--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I often say of my background: \"That and a…" description: "\"I often say of my background: \"That and a Metrocard will get me downtown.\" Honestly, I think the upshot of my training in acting and writing is that I'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/steven-c-harper-42786_acting_i-often-say-of-my-background-that-and-a_1203031.jpg" --- # I often say of my background: "That and a Metrocard will… ![“I often say of my background: "That and a Metrocard will get me downtown." Honestly, I think the upshot of my training in acting and writing is that I've been trained to be adventurous. There are so many moments in conservatory where I was encouraged to push the envelope and color outside the…” quote by Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/steven-c-harper-42786_acting_i-often-say-of-my-background-that-and-a_1203031.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/steven-c-harper-42786_acting_i-often-say-of-my-background-that-and-a_1203031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/steven-c-harper-42786_acting_i-often-say-of-my-background-that-and-a_1203031.jpg) > “I often say of my background: "That and a Metrocard will get me downtown." Honestly, I think the upshot of my training in acting and writing is that I've been trained to be adventurous. There are so many moments in conservatory where I was encouraged to push the envelope and color outside the lines. I think that sense of bravery flavors what I do. It allows me to take chances that I might not otherwise take.” [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Training in performance arts cultivates adventurousness, encouraging risk‑taking and creative bravery in professional work. **In simple terms:** Acting training fosters boldness and willingness to experiment. Key Takeaway Embrace daring choices in your craft. Themes creativity adventure risk‑taking Mood excited confident Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - stage auditions - writing projects - creative brainstorming - career pivots Key Concepts performance arts personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you channel adventurousness without reckless risk? - What safeguards help you stay grounded while pushing boundaries? A Different Perspective Boldness can lead to failure if not balanced with preparation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Adventurous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventurous/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Take a chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take-a-chance/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think I just want to leave my mark in some way. I hope I leave the world a better place than it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-colfer/i-think-i-just-want-to-leave-my-mark-in-some-way-i-hope-i-leave-the/) [Chris Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-colfer/) > [I was always interested in acting and writing, and I honestly thought I'd make my name as a scriptwriter one day. But somehow, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-bowie/i-was-always-interested-in-acting-and-writing-and-i-honestly-thought/) [Angela Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-bowie/) > [When I'm acting, that's all I'm doing. When I'm not acting, I'm not thinking about acting. If I'm writing, I'm just writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hill-harper/when-i-m-acting-that-s-all-i-m-doing-when-i-m-not-acting-i-m-not/) [Hill Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hill-harper/) > [Writing, for me, when I'm writing in the first-person, is like a form of acting. So as I'm writing, the character or self I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-heti/writing-for-me-when-i-m-writing-in-the-first-person-is-like-a-form-of/) [Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heti/) > [I've been acting for so long it's more like - I won't say easy, exactly, but there's not the same angst with writing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringwald/i-ve-been-acting-for-so-long-it-s-more-like-i-won-t-say-easy-exactly/) [Molly Ringwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringwald/) > [There is nothing that one can say about acting, writing, producing or directing that cannot be revoked in the next breath. Nothing is immutable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moss-hart/there-is-nothing-that-one-can-say-about-acting-writing-producing-or/) [Moss Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moss-hart/) > [I'm way more in my head acting than I am when I'm writing. So there's a weird love/hate on both ends. But writing, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-holm/i-m-way-more-in-my-head-acting-than-i-am-when-i-m-writing-so-there-s/) [Anders Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-holm/) > [I treat both acting and writing as a creation - writing is just another element or aspect of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meital-dohan/i-treat-both-acting-and-writing-as-a-creation-writing-is-just-another/) [Meital Dohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meital-dohan/) > [I think in some ways, acting and writing are the same. You're getting inside the skin of someone else; you're creating their language and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-think-in-some-ways-acting-and-writing-are-the-same-you-re-getting/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [In any creative endeavor, you do have to sort of take your shots. 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That's one of the reasons I went down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-castellaneta/i-always-enjoyed-writing-i-did-playlets-in-high-school-i-did-radio/) [Dan Castellaneta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-castellaneta/) > [I'm not an emotional person; I keep it in, and I wouldn't know how to get it out if it weren't for acting and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-m-not-an-emotional-person-i-keep-it-in-and-i-wouldn-t-know-how-to/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I was participating in acting and writing for other shows and I knew that eventually I wanted a sitcom of my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quinta-brunson/i-was-participating-in-acting-and-writing-for-other-shows-and-i-knew/) [Quinta Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quinta-brunson/) > [Often actors ask me if I think they should go on trying to be an actor. I have the same answer for everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shurtleff/often-actors-ask-me-if-i-think-they-should-go-on-trying-to-be-an/) [Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shurtleff/) > [I like writing, and I enjoy it. It's painful. You can't get around the pain of writing. I'm still trying to balance on what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gbenga-akinnagbe/i-like-writing-and-i-enjoy-it-it-s-painful-you-can-t-get-around-the/) [Gbenga Akinnagbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gbenga-akinnagbe/) ## More by Steven C. Harper > [Writing for television is a great job. And it's a job. Most people watch TV and have a comment about one or two moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/writing-for-television-is-a-great-job-and-it-s-a-job-most-people/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [I'm really fortunate to have been to the schools I've been to, and to have the experiences I've had. And, partly since my parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/i-m-really-fortunate-to-have-been-to-the-schools-i-ve-been-to-and-to/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [In the beginning this was just an idea. Then it was a short story. Then it was a script. Each step was pretty exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/in-the-beginning-this-was-just-an-idea-then-it-was-a-short-story-then/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [Balance is a tricky thing. I love my work and that helps. And I work a lot. So I spend a fair amount of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/balance-is-a-tricky-thing-i-love-my-work-and-that-helps-and-i-work-a/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [I've always loved theatre because it's so immediate. The challenge of it is that, career wise, it's easier to get traction in the industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/i-ve-always-loved-theatre-because-it-s-so-immediate-the-challenge-of/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [Coaching is my way of helping aspiring and professional writers get the kind of help and guidance that it took me years to piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/coaching-is-my-way-of-helping-aspiring-and-professional-writers-get/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [I decided to try to make a show of my own where I could invite an audience to obsess about race the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/i-decided-to-try-to-make-a-show-of-my-own-where-i-could-invite-an/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [I honestly think if I had made a ton of money as an actor, I wouldn't have done anything else. (Hah!) Then I turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/i-honestly-think-if-i-had-made-a-ton-of-money-as-an-actor-i-wouldn-t/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) > [As a writer I'm committed to exploring what I call "The invisible things" - the things that people aren't talking about. I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-harper/as-a-writer-i-m-committed-to-exploring-what-i-call-the-invisible/) [Steven C. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) [Explore all 10 Steven C. Harper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-harper/) ## 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. 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