--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd rather do a great play than a…" description: "\"I'd rather do a great play than a mediocre play in New York. As much as I'd like to be seen in New York, that's not my driving motivation. My motivatio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/laila-robins-31332_driving_i-d-rather-do-a-great-play-than-a-medioc_677749.jpg" --- # I'd rather do a great play than a mediocre play in New… ![“I'd rather do a great play than a mediocre play in New York. As much as I'd like to be seen in New York, that's not my driving motivation. My motivation is to play great roles, wherever they happen.” quote by Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/laila-robins-31332_driving_i-d-rather-do-a-great-play-than-a-medioc_677749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/laila-robins-31332_driving_i-d-rather-do-a-great-play-than-a-medioc_677749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/laila-robins-31332_driving_i-d-rather-do-a-great-play-than-a-medioc_677749.jpg) > “I'd rather do a great play than a mediocre play in New York. As much as I'd like to be seen in New York, that's not my driving motivation. My motivation is to play great roles, wherever they happen.” [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She values artistic quality over location, seeking great roles wherever they arise. **In simple terms:** Great roles matter more than city fame. Key Takeaway Prioritize role quality over venue. Themes artistic integrity career choices location independence Mood determined reflective Type career advice inspirational When to use this quote - audition decisions - career planning - role acceptance - geographic flexibility Key Concepts method acting role selection personal fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What criteria define a "great role" for you? - How do you balance artistic goals with practical considerations? A Different Perspective May limit networking opportunities in major hubs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Driving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driving/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [The driving motivation of a new American endeavor in Iraq and in neighboring Arab lands should be modernizing the Arab world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fouad-ajami/the-driving-motivation-of-a-new-american-endeavor-in-iraq-and-in/) Fouad Ajami > [“The driving motivation of a spiritual teacher is to show that while the extent of human problems is understood, there is a different way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/the-driving-motivation-of-a-spiritual-teacher-is-to-show-that-while/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [It's funny, oftentimes the really great roles that I enjoy are in classic plays, and there aren't many theatres in New York who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/it-s-funny-oftentimes-the-really-great-roles-that-i-enjoy-are-in/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [It's tough when you're No. 1. You don't have any private life, you can't even walk anywhere. I think that was one reason why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjorn-borg/it-s-tough-when-you-re-no-1-you-don-t-have-any-private-life-you-can-t/) [Bjorn Borg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjorn-borg/) > [Sometimes it's an extra motivation to play in front of our fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-onana/sometimes-it-s-an-extra-motivation-to-play-in-front-of-our-fans/) [Andre Onana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-onana/) > [When you get kicked, you must know that the response is to play better. That is the way I have always thought. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rodriguez/when-you-get-kicked-you-must-know-that-the-response-is-to-play-better/) [James Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rodriguez/) > [Every year that goes by, I lose that much more motivation to play rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/every-year-that-goes-by-i-lose-that-much-more-motivation-to-play-rock/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [The motivation for me is just the game itself, just playing the game the right way and trying to win, compete every time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/the-motivation-for-me-is-just-the-game-itself-just-playing-the-game/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) > [Is always the motivation to play better and better. But I think we are in a very good way to keep winning matches. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-nadal/is-always-the-motivation-to-play-better-and-better-but-i-think-we-are/) [Rafael Nadal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-nadal/) > [ If you are to do justice to \[the great roles\], you must fly up to them - rather than dragging them down to you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-guskin/if-you-are-to-do-justice-to-the-great-roles-you-must-fly-up-to-them/) Harold Guskin > [I have to make myself available for work. If I'm going to sit around only for great roles, I won't get the right one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arbaaz-khan/i-have-to-make-myself-available-for-work-if-i-m-going-to-sit-around/) [Arbaaz Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arbaaz-khan/) > [I really want to act and act in great roles, which have scope of performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritika-singh/i-really-want-to-act-and-act-in-great-roles-which-have-scope-of/) [Ritika Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritika-singh/) > [If the opportunities are not being presented to me, I'm going to take the reins and do it. Brit Marling was not waiting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-aselton/if-the-opportunities-are-not-being-presented-to-me-i-m-going-to-take/) [Katie Aselton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-aselton/) > [I think if you keep an open mind and actively look, you find these really great roles that you might have otherwise never even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-roberts/i-think-if-you-keep-an-open-mind-and-actively-look-you-find-these/) [Emma Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-roberts/) > [Actors like me endeavour to look for great roles and portraying them to the best of our ability. At times, it's noticed; at times,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/actors-like-me-endeavour-to-look-for-great-roles-and-portraying-them/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) ## More by Laila Robins > [I often feel that when people have affairs, it has more to do with something they're searching for in themselves than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/i-often-feel-that-when-people-have-affairs-it-has-more-to-do-with/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [One day, when I was 33, I shifted. I suddenly saw acting as a higher calling. I understood that my goal was to serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/one-day-when-i-was-33-i-shifted-i-suddenly-saw-acting-as-a-higher/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [A lot of times you come against actors who come from a different direction, and you tend to meet in the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/a-lot-of-times-you-come-against-actors-who-come-from-a-different/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [I did nine months in 'Mrs. Klein' in New York, then four months on the road. Then I did a movie directed by Philip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/i-did-nine-months-in-mrs-klein-in-new-york-then-four-months-on-the/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [I feel very close to Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/i-feel-very-close-to-maryann-plunkett-and-jay-o-sanders/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [Often I play, especially on television, a lot of smart lawyer people and cerebral types.