--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I tend to play characters that arent…" description: "\"I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or written black.\" — Megalyn Echikunwoke" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png" --- # I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or… ![“I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or written black.” quote by Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png) > “I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or written black.” [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discusses choosing roles that avoid stereotypical black casting, seeking diverse representation. **In simple terms:** She prefers roles not defined by race. Key Takeaway Advocate for color-blind casting and nuanced characters. Themes representation acting diversity Mood hopeful determined Type advocacy inspirational When to use this quote - casting calls - theatre productions - film auditions - script analysis Key Concepts stereotype avoidance role selection Questions to Reflect On - How can actors influence casting decisions? - What impact does non-stereotypical casting have on audiences? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic barriers to diverse casting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I tend to play characters that aren't supposed to black or written black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-tend-to-play-characters-that-aren-t-supposed-to-black-or-written/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [What upset me was that after 'Saawariya,' which came after the awards and rewards of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,' 'Devdas' and 'Black,' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjay-leela-bhansali/what-upset-me-was-that-after-saawariya-which-came-after-the-awards/) [Sanjay Leela Bhansali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjay-leela-bhansali/) > [I read the script, and I knew it was a good part. It was written for a white actor. That's what I'm up against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-hines/i-read-the-script-and-i-knew-it-was-a-good-part-it-was-written-for-a/) [Gregory Hines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-hines/) > [The poetry you read has been written for you, each of you - black, white, Hispanic, man, woman, gay, straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-poetry-you-read-has-been-written-for-you-each-of-you-black-white/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [There haven't been enough profound things written about what being black means and what a black character is. Nobody knows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-earl-jones/there-haven-t-been-enough-profound-things-written-about-what-being/) [James Earl Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-earl-jones/) > ["Southland" was not written for a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-king/southland-was-not-written-for-a-black-woman/) [Regina King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-king/) > [I realized with Broadway everything written for black people is usually written in the past, and I'm kind of a contemporary guy. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/i-realized-with-broadway-everything-written-for-black-people-is/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [I do tend to play characters that have a lot of costume and hair change. I sort of like the change of physicality thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katey-sagal/i-do-tend-to-play-characters-that-have-a-lot-of-costume-and-hair/) [Katey Sagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katey-sagal/) > [I do not fault anyone else who makes choices to play characters that they wished they hadn't... Because at the end of the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-do-not-fault-anyone-else-who-makes-choices-to-play-characters-that/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [If you look at the rest of my stuff, I always play characters that kind of don't look like me, 'cause I love transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-rasuk/if-you-look-at-the-rest-of-my-stuff-i-always-play-characters-that/) [Victor Rasuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-rasuk/) > [Even while I'm really interested in playing female characters that are varied and interesting and dynamic, I'm not of the mind that you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-thompson/even-while-i-m-really-interested-in-playing-female-characters-that/) [Tessa Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-thompson/) > [If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk like me regardless of age or sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-maccaig/if-i-wrote-a-play-with-four-characters-every-single-one-of-them-would/) [Norman MacCaig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-maccaig/) > [Every actor, I don't care what they say, their roles are a lot more interesting than we are, and at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moon-bloodgood/every-actor-i-don-t-care-what-they-say-their-roles-are-a-lot-more/) [Moon Bloodgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moon-bloodgood/) > [I normally play very serious characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-normally-play-very-serious-characters/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [You have to play your characters, not like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/you-have-to-play-your-characters-not-like-them/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) ## More by Megalyn Echikunwoke > [As an actor, you are always looking for something fresh and interesting and not ordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/as-an-actor-you-are-always-looking-for-something-fresh-and/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I definitely am drawn to strong females who are successful, smart women because I am a woman like that. I think it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-definitely-am-drawn-to-strong-females-who-are-successful-smart/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I always like an environment where there's lots of women and everyone's different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-always-like-an-environment-where-there-s-lots-of-women-and-everyone/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [We don't want to watch boring characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/we-don-t-want-to-watch-boring-characters/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I always like an environment where theres lots of women and everyones different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-always-like-an-environment-where-theres-lots-of-women-and-everyones/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [Every actress hopes to play a wide range of characters because not often you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/every-actress-hopes-to-play-a-wide-range-of-characters-because-not/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I did do a little research. I went to a couple really fantastic strip clubs with really talented dancers, just in terms of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-did-do-a-little-research-i-went-to-a-couple-really-fantastic-strip/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [There aren't a lot of roles in period movies for black people. It sucks because I love that era. But, I love musicals. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/there-aren-t-a-lot-of-roles-in-period-movies-for-black-people-it/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [Besides finding a great place to stay, it's important for me to find at least one cultural destination to visit, other than that, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/besides-finding-a-great-place-to-stay-it-s-important-for-me-to-find/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [If someone said, "Here, you have your pick, you can do either a musical, Moulin Rouge type of movie, where you sing and dance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/if-someone-said-here-you-have-your-pick-you-can-do-either-a-musical/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I definitely am drawn to strong females who are successful, smart women because I am a woman like that. I think it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-definitely-am-drawn-to-strong-females-who-are-successful-smart-2/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I wouldn't mind spending six months a year having a private jet take me around the world to visit natural and historical landmarks like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-wouldn-t-mind-spending-six-months-a-year-having-a-private-jet-take/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [One thing I am really dying to do, while I'm still young and in shape, is an action movie. I would love to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/one-thing-i-am-really-dying-to-do-while-i-m-still-young-and-in-shape/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [I've been to strip clubs where the dancers have these whole routines that they create just for the wow factor and to say, 'Look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-ve-been-to-strip-clubs-where-the-dancers-have-these-whole-routines/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) > [You don't know why someone is in a certain circumstance and why they chose to be there. Sometimes it's just about having an experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/you-don-t-know-why-someone-is-in-a-certain-circumstance-and-why-they/) [Megalyn Echikunwoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) [Explore all 29 Megalyn Echikunwoke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or written black.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Megalyn Echikunwoke" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-supposed-to-black-or-written/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Black" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-supposed-to-black-or-written/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d77/megalyn-echikunwoke-21509_black_i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-sup_1330072.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I tend to play characters that arent supposed to black or written black.” — Megalyn Echikunwoke", "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": "Megalyn Echikunwoke", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megalyn-echikunwoke/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I tend to play characters that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-supposed-to-black-or-written/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megalyn-echikunwoke/i-tend-to-play-characters-that-arent-supposed-to-black-or-written/#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 } } ] } ```