Acting Quote by Michael Shurtleff
“Every scene you will ever act begins in the middle, and it is up to you, the actor, to provide what comes before.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Actor’s Art and Craft, Michael Shurtleff, 1978
Actors must create a backstory for their role, filling in what precedes the scene to deliver a believable performance.
In simple terms: Create a backstory to enrich the scene.
Key Takeaway
Build context before acting.
Themes
creativity
storytelling
preparation
performance
Mood
inspired
analytical
Type
theatrical
instructional
When to use this quote
- acting workshops
- script analysis
- rehearsal
- directing
Key Concepts
character development
improvisation
narrative structure
Questions to Reflect On
- How does backstory influence your choices?
- When is improvisation more effective than pre-planned context?
A Different Perspective
It may limit spontaneous interpretation.
![“Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that attitude toward being alive without which you would long ago have jumped off the 59th Street Bridge.” quote by Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/504/michael-shurtleff-19554_acting_humor-in-a-scene-is-not-jokes-it-is-that_611053.jpg)
