Actors Quote by Terrence McNally
“I don't think I've ever written anything even remotely naturalistic. The closest probably would be seen as 'Frankie and Johnny,' and that's only 'cause they eat a sandwich and make an omelet in act two. But it's a romantic fairy tale, and I'm very aware of that. I don't think it helps the actors in my plays to lose themselves in the reality of talking to another person. A good McNally actor always knows he's in a play with an audience.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1995
The playwright admits his work is stylized, not realistic, emphasizing theatricality over naturalism to serve storytelling.
In simple terms: His plays are intentionally stylized, not realistic.
Key Takeaway
Embrace theatrical conventions over strict realism.
Themes
theatre
artistic style
authenticity
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- stage productions
- acting workshops
- script development
- director-actor collaboration
Key Concepts
stylization
meta-theatre
audience awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer realism or stylization in theatre?
- How does stylization affect audience engagement?
A Different Perspective
Overly stylized work may alienate audiences seeking realism.
