--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was never in an acting school. But I…" description: "\"I was never in an acting school. But I learned everything on the job like memorising lines, all the technicalities of theatre, how to use your voice an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/poonam-dhillon-6952_acting_i-was-never-in-an-acting-school-but-i-le_1242610.jpg" --- # I was never in an acting school. But I learned everything… ![“I was never in an acting school. But I learned everything on the job like memorising lines, all the technicalities of theatre, how to use your voice and eyes and more.” quote by Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/poonam-dhillon-6952_acting_i-was-never-in-an-acting-school-but-i-le_1242610.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/poonam-dhillon-6952_acting_i-was-never-in-an-acting-school-but-i-le_1242610.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/poonam-dhillon-6952_acting_i-was-never-in-an-acting-school-but-i-le_1242610.jpg) > “I was never in an acting school. But I learned everything on the job like memorising lines, all the technicalities of theatre, how to use your voice and eyes and more.” [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting skills can be acquired through practical experience rather than formal schooling. **In simple terms:** Learn by doing. Key Takeaway Value hands‑on practice. Themes learning experience self‑directed growth creativity adaptability Mood motivational practical encouraging Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - theatre productions - film sets - workshop rehearsals - improv classes Key Concepts experiential learning skill transfer confidence building Questions to Reflect On - What practical steps can you take to improve your craft? - How does on‑the‑job learning differ from classroom teaching? A Different Perspective Lack of formal credentials may hinder certain opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-school/) [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Use Your Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-your-voice/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [“I’ve learned that our job is not to change the world. Our job is to change ourselves so that we may more fully love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reverend-becca-stevens/i-ve-learned-that-our-job-is-not-to-change-the-world-our-job-is-to/) Reverend Becca Stevens > [I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-have-learned-that-it-is-no-one-else-s-job-to-take-care-of-me-but-me/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [I learned to take the first job that you have in the business that you want to get into. It doesn't matter what that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-craven/i-learned-to-take-the-first-job-that-you-have-in-the-business-that/) [Wes Craven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-craven/) > [“That's the main thing I learned in that job - how to be a considerate coworker. Cover the phones for someone so they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/that-s-the-main-thing-i-learned-in-that-job-how-to-be-a-considerate/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [I learned my job from English dramatists. Tennessee Williams was no good for me, New York stuff was no good to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/i-learned-my-job-from-english-dramatists-tennessee-williams-was-no/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [I didn't take a single business class. I learned on the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-smolyansky/i-didn-t-take-a-single-business-class-i-learned-on-the-job/) [Julie Smolyansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-smolyansky/) > [As someone who's never been musically trained, I am sort of used to being in a position where I have to kind of do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-galitzine/as-someone-who-s-never-been-musically-trained-i-am-sort-of-used-to/) [Nicholas Galitzine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-galitzine/) > [I went to a performing arts high school, we learned Shakespeare, I did 'Fences.' When you train, you can do anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-wayans/i-went-to-a-performing-arts-high-school-we-learned-shakespeare-i-did/) [Marlon Wayans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-wayans/) > [ “In order to get \[Mean Streets\] made I had to learn how to make a movie," says Scorsese. "I didn't learn how to make… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-biskind/in-order-to-get-mean-streets-made-i-had-to-learn-how-to-make-a-movie/) [Peter Biskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-biskind/) > [As an adolescent, I went to charm school, where I learned to pour tea and relate to boys, which, as I recall, meant giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/as-an-adolescent-i-went-to-charm-school-where-i-learned-to-pour-tea/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [The best function of the school in my head, as it turns out, is to remind me where not to dwell. I did my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-dodd/the-best-function-of-the-school-in-my-head-as-it-turns-out-is-to/) [Sandra Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-dodd/) > [By not going to school I learned that the world is a beautiful place and needs to be discovered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-hauer/by-not-going-to-school-i-learned-that-the-world-is-a-beautiful-place/) [Rutger Hauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-hauer/) > [I'm from East Sheen, I went to public school where I learned Latin at the age of nine, and certain expectations were made of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hardy/i-m-from-east-sheen-i-went-to-public-school-where-i-learned-latin-at/) [Tom Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hardy/) > [I got an A for music and it was at school that I learned to build a beat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-got-an-a-for-music-and-it-was-at-school-that-i-learned-to-build-a/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [At the Brooklyn Ethical Culture School, we learned to express ourselves, and I've been expressing myself ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-comden/at-the-brooklyn-ethical-culture-school-we-learned-to-express/) [Betty Comden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-comden/) ## More by Poonam Dhillon > [Unlike movies, on stage there are no second chances. Everything is live. If someone messes up, forgets a line, gives the wrong cue, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/unlike-movies-on-stage-there-are-no-second-chances-everything-is-live/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I count something as successful if it pleases the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-count-something-as-successful-if-it-pleases-the-audience/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [As an actress, it is so easy to spread happiness with just a smile. That is a gift I will always cherish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/as-an-actress-it-is-so-easy-to-spread-happiness-with-just-a-smile/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I was a science student and was aiming to be an IFS officer. But, fortunately, my destiny had some other plans for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-was-a-science-student-and-was-aiming-to-be-an-ifs-officer-but/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I'm a good learner. I am fond of reading and educating myself all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-m-a-good-learner-i-am-fond-of-reading-and-educating-myself-all-the/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I was one of the first few film people to ever do television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-was-one-of-the-first-few-film-people-to-ever-do-television/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [My friends tell me that I have the wrong temperament for politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/my-friends-tell-me-that-i-have-the-wrong-temperament-for-politics/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I in fact started doing theatre before a lot of film people started doing it and I started my website before anybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-in-fact-started-doing-theatre-before-a-lot-of-film-people-started/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [On stage, you have to hype yourself for two hours. It takes up a lot of energy, leaving me totally exhausted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/on-stage-you-have-to-hype-yourself-for-two-hours-it-takes-up-a-lot-of/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I don't want to be in any rat race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-don-t-want-to-be-in-any-rat-race/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I wasn't overtly ambitious, or tried to get films by hook or crook. I always did things at my own pace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-wasn-t-overtly-ambitious-or-tried-to-get-films-by-hook-or-crook-i/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I had a very good experience while working in regional films. I have been very fortunate that way. There is no doubt that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-had-a-very-good-experience-while-working-in-regional-films-i-have/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I enjoyed working in films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-enjoyed-working-in-films/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [Life is not just about profit and loss. One should follow one's conscience and listen to the voice of one's soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/life-is-not-just-about-profit-and-loss-one-should-follow-one-s/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [I am not someone who will bare my soul on Twitter. If I am angry with somebody, I will abuse them there, if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/i-am-not-someone-who-will-bare-my-soul-on-twitter-if-i-am-angry-with/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) [Explore all 96 Poonam Dhillon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) ## 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": "I was never in an acting school. 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