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/often-i-play-especially-on-television-a-lot-of-smart-lawyer-people/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [A lot of my training is in classical theatre; I've done a lot of classical plays in New York and also at the Guthrie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/a-lot-of-my-training-is-in-classical-theatre-i-ve-done-a-lot-of/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [It has always been a dream of mine to put a play on film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/it-has-always-been-a-dream-of-mine-to-put-a-play-on-film/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [That's always a fun thing to play, a relationship where there's equals. I often play roles that are repressive, or women who are slightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/that-s-always-a-fun-thing-to-play-a-relationship-where-there-s-equals/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [Tennessee Williams is an incredible writer for women because, in many ways, his women characters are him. He writes so passionately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/tennessee-williams-is-an-incredible-writer-for-women-because-in-many/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [I've paid my dues in the classical trenches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/i-ve-paid-my-dues-in-the-classical-trenches/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [It's funny, oftentimes the really great roles that I enjoy are in classic plays, and there aren't many theatres in New York who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/it-s-funny-oftentimes-the-really-great-roles-that-i-enjoy-are-in/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [Because I was from the Midwest and untrained, I was completely open and ready to try anything. Many of my classmates were cynical and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/because-i-was-from-the-midwest-and-untrained-i-was-completely-open/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > [I want to work with Cherry Jones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/i-want-to-work-with-cherry-jones/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) > ['Heartbreak House' was a lot of fun for me. I must have missed that day at school. I'd never read it or seen it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laila-robins/heartbreak-house-was-a-lot-of-fun-for-me-i-must-have-missed-that-day/) [Laila Robins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) [Explore all 16 Laila Robins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laila-robins/) ## More Driving quotes > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I don't own a yacht or a flashy car. I've always had safe cars because I do so much driving. I don't think I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-don-t-own-a-yacht-or-a-flashy-car-i-ve-always-had-safe-cars-because/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [There are a lot of impractical things about owning a Porsche. But they're all offset by the driving experience. It really is unique. Lamborghinis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-o-leary/there-are-a-lot-of-impractical-things-about-owning-a-porsche-but-they/) [Kevin O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-o-leary/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I only started driving lessons because of comedy - before that, there's be no need. There was a bus from where I lived to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-millican/i-only-started-driving-lessons-because-of-comedy-before-that-there-s/) [Sarah Millican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-millican/) > [“police cars, but since he was driving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-cole/police-cars-but-since-he-was-driving/) [Bobby Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-cole/) > [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I love driving my car on any highway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virat-kohli/i-love-driving-my-car-on-any-highway/) [Virat Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virat-kohli/) > [Emma was a shocking driver, simultaneously sloppy and petrified, and for the first fifty miles had been absent-mindedly driving with her spectacles on top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/emma-was-a-shocking-driver-simultaneously-sloppy-and-petrified-and/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I'm really looking forward to a time when generations after us look back and say how ridiculous it was that humans were driving cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-m-really-looking-forward-to-a-time-when-generations-after-us-look/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-it-doesn-t-block-traffic/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [With our dramas, we have a lot of shows that feature very well-to-do, well-educated people who are driving very nice cars and living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-dungey/with-our-dramas-we-have-a-lot-of-shows-that-feature-very-well-to-do/) [Channing Dungey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-dungey/) > [By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-duncan-smith/by-measuring-the-proportion-of-children-living-with-the-same-parents/) [Iain Duncan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-duncan-smith/) > [I didn't pass my driving test till I was 38!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-didn-t-pass-my-driving-test-till-i-was-38/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [Yeah, I'm the Brit who isn't Lewis Hamilton that woke up and realised he was good. I got that tag because I was young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenson-button/yeah-i-m-the-brit-who-isn-t-lewis-hamilton-that-woke-up-and-realised/) [Jenson Button](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenson-button/) [Browse all 2,780 Driving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driving/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd rather do a great play than a mediocre play in New York. As much as I'd like to be seen in New York, that's not my driving motivation. 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