--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am a performer. I go on stage and make…" description: "\"I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself.\" — Mikhail Baryshnikov" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png" --- # I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself. ![“I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself.” quote by Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png) > “I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself.” [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) ## 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 embraces vulnerability by intentionally appearing foolish on stage. **In simple terms:** Performers accept risk and vulnerability in their art. Key Takeaway Embrace risk to deepen artistic authenticity. Themes art vulnerability performance Mood introspective inspirational Type artistic personal When to use this quote - theatre - dance - public speaking - creative workshops Key Concepts self‑expression risk taking Questions to Reflect On - How does vulnerability enhance connection? - When is risk appropriate? A Different Perspective Audience expectations may limit willingness to appear foolish. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Make Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-fool/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Performer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer/) [Performer Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer-stage-363586/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Stage Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage-make-1233862/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a Gemini, so there's two people in me. Straight up. There's the nerd who is totally zoned out in the studio, EQ-ing this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/i-m-a-gemini-so-there-s-two-people-in-me-straight-up-there-s-the-nerd/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [I've always as a performer on stage tend to sort of throw myself into the character, whatever I've written about, so it depends on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-friday/i-ve-always-as-a-performer-on-stage-tend-to-sort-of-throw-myself-into/) [Gavin Friday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-friday/) > [I am a street performer as much as I am a stage performer. Yes, I have a television show, but every trick, every 'Mindfreak'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/i-am-a-street-performer-as-much-as-i-am-a-stage-performer-yes-i-have/) [Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/) > [On stage I make love to twenty five thousand people; and then I go home alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-joplin/on-stage-i-make-love-to-twenty-five-thousand-people-and-then-i-go/) [Janis Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-joplin/) > [There's something mystical and wonderful about being in the room with the actual live performer s on stage that works. In film, it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-brickman/there-s-something-mystical-and-wonderful-about-being-in-the-room-with/) [Marshall Brickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-brickman/) > [I was always a performer, always on stage, but I also always believed I was going to go home, open a dance school, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie-hawn/i-was-always-a-performer-always-on-stage-but-i-also-always-believed-i/) [Goldie Hawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie-hawn/) > [The world is your stage. Make your mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-civil/the-world-is-your-stage-make-your-mark/) [Karen Civil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-civil/) > [I wear a lot of wigs and stuff on stage to make my hair look bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunx/i-wear-a-lot-of-wigs-and-stuff-on-stage-to-make-my-hair-look-bigger/) [Hunx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunx/) > [Sometimes with films you have a freedom to be able to, Okay, we got that take so let's try another one where suddenly I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-stan/sometimes-with-films-you-have-a-freedom-to-be-able-to-okay-we-got/) [Sebastian Stan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-stan/) > [Can you imagine the first time they figured out how to mechanically raise somebody up through the stage and make them appear, or drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/can-you-imagine-the-first-time-they-figured-out-how-to-mechanically/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [We have our factory, which is called a stage. We make a product, we color it, we title it and we ship it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-grant/we-have-our-factory-which-is-called-a-stage-we-make-a-product-we/) [Cary Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-grant/) > [On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-joplin/on-stage-i-make-love-to-25-000-different-people-then-i-go-home-alone/) [Janis Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-joplin/) > [I still love to walk on stage and make people laugh, and I work very, very hard at it, and I take it seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/i-still-love-to-walk-on-stage-and-make-people-laugh-and-i-work-very/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [Because so many people love seeing me on stage and because I can make many people happy, I become happy through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jin/because-so-many-people-love-seeing-me-on-stage-and-because-i-can-make/) [Jin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jin/) > [I go out there and make a fool of myself. It's inevitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-assante/i-go-out-there-and-make-a-fool-of-myself-it-s-inevitable/) [Armand Assante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-assante/) ## More by Mikhail Baryshnikov > [I am not the first straight dancer or the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-not-the-first-straight-dancer-or-the-last/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [Working is living to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/working-is-living-to-me/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I was always interested in photography and other forms of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-was-always-interested-in-photography-and-other-forms-of-art/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [In the second part of life you get rid of stuff you've accumulated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/in-the-second-part-of-life-you-get-rid-of-stuff-you-ve-accumulated/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [You don't measure life by receiving awards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/you-don-t-measure-life-by-receiving-awards/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [No one is born a dancer. You have to want it more than anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-one-is-born-a-dancer-you-have-to-want-it-more-than-anything/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-want-to-do-exactly-what-i-want-to-do-i-d-rather-gamble-on-the-box/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I always had a kind of strange relationship with New York City, with total love affair in the beginning then retreat during the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-always-had-a-kind-of-strange-relationship-with-new-york-city-with/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [Running a company is pretty demanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/running-a-company-is-pretty-demanding/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I like the most provocative and most surprising partnerships on stage. Intensity and surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-like-the-most-provocative-and-most-surprising-partnerships-on-stage/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [When a body moves, it's the most revealing thing. Dance for me a minute, and I'll tell you who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/when-a-body-moves-it-s-the-most-revealing-thing-dance-for-me-a-minute/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I - you know, I'm not an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-you-know-i-m-not-an-actor/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [If your only dance experience is the Nutcracker, it will be a shock; hopefully shocking in a good way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/if-your-only-dance-experience-is-the-nutcracker-it-will-be-a-shock/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [People dance at any age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/people-dance-at-any-age/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-do-not-try-to-dance-better-than-anyone-else-i-only-try-to-to-dance/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) [Explore all 128 Mikhail Baryshnikov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [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/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) [Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mikhail Baryshnikov" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make-a-fool-of-myself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Am" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make-a-fool-of-myself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/159/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_am_i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make_442834.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am a performer. I go on stage and make a fool of myself.” — Mikhail Baryshnikov", "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": "Mikhail Baryshnikov", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am a performer. I go...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make-a-fool-of-myself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-a-performer-i-go-on-stage-and-make-a-fool-of-myself/#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 } } ] } ```