--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great thing about playing a character…" description: "\"The great thing about playing a character that's similar to the audience, or similar to you, is that you get to have the same reaction that you would a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg" --- # The great thing about playing a character that's similar… ![“The great thing about playing a character that's similar to the audience, or similar to you, is that you get to have the same reaction that you would actually have to whatever's going on.” quote by Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg) > “The great thing about playing a character that's similar to the audience, or similar to you, is that you get to have the same reaction that you would actually have to whatever's going on.” [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Playing a relatable character lets the audience share the same emotional response as the actor, deepening connection. **In simple terms:** Relatable roles create shared feelings. Key Takeaway Choose roles that mirror audience experience. Themes acting empathy connection audience character Mood empathetic introspective engaging Type dramatic psychological When to use this quote - theatre - film - improv workshops - character studies - audience engagement Key Concepts psychology performance art narrative theory Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing yourself in a character affect you? - When does empathy become over‑identification? A Different Perspective Over-identification may blur personal boundaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) ## Related quotes > [For every action, there will always be a reaction. Actually, people who do wrong to me or hurt me, something unpleasant surely happens to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zareen-khan/for-every-action-there-will-always-be-a-reaction-actually-people-who/) [Zareen Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zareen-khan/) > [7th Heaven is quite a hit for them now, and they are hoping to appeal to a very similar audience with our show; skewed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-harrison/7th-heaven-is-quite-a-hit-for-them-now-and-they-are-hoping-to-appeal/) [Gregory Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-harrison/) > [On the last day of our five-day work week, we did two performances and we had an audience. It was similar to theatre; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-stapleton/on-the-last-day-of-our-five-day-work-week-we-did-two-performances-and/) [Jean Stapleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-stapleton/) > [The JBL character, I had had in mind for a long time, a character very similar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-layfield/the-jbl-character-i-had-had-in-mind-for-a-long-time-a-character-very/) [John Layfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-layfield/) > [If you're playing a character who says whatever he wants, I felt free to say whatever I wanted on set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/if-you-re-playing-a-character-who-says-whatever-he-wants-i-felt-free/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [I often have a few scents depending on if I'm playing a character. The character may be wearing a scent that perhaps I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/i-often-have-a-few-scents-depending-on-if-i-m-playing-a-character-the/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [There's something safe about playing a character, but then it's like, 'Who am I underneath it all?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-rossum/there-s-something-safe-about-playing-a-character-but-then-it-s-like/) [Emmy Rossum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-rossum/) > [I'd got over playing a character. People accepted who I was, and if I was incompetent and useless, they felt quite endeared to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-palin/i-d-got-over-playing-a-character-people-accepted-who-i-was-and-if-i/) [Michael Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-palin/) > [In my case I don't mind playing a character that irritates people or makes people question my sanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/in-my-case-i-don-t-mind-playing-a-character-that-irritates-people-or/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [I don't want to get stuck playing the same character over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-vega/i-don-t-want-to-get-stuck-playing-the-same-character-over-and-over/) [Alexa Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-vega/) > [Both are two different things. As a VJ, you are yourself. But as an actor, you are playing a character that you want people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhea-chakraborty/both-are-two-different-things-as-a-vj-you-are-yourself-but-as-an/) [Rhea Chakraborty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhea-chakraborty/) > [When you're playing the same character for a decade it's natural that there are moments when you want to try something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-schwimmer/when-you-re-playing-the-same-character-for-a-decade-it-s-natural-that/) [David Schwimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-schwimmer/) > [ For me, I have having the time of my life playing this character \[Louis Litt\]. At times, it's unbelievably challenging and scary, when it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hoffman/for-me-i-have-having-the-time-of-my-life-playing-this-character-louis/) [Rick Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hoffman/) > [I have to put my father over because he really taught me a lot, especially when it comes to out-of-the-ring psychology and how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-orton/i-have-to-put-my-father-over-because-he-really-taught-me-a-lot/) [Randy Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-orton/) > [I have played several characters that are crabby and cranky. I don't know if I'm just not a very well-developed human being or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-have-played-several-characters-that-are-crabby-and-cranky-i-don-t/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) ## More by Topher Grace > [You can tell when someone is just trying to use you. It becomes just someone who's hanging around. Whenever someone sucks up to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/you-can-tell-when-someone-is-just-trying-to-use-you-it-becomes-just/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I really loved when I started doing '70s Show,' though I had never acted before, so it was a great training ground being on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-really-loved-when-i-started-doing-70s-show-though-i-had-never-acted/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [The great thing about a sitcom is that you're in front of a live audience, so you really get in touch with what audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-great-thing-about-a-sitcom-is-that-you-re-in-front-of-a-live/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I really need a therapist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-really-need-a-therapist/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [The whole acting thing is a buffet. One, in terms of role choice and movie choice, I like to do lots of different things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-whole-acting-thing-is-a-buffet-one-in-terms-of-role-choice-and/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I don't want to be an editor - I want to be really forward about that. I would be a horrible editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-don-t-want-to-be-an-editor-i-want-to-be-really-forward-about-that-i/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [Sometimes I get mad when I think that I only have maybe 40 or 50 more springs in New York. When I miss one,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/sometimes-i-get-mad-when-i-think-that-i-only-have-maybe-40-or-50-more/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [The script is a blueprint for the film - there are very few bad scripts that make good movies. If you really like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-script-is-a-blueprint-for-the-film-there-are-very-few-bad-scripts/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [It's kind of like, I love doing tons of different things. The only thing I hate is not being in ensembles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/it-s-kind-of-like-i-love-doing-tons-of-different-things-the-only/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I do have a concern about projecting. I've never projected or had any reason to project before. In fact, the camera has only gotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-do-have-a-concern-about-projecting-i-ve-never-projected-or-had-any/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I feel bad for young actors who become huge stars too quickly, because you haven't had a chance to practice your craft a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-feel-bad-for-young-actors-who-become-huge-stars-too-quickly-because/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [I love working with people who can teach me, because they're masters of the same business I'm in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/i-love-working-with-people-who-can-teach-me-because-they-re-masters/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [My dad was a businessman, and he would say, 'Work for free at the best company. Don't get paid a lot of money to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/my-dad-was-a-businessman-and-he-would-say-work-for-free-at-the-best/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [My folks still live in my childhood home, and so when I'm home with them, I usually feel the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/my-folks-still-live-in-my-childhood-home-and-so-when-i-m-home-with/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) > [Happiness, sadness, being mean and being nice. They're all very close to one another. My goal in my career is to do movies that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/happiness-sadness-being-mean-and-being-nice-they-re-all-very-close-to/) [Topher Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) [Explore all 40 Topher Grace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I feel I have been playing all primary characters. And if your character forms a connect with the audience, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/i-feel-i-have-been-playing-all-primary-characters-and-if-your/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The great thing about playing a character that's similar to the audience, or similar to you, is that you get to have the same reaction that you would actually have to whatever's going on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Topher Grace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-great-thing-about-playing-a-character-that-s-similar-to-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Audience" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-great-thing-about-playing-a-character-that-s-similar-to-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/topher-grace-16165_audience_the-great-thing-about-playing-a-characte_375859.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The great thing about playing a character that's similar to the audience, or similar to you, is that you get…” — Topher Grace", "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": "Topher Grace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/topher-grace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The great thing about playing a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-great-thing-about-playing-a-character-that-s-similar-to-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/topher-grace/the-great-thing-about-playing-a-character-that-s-similar-to-the/#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 } } ] } ```