--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My mother, when I was doing stage acting…" description: "\"My mother, when I was doing stage acting in Chicago, would come to see any show that I was in. There was no access to communication. There was no sign ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/paul-raci-9038_acting_my-mother-when-i-was-doing-stage-acting_2941105.jpg" --- # My mother, when I was doing stage acting in Chicago, would… ![“My mother, when I was doing stage acting in Chicago, would come to see any show that I was in. There was no access to communication. There was no sign language interpreting, but she'd just sit there in the front row and just try and read lips of every character on the play that I was doing.” quote by Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/paul-raci-9038_acting_my-mother-when-i-was-doing-stage-acting_2941105.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/paul-raci-9038_acting_my-mother-when-i-was-doing-stage-acting_2941105.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/paul-raci-9038_acting_my-mother-when-i-was-doing-stage-acting_2941105.jpg) > “My mother, when I was doing stage acting in Chicago, would come to see any show that I was in. There was no access to communication. There was no sign language interpreting, but she'd just sit there in the front row and just try and read lips of every character on the play that I was doing.” [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A mother’s devoted effort to understand a stage performance despite communication barriers. **In simple terms:** Mother’s love overcomes communication limits. Key Takeaway Support can bridge accessibility gaps. Themes family determination accessibility Mood inspirational empathetic Type humanitarian reflective When to use this quote - parenting - performing arts - advocacy Key Concepts disability studies theatre empathy Questions to Reflect On - How can we improve accessibility in live arts? - What motivates caregivers to go beyond barriers? A Different Perspective Not all audiences have such support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Chicago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-chicago-4385635/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Doing Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-stage-431414/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Sign language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sign-language/) [Stage acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage-acting/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) ## Related quotes > [I'd been acting in Chicago since I came back after University, and I got a call from my agent saying, 'They're doing this revival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-mueller/i-d-been-acting-in-chicago-since-i-came-back-after-university-and-i/) [Jessie Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-mueller/) > [I've always been a sign language interpreter in the court system, and running out to do an audition so I could do one line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-ve-always-been-a-sign-language-interpreter-in-the-court-system-and/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [There's so much great imagery in sign language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/there-s-so-much-great-imagery-in-sign-language/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [American Sign Language is my native tongue. That's the first thing that I learned to communicate with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/american-sign-language-is-my-native-tongue-that-s-the-first-thing/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [But that's one of the nice things about doing a stage show, if something doesn't work out, you have the luxury of working on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bea-arthur/but-that-s-one-of-the-nice-things-about-doing-a-stage-show-if/) [Bea Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bea-arthur/) > [I really miss doing stage though, I really do. I actually prefer that, hands down to anything else and I can do it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-cohan/i-really-miss-doing-stage-though-i-really-do-i-actually-prefer-that/) [Lauren Cohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-cohan/) > [I love touring, more than anything. Doing the stage show is a more enjoyable process than TV. There are no safeguards but the payoff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derren-brown/i-love-touring-more-than-anything-doing-the-stage-show-is-a-more/) [Derren Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derren-brown/) > [I've never been that bothered about doing stage or television. I just love doing films. With theatre, it goes on night after night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-ve-never-been-that-bothered-about-doing-stage-or-television-i-just/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) > [Whenever I'm doing stage, I want to be doing screen, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/whenever-i-m-doing-stage-i-want-to-be-doing-screen-and-vice-versa/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [What I do on stage, you won't catch me doing off stage. I mean, I think deep down I'm still kind of, like, timid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena/what-i-do-on-stage-you-won-t-catch-me-doing-off-stage-i-mean-i-think/) [Selena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena/) > [I live on a boat two months out of the year, and if I did not have that then I don't know how I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/i-live-on-a-boat-two-months-out-of-the-year-and-if-i-did-not-have/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [What I'm doing on stage now is just the tip of the iceberg.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/what-i-m-doing-on-stage-now-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [The ability to absorb a book and make someone else's words and story your own was exactly was I was doing on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/the-ability-to-absorb-a-book-and-make-someone-else-s-words-and-story/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [I think one of the most difficult challenges in show business is the challenge of longevity and to constantly realize and reveal what's already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blair-underwood/i-think-one-of-the-most-difficult-challenges-in-show-business-is-the/) [Blair Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blair-underwood/) > [I can feel how an audience is reacting when I'm on a stage, but when you are on stage, your perception is distorted. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-can-feel-how-an-audience-is-reacting-when-i-m-on-a-stage-but-when/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) ## More by Paul Raci > [I started professionally acting in '80.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-started-professionally-acting-in-80/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [American Sign Language is my native tongue. That's the first thing that I learned to communicate with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/american-sign-language-is-my-native-tongue-that-s-the-first-thing/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [I moved out here when I was 40 and guess what, they are not looking for 40-year-olds in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-moved-out-here-when-i-was-40-and-guess-what-they-are-not-looking/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [You're going to see more inclusion in casting in this town, in Hollywood. You're going to see a lot more differently abled people, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/you-re-going-to-see-more-inclusion-in-casting-in-this-town-in/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [You throw all these obstacles in front of people, especially a lot of the deaf people that I've known in my life, you throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/you-throw-all-these-obstacles-in-front-of-people-especially-a-lot-of/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [What I'm going to make sure happens, if I have anything to say about it, now that people are listening - we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/what-i-m-going-to-make-sure-happens-if-i-have-anything-to-say-about/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [We all know in the deaf community, there are deaf actors, men and women who are highly, highly skilled, highly intuitive, highly intelligent, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/we-all-know-in-the-deaf-community-there-are-deaf-actors-men-and-women/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [I had so many deaf uncles that instilled in me this feeling of unconditional love, that's how I was brought up in that community.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-had-so-many-deaf-uncles-that-instilled-in-me-this-feeling-of/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [John Williams was a Vietnam veteran and I'm a Vietnam veteran, I did two tours in Vietnam. So knowing that, that he wrote a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/john-williams-was-a-vietnam-veteran-and-i-m-a-vietnam-veteran-i-did/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [Everybody in Los Angeles is an actor, or they think they are, or they want to be. They're looking for that shot. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/everybody-in-los-angeles-is-an-actor-or-they-think-they-are-or-they/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [My father was deafened at the age of six months from spinal meningitis, so he never knew sound at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/my-father-was-deafened-at-the-age-of-six-months-from-spinal/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [This is why every actor wants to get a script - they want to see what the arc of the character is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/this-is-why-every-actor-wants-to-get-a-script-they-want-to-see-what/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [The Deaf population is not a monolith. It's so layered, so complicated. It's happy, it's sad, it's angry. The gamut of human emotion, amplified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/the-deaf-population-is-not-a-monolith-it-s-so-layered-so-complicated/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [There are too many talented deaf men and women out there who are actors, who really have chops, who really know what they're doing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/there-are-too-many-talented-deaf-men-and-women-out-there-who-are/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [I'm so blessed that the garden I'm able to pull from, the actor's garden, is as rich as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/i-m-so-blessed-that-the-garden-i-m-able-to-pull-from-the-actor-s/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) [Explore all 75 Paul Raci quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. 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