--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most exciting thing I've seen is…" description: "\"The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only being open to actors coming in the room with different abilities but actively looking at ways t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg" --- # The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only… ![“The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only being open to actors coming in the room with different abilities but actively looking at ways that the story can be enlarged with disabled actors.” quote by Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg) > “The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only being open to actors coming in the room with different abilities but actively looking at ways that the story can be enlarged with disabled actors.” [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inclusive casting expands storytelling by integrating disabled actors, enriching narratives and audience connection. **In simple terms:** Including disabled actors broadens stories. Key Takeaway Support inclusive casting. Themes inclusion creativity representation Mood inspirational hopeful Type industry creative When to use this quote - casting decisions - directors workshops - audience engagement Key Concepts theatre diversity Questions to Reflect On - How can directors foster inclusive environments? - What stories benefit from diverse abilities? A Different Perspective Resistance may arise from traditional expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors Coming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-coming-659385/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directors Open](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors-open-1060653/) [Disabled Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disabled-actors-717073/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Open Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-actors-2055348/) [Seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seen/) [Seen Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seen-directors-2055347/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I try to always be open to what the actors want to try. I don't storyboard and try to be intuitive and open on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-coppola/i-try-to-always-be-open-to-what-the-actors-want-to-try-i-don-t/) [Sofia Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-coppola/) > [Some directors are open to ideas, and some are rigid. And, some actors are into method acting, and some, instinctive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shriya-saran/some-directors-are-open-to-ideas-and-some-are-rigid-and-some-actors/) [Shriya Saran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shriya-saran/) > [On Ernst Lubitsch: He could do more with a closed door than other directors could do with an open fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/on-ernst-lubitsch-he-could-do-more-with-a-closed-door-than-other/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [Non-disabled actors should not still be playing disabled characters in 2020. We're better than that. It's frankly offensive and archaic and it makes me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-jones/non-disabled-actors-should-not-still-be-playing-disabled-characters/) [Rosie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-jones/) > [There are two schools of thought here. On one side you have 'only disabled actors can play disabled roles' and over here you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-pearson/there-are-two-schools-of-thought-here-on-one-side-you-have-only/) [Adam Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-pearson/) > [It's really important to remember that disability is diversity, and that disabled actors and disabilities are something that is hugely under-represented in film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-shenton/it-s-really-important-to-remember-that-disability-is-diversity-and/) [Rachel Shenton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-shenton/) > [The founding of Graeae by disabled actors was a huge political statement that you forgot at your peril.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robinson/the-founding-of-graeae-by-disabled-actors-was-a-huge-political/) [Tony Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robinson/) > [We need to band together in solidarity. There's so many portions of our community that are under-represented. You rarely see disabled actors on movie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-riseborough/we-need-to-band-together-in-solidarity-there-s-so-many-portions-of/) [Andrea Riseborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-riseborough/) > [I'm not saying at all that only disabled actors should get disabled roles, because that's equally prejudiced and equally stifling. But I think we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-pearson/i-m-not-saying-at-all-that-only-disabled-actors-should-get-disabled/) [Adam Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-pearson/) > [I am blind. I am also a stand-up comedian and actor who has benefited from the desire of a very small number of writers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/i-am-blind-i-am-also-a-stand-up-comedian-and-actor-who-has-benefited/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [A lot of people don't want to hire disabled actors. They think you're going to take twice as long over a shot, or they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rj-mitte/a-lot-of-people-don-t-want-to-hire-disabled-actors-they-think-you-re/) [RJ Mitte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rj-mitte/) > [I get so many tweets and emails from young people with disabilities or disfigurements who also want to act, or do TV or do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-pearson/i-get-so-many-tweets-and-emails-from-young-people-with-disabilities/) [Adam Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-pearson/) > [Committing to providing greater opportunities for disabled actors should include writing disabilities into more roles where it is irrelevant to the storyline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mccausland/committing-to-providing-greater-opportunities-for-disabled-actors/) [Chris McCausland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mccausland/) > [For actors coming out of long-running soaps, it's really important to have a little break from the screen and look for roles that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-walsh/for-actors-coming-out-of-long-running-soaps-it-s-really-important-to/) [Bradley Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-walsh/) > [Several southern actors are coming to Mumbai. Likewise, many Bollywood actors are appearing down South or borrowing ideas from southern films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-charan/several-southern-actors-are-coming-to-mumbai-likewise-many-bollywood/) [Ram Charan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-charan/) ## More by Michael Arden > [I had a sort of rocky upbringing, and I think the theater was a safe place for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-had-a-sort-of-rocky-upbringing-and-i-think-the-theater-was-a-safe/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [My dream would be to have 50 people in a show with each person from a different country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/my-dream-would-be-to-have-50-people-in-a-show-with-each-person-from-a/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [A lot of times, comedy writers will go for the gay joke, and I've been vocal about saying, 'Go for the smart joke.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/a-lot-of-times-comedy-writers-will-go-for-the-gay-joke-and-i-ve-been/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [So many gay men are mothers to so many young people, me included. I've had gay men who were more mother to me than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/so-many-gay-men-are-mothers-to-so-many-young-people-me-included-i-ve/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I created my family with the people I met in the theater and escaped in the stories I told and the characters I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-created-my-family-with-the-people-i-met-in-the-theater-and-escaped/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I want to create an environment that actors can be really free in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-want-to-create-an-environment-that-actors-can-be-really-free-in/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I've played gay, and I've played straight... I'm proud to be a gay man myself, and I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-ve-played-gay-and-i-ve-played-straight-i-m-proud-to-be-a-gay-man/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [My favorite collaborator is Dane Laffrey, who designed the set for 'Once on This Island,' but we've worked together since high school, when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/my-favorite-collaborator-is-dane-laffrey-who-designed-the-set-for/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [Say you have a young black kid, and you come to see a Sondheim show. You love the material, but you look on stage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/say-you-have-a-young-black-kid-and-you-come-to-see-a-sondheim-show/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I think all my favorite directors have acted. They understand how an actor thinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-think-all-my-favorite-directors-have-acted-they-understand-how-an/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [If you've never heard a piece of Mozart, then Mozart could sound scary or confusing, so it's all about learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/if-you-ve-never-heard-a-piece-of-mozart-then-mozart-could-sound-scary/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [Unless we build theater and performing arts, then we're not going to be creating future patrons. We need to make it accessible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/unless-we-build-theater-and-performing-arts-then-we-re-not-going-to/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I remember sitting at home in West Texas listening to my 'Songs for a New World' CD over and over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-remember-sitting-at-home-in-west-texas-listening-to-my-songs-for-a/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [I often think about what love can inspire in the world, not just in the eyes of the object of your affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/i-often-think-about-what-love-can-inspire-in-the-world-not-just-in/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) > [We learn the most from listening, and I don't just mean with our ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/we-learn-the-most-from-listening-and-i-don-t-just-mean-with-our-ears/) [Michael Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) [Explore all 49 Michael Arden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [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/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only being open to actors coming in the room with different abilities but actively looking at ways that the story can be enlarged with disabled actors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Arden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-directors-not-only-being-open-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-directors-not-only-being-open-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd8/michael-arden-13817_being_the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-dir_2614402.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The most exciting thing I've seen is directors not only being open to actors coming in the room with…” — Michael Arden", "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": "Michael Arden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The most exciting thing I've seen...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-directors-not-only-being-open-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arden/the-most-exciting-thing-i-ve-seen-is-directors-not-only-being-open-to/#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 } } ] } ```