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [One thing that's certain: around the corner from every ugly thing, there's something really beautiful. If we stop at every bitter interaction; we'll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/one-thing-that-s-certain-around-the-corner-from-every-ugly-thing/) [Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/) ## More by Kelli O'Hara > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I never really try to watch the movie of the things I've been in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-never-really-try-to-watch-the-movie-of-the-things-i-ve-been-in/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I love playing an ingenue, and I love doing revivals, and I will continue to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-love-playing-an-ingenue-and-i-love-doing-revivals-and-i-will/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Playing characters allows me to do things I may not always do, while singing in concerts allows me to really find my own voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/playing-characters-allows-me-to-do-things-i-may-not-always-do-while/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I don't ever think about the roads I didn't take because I spend too much time thinking what's ahead. I don't go backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-don-t-ever-think-about-the-roads-i-didn-t-take-because-i-spend-too/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [If you act brave, you can seem brave, and if you do it enough, you can talk yourself into believing you're brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/if-you-act-brave-you-can-seem-brave-and-if-you-do-it-enough-you-can/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [If a man thinks you're beautiful or thinks you're strong or thinks you're smart, take the power and use it, but don't need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/if-a-man-thinks-you-re-beautiful-or-thinks-you-re-strong-or-thinks/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Our natural thing to do when we break away from our parents and our family is to decide in how many ways they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/our-natural-thing-to-do-when-we-break-away-from-our-parents-and-our/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I think anything emotional adds to your acting and singing, no matter what it is that you go through. It will always add to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-think-anything-emotional-adds-to-your-acting-and-singing-no-matter/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [My mom's side of the family is from Arkansas!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/my-mom-s-side-of-the-family-is-from-arkansas/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Sometimes I think people are famous because they're themselves and they do a role and you see them do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/sometimes-i-think-people-are-famous-because-they-re-themselves-and/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I'm proud to be Irish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-m-proud-to-be-irish/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I loved to sing and I loved to act, and I didn’t want to continue opera because I wanted to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/i-loved-to-sing-and-i-loved-to-act-and-i-didn-t-want-to-continue/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [The 'Carousel' overture has always been one of my all-time favorite pieces of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/the-carousel-overture-has-always-been-one-of-my-all-time-favorite/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [My father named me Kelli because 'Kelli O'Hara' just sounded so Irish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/my-father-named-me-kelli-because-kelli-o-hara-just-sounded-so-irish/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) [Explore all 81 Kelli O'Hara quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! 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I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "American theatre, to me, represents zeroing down on what the need is to get inside the personal hearts of people. 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