--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My first thought about acting, growing up…" description: "\"My first thought about acting, growing up here in New York, was theater, and I feel like I need to force myself to go get my ass kicked in a rehearsal ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg" --- # My first thought about acting, growing up here in New… ![“My first thought about acting, growing up here in New York, was theater, and I feel like I need to force myself to go get my ass kicked in a rehearsal room and do one of those plays at some point.” quote by Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg) > “My first thought about acting, growing up here in New York, was theater, and I feel like I need to force myself to go get my ass kicked in a rehearsal room and do one of those plays at some point.” [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pursuing uncomfortable challenges in acting fuels growth and resilience. **In simple terms:** Push yourself into tough rehearsals. Key Takeaway Embrace discomfort to improve. Themes growth discipline resilience Mood determined anxious Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - theater auditions - skill development - career risk - creative blocks Key Concepts performance art psychology Questions to Reflect On - What fear holds you back from a tough role? - How can you create safe discomfort? A Different Perspective Comfort zones can limit potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Rehearsal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rehearsal/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [When you are performing in theater, you feel so connected to your audience. Its exhilarating!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-marano/when-you-are-performing-in-theater-you-feel-so-connected-to-your/) [Laura Marano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-marano/) > [I acted in high school and studied at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford for one summer. I minored in theater, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-miller/i-acted-in-high-school-and-studied-at-the-british-american-drama/) [T. J. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-miller/) > [If I didn't get joy from acting, I wouldn't do it. My passion for acting is growing and I love telling good stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annasophia-robb/if-i-didn-t-get-joy-from-acting-i-wouldn-t-do-it-my-passion-for/) [AnnaSophia Robb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annasophia-robb/) > [I enjoyed acting growing up; I did musical theater. I had a secret desire to be a television and movie actress, but it wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-schull/i-enjoyed-acting-growing-up-i-did-musical-theater-i-had-a-secret/) [Amanda Schull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-schull/) > [Acting is a growing tick muscle. I really believe that it's similar to being a musician in that the more you practice it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-lowes/acting-is-a-growing-tick-muscle-i-really-believe-that-it-s-similar-to/) [Katie Lowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-lowes/) > [I never considered acting while growing up. I just knew I didn't want to go into the saloon business: I wanted to get away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-ameche/i-never-considered-acting-while-growing-up-i-just-knew-i-didn-t-want/) [Don Ameche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-ameche/) > [When I go back to theater, I feel good about myself. When I do films or TV, it's to make a little bread to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hedison/when-i-go-back-to-theater-i-feel-good-about-myself-when-i-do-films-or/) [David Hedison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hedison/) > [The theater is who I am - it's where I feel the most inspired, the most at home, the most useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-louise-parker/the-theater-is-who-i-am-it-s-where-i-feel-the-most-inspired-the-most/) [Mary-Louise Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-louise-parker/) > [As an actor, my background is in the theater and I feel that my strong suit is period work, but I actually didn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-meaney/as-an-actor-my-background-is-in-the-theater-and-i-feel-that-my-strong/) [Colm Meaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-meaney/) > [Being the only African American at this level in American Ballet Theater, I feel like people are looking at me, and it's my responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/being-the-only-african-american-at-this-level-in-american-ballet/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [In a sense I feel very much a part of the cinema now in a way where when I come back to the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-cox/in-a-sense-i-feel-very-much-a-part-of-the-cinema-now-in-a-way-where/) [Brian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-cox/) > ['Scandal' has been, for me, the most consistent time I've ever logged in front of a camera. I grew up in the theater, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-lowes/scandal-has-been-for-me-the-most-consistent-time-i-ve-ever-logged-in/) [Katie Lowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-lowes/) > [When you are performing in theater, you feel so connected to your audience. It's exhilarating!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-marano/when-you-are-performing-in-theater-you-feel-so-connected-to-your-2/) [Laura Marano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-marano/) > [I live in a rather special world. I only know one person who voted for Nixon. Where they are I don't know. They're outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-kael/i-live-in-a-rather-special-world-i-only-know-one-person-who-voted-for/) [Pauline Kael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-kael/) > [I love the theater so much, and it's where I feel most comfortable. I love the people and the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-finneran/i-love-the-theater-so-much-and-it-s-where-i-feel-most-comfortable-i/) [Katie Finneran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-finneran/) ## More by Paul Dano > [When somebody mentions that I did a play with George C. Scott, I'm like, it can't have happened. What was I doing on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-somebody-mentions-that-i-did-a-play-with-george-c-scott-i-m-like/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ Of course I think it's a movie for everybody \[Insane Farting Corpse\], but that's probably just because it's a movie for me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/of-course-i-think-it-s-a-movie-for-everybody-insane-farting-corpse/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [Some projects go as you hope or imagine, and some change or reveal themselves in a different way; it depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/some-projects-go-as-you-hope-or-imagine-and-some-change-or-reveal/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I try to leave my work at the door when I leave the set. It's almost like summer camp. You go in hard, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-try-to-leave-my-work-at-the-door-when-i-leave-the-set-it-s-almost/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I dont normally like getting dressed up, but when I go to events, I like to look put together. Ive got to say, getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-dont-normally-like-getting-dressed-up-but-when-i-go-to-events-i/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [Nobody is a perfect actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/nobody-is-a-perfect-actor/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [The better the acting is, the harder it is to see what the process is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-better-the-acting-is-the-harder-it-is-to-see-what-the-process-is/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ If you could call me buff, my version of buff was when I finished that film \[Swiss Army Man\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/if-you-could-call-me-buff-my-version-of-buff-was-when-i-finished-that/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [The only constant I can find is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-only-constant-i-can-find-is-hard-work/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ Reading the script \[Insane Farting Corpse\], by page two or three, I felt that way. I thought, I'm in. It was so beautiful and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/reading-the-script-insane-farting-corpse-by-page-two-or-three-i-felt/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I went to tranny bars and kind of got used to being around that and then getting dressed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-went-to-tranny-bars-and-kind-of-got-used-to-being-around-that-and/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ I'm really excited to share the movie \[Swiss Army Man\] with people, so I'm glad that people are seeing it. And I want them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-m-really-excited-to-share-the-movie-swiss-army-man-with-people-so-i/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I want to do some bigger films, so long as there's some sort of exciting creative element or a good filmmaker behind them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-want-to-do-some-bigger-films-so-long-as-there-s-some-sort-of/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [As an actor, I always feel you basically have to be able to delude yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/as-an-actor-i-always-feel-you-basically-have-to-be-able-to-delude/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [People have asked me about playing outsiders. I don't consider myself an outsider. Maybe that's why I'm interested in that. I'm not really sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/people-have-asked-me-about-playing-outsiders-i-don-t-consider-myself/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) [Explore all 160 Paul Dano quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My first thought about acting, growing up here in New York, was theater, and I feel like I need to force myself to go get my ass kicked in a rehearsal room and do one of those plays at some point.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Dano" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up-here-in-new-york-was-theater/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up-here-in-new-york-was-theater/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e0/paul-dano-2579_acting_my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up_1086596.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My first thought about acting, growing up here in New York, was theater, and I feel like I need to force…” — Paul Dano", "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": "Paul Dano", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My first thought about acting, growing...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up-here-in-new-york-was-theater/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/my-first-thought-about-acting-growing-up-here-in-new-york-was-theater/#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 } } ] } ```