--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was in musical comedy. And I did very…" description: "\"I was in musical comedy. And I did very well, but the memorization killed me. I'm not good at memorizing, and it gave me a lot of anxiety. I hated the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/358/patti-smith-394_anxiety_i-was-in-musical-comedy-and-i-did-very-w_3108686.jpg" --- # I was in musical comedy. And I did very well, but the… ![“I was in musical comedy. And I did very well, but the memorization killed me. I'm not good at memorizing, and it gave me a lot of anxiety. I hated the makeup. I hated all that pancake makeup. I didn't really like dressing for parts.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/358/patti-smith-394_anxiety_i-was-in-musical-comedy-and-i-did-very-w_3108686.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/358/patti-smith-394_anxiety_i-was-in-musical-comedy-and-i-did-very-w_3108686.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/358/patti-smith-394_anxiety_i-was-in-musical-comedy-and-i-did-very-w_3108686.jpg) > “I was in musical comedy. And I did very well, but the memorization killed me. I'm not good at memorizing, and it gave me a lot of anxiety. I hated the makeup. I hated all that pancake makeup. I didn't really like dressing for parts.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She struggled with the demands of musical theater, especially memorization and makeup, which caused anxiety and dislike for the role's appearance. **In simple terms:** The pressures of performance can cause anxiety when personal strengths don’t match role demands. Key Takeaway Seek roles that align with your strengths and comfort. Themes anxiety performance self‑acceptance Mood frustrated reflective Type personal career When to use this quote - theater auditions - acting workshops - personal branding - mental health strategies Key Concepts memorization makeup stage pressure Questions to Reflect On - How can performers adapt roles to fit personal strengths? - What strategies reduce performance anxiety? A Different Perspective The quote highlights personal challenges but not broader industry pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Makeup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makeup/) [Memorization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorization/) ## Related quotes > [I hated the makeup. I hated all that pancake makeup. I didn't really like dressing for parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-hated-the-makeup-i-hated-all-that-pancake-makeup-i-didn-t-really/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [“Memorization has gotten a bad rap recently. Lots of students, and even some educators, say that being able to reason is more important than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefanie-weisman/memorization-has-gotten-a-bad-rap-recently-lots-of-students-and-even/) [Stefanie Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefanie-weisman/) > [The people of Tlön are taught that the act of counting modifies the amount counted, turning indefinites into definites. The fact that several persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-people-of-tl-n-are-taught-that-the-act-of-counting-modifies-the/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [My memorization skills aren't that great so I need help in that area. As far as everything else, I listen to the director. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morse/my-memorization-skills-aren-t-that-great-so-i-need-help-in-that-area/) [Robert Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morse/) > [“Memorizing someone else’s explanation of the truth isn’t the same as seeing the truth for yourself. It is what it is—the memorization of second-hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-e-davey/memorizing-someone-else-s-explanation-of-the-truth-isn-t-the-same-as/) [H.E. Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-e-davey/) > [I don't care that much about rote memorization. An old boyfriend of mine used to get into lacerating arguments with his parents over facts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-don-t-care-that-much-about-rote-memorization-an-old-boyfriend-of/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“Memorization Through Association Memorization through association is taking something familiar to you and correlating it to what you’re trying to remember. So for example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-houge/memorization-through-association-memorization-through-association-is/) [Adam Houge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-houge/) > [The status quo was rote memorization and recitation in classrooms thronged with passive children who were sternly disciplined when they expressed individual needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/the-status-quo-was-rote-memorization-and-recitation-in-classrooms/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [I'm blessed with very fast memorization skills, so I don't have to read it too far in advance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaimie-alexander/i-m-blessed-with-very-fast-memorization-skills-so-i-don-t-have-to/) [Jaimie Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaimie-alexander/) > [You know I'm finished with the old chess because it's all just a lot of book and memorization you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/you-know-i-m-finished-with-the-old-chess-because-it-s-all-just-a-lot/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [I don't worry too much about learning lines per se. The memorization is the easy part for me, usually. For me, it's more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candice-patton/i-don-t-worry-too-much-about-learning-lines-per-se-the-memorization/) [Candice Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candice-patton/) > [“Knowledge is memorized and then recalled later. Wisdom is the judge of the present moment and memorization is not necessary here. Because memorization is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/knowledge-is-memorized-and-then-recalled-later-wisdom-is-the-judge-of/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [“Something went greatly wrong in our collective history and the starting point of it was the industrial revolution. Our school systems are focussed on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martinus-hendrikus-benders/something-went-greatly-wrong-in-our-collective-history-and-the/) [Martinus Hendrikus Benders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martinus-hendrikus-benders/) > [... teaching cannot be a process of transference of knowledge from the one teaching to the learner. This is the mechanical transference from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/teaching-cannot-be-a-process-of-transference-of-knowledge-from-the/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was in musical comedy. 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