--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In some roles you do that very hard work…" description: "\"In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some point into rehearsals, where all of a sudden it snaps into place. You feel like the soul of thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg" --- # In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some… ![“In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some point into rehearsals, where all of a sudden it snaps into place. You feel like the soul of this character is now dwelling in you.” quote by Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg) > “In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some point into rehearsals, where all of a sudden it snaps into place. You feel like the soul of this character is now dwelling in you.” [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A performer describes the moment intense rehearsal work culminates in a deep connection with a character’s soul. **In simple terms:** Hard work leads to authentic character embodiment. Key Takeaway Commit fully to rehearsal to embody roles. Themes craft dedication transformation Mood intense fulfilling Type artistic motivational When to use this quote - theatre performance - film acting - character study - creative breakthrough Key Concepts method acting emotional truth character immersion Questions to Reflect On - When have you felt a character truly become you? - What techniques help achieve this depth? A Different Perspective Not all roles allow such deep immersion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) [Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel/) [Feel Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-like/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Place Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-feel/) [Rehearsal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rehearsal/) [Rehearsals Sudden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rehearsals-sudden-4529466/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Roles Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles-hard-1685924/) [Snaps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snaps/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) ## Related quotes > [Real quality in roles is very hard to come by. Any actor or actress will tell you that. Great movies are hard to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/real-quality-in-roles-is-very-hard-to-come-by-any-actor-or-actress/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I love making films, but the best roles are hard to come by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hill-harper/i-love-making-films-but-the-best-roles-are-hard-to-come-by/) [Hill Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hill-harper/) > [Good roles are hard to find no matter what age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/good-roles-are-hard-to-find-no-matter-what-age/) [Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/) > [I also think if you get sort of early success there's always this part of you which feels like, "I need to address the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/i-also-think-if-you-get-sort-of-early-success-there-s-always-this/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [Good roles are hard to come by, and whether they're a few lines or a lead, you snap 'em up when they come along](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-hunnam/good-roles-are-hard-to-come-by-and-whether-they-re-a-few-lines-or-a/) [Charlie Hunnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-hunnam/) > [When a man is stimulated by his own thoughts, full of desire and dwelling on what is attractive, his craving increases even more. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/when-a-man-is-stimulated-by-his-own-thoughts-full-of-desire-and/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [It's hard always to say what it is one likes about a place, for me. I feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/it-s-hard-always-to-say-what-it-is-one-likes-about-a-place-for-me-i/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [I just wanted to go to a place where I would feel happy and I am happy now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-mata/i-just-wanted-to-go-to-a-place-where-i-would-feel-happy-and-i-am/) [Juan Mata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-mata/) > [Home to me is when someone comes up to me and says, "Can I get a selfie?" No. It's where your wife and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/home-to-me-is-when-someone-comes-up-to-me-and-says-can-i-get-a-selfie/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“You will rot in any place you feel you do not belong to!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/you-will-rot-in-any-place-you-feel-you-do-not-belong-to/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Paris is the only place where I feel that I lead a life that I can call my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-juliet-buck/paris-is-the-only-place-where-i-feel-that-i-lead-a-life-that-i-can/) [Joan Juliet Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-juliet-buck/) > [People don't realize that lighting can change the whole look of a place and the feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-berk/people-don-t-realize-that-lighting-can-change-the-whole-look-of-a/) [Bobby Berk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-berk/) > [I think the stage is the place where I feel most comfortable and most myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-hadwin/i-think-the-stage-is-the-place-where-i-feel-most-comfortable-and-most/) [Courtney Hadwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-hadwin/) > [“The whole place had a feel and aura about as warm as a cold sore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-whole-place-had-a-feel-and-aura-about-as-warm-as-a-cold-sore/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) ## More by Mercedes Ruehl > [Nature chooses who will be transgender; individuals don't choose this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/nature-chooses-who-will-be-transgender-individuals-don-t-choose-this/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [I'll be with The Goat until the fall. Then I've been given three plays to look at and there have been a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/i-ll-be-with-the-goat-until-the-fall-then-i-ve-been-given-three-plays/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [In this business, you never say no to anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/in-this-business-you-never-say-no-to-anything/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [We have the tendency to condemn what we don't understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/we-have-the-tendency-to-condemn-what-we-don-t-understand/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [You know, I once leased a Mercedes because I got a good deal on it because of my first name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/you-know-i-once-leased-a-mercedes-because-i-got-a-good-deal-on-it/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [I learned a lot more about transgender people. It's not a choice, but a physiological condition that has to do with the size of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/i-learned-a-lot-more-about-transgender-people-it-s-not-a-choice-but-a/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [The first theatre I ever found was in the backyard of a new suburban community in the foothills of the Poconos. My dad was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/the-first-theatre-i-ever-found-was-in-the-backyard-of-a-new-suburban/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [But in my own particular case, there was something that happened when I became a mother. Whenever in the news I saw an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/but-in-my-own-particular-case-there-was-something-that-happened-when/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [I've always had facility with the German accent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/i-ve-always-had-facility-with-the-german-accent/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [Society historically has a difficult time with the concept of something new and foreign that shakes up our comfortable views, especially if it involves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/society-historically-has-a-difficult-time-with-the-concept-of/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [I find that once you find the sound and voice of this character you're playing, everything else follows. It comes right out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/i-find-that-once-you-find-the-sound-and-voice-of-this-character-you/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [Writing of that caliber spoils you for any other kind of writing for awhile. But that's probably good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/writing-of-that-caliber-spoils-you-for-any-other-kind-of-writing-for/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [Also, I had read a book called She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders, written by a professor who had gone through transgender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/also-i-had-read-a-book-called-she-s-not-there-a-life-in-two-genders/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [Some roles require a building from the foundation up; it really doesn't come to you easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/some-roles-require-a-building-from-the-foundation-up-it-really-doesn/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [I find there's almost no place to put an award that one's quite comfortable with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/i-find-there-s-almost-no-place-to-put-an-award-that-one-s-quite/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) [Explore all 16 Mercedes Ruehl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [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/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some point into rehearsals, where all of a sudden it snaps into place. You feel like the soul of this character is now dwelling in you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mercedes Ruehl" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work-where-at-some-point-into/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work-where-at-some-point-into/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/mercedes-ruehl-31779_character_in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work_2964204.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In some roles you do that very hard work where, at some point into rehearsals, where all of a sudden it…” — Mercedes Ruehl", "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": "Mercedes Ruehl", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In some roles you do that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work-where-at-some-point-into/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/in-some-roles-you-do-that-very-hard-work-where-at-some-point-into/#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 } } ] } ```