--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once in a while, there's stuff that makes…" description: "\"Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on the stage, and that doesn't happen very of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png" --- # Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's… ![“Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on the stage, and that doesn't happen very often.” quote by Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png) > “Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on the stage, and that doesn't happen very often.” [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Theatre should evoke genuine human moments, which are rare and precious on stage. **In simple terms:** Theatre's power lies in authentic human events. Key Takeaway Seek authenticity in performance. Themes theatre authenticity humanity rarity Mood inspirational critical Type theatrical reflective When to use this quote - stage productions - acting workshops - audience connection Key Concepts presence empathy craft Questions to Reflect On - What moments on stage felt truly human? - How can actors create more authentic scenes? A Different Perspective Commercial theatre often prioritizes spectacle over authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Once in awhile, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on the stage, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/once-in-awhile-there-s-stuff-that-makes-me-say-that-s-what-theatre-s/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [The only thing I fear is when people say, 'I should go to the theatre more.' I say, 'We should create work that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/the-only-thing-i-fear-is-when-people-say-i-should-go-to-the-theatre/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [I hate the word 'production'. It's a ceremony, a ritual - you should go out of the theatre more human than when you went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariane-mnouchkine/i-hate-the-word-production-it-s-a-ceremony-a-ritual-you-should-go-out/) Ariane Mnouchkine > [People and places are the twin pillars on which most nonfiction is built. Every human event happens somewhere, and the reader wants to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zinsser/people-and-places-are-the-twin-pillars-on-which-most-nonfiction-is/) [William Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zinsser/) > [If you interview five people about the same incident, and you see five different points of view, it makes you know what makes history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/if-you-interview-five-people-about-the-same-incident-and-you-see-five/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [To me, the Holocaust stands alone as the most horrible human event in modern civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shapiro/to-me-the-holocaust-stands-alone-as-the-most-horrible-human-event-in/) [Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shapiro/) > [I love the stage, but it doesn't pay the mortgage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harewood/i-love-the-stage-but-it-doesn-t-pay-the-mortgage/) [David Harewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harewood/) > [The latest trend seems to be these DJs doing pre-recorded sets, in perfect pitch with the lights & acts on stage. Everything is centred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-de-clercq/the-latest-trend-seems-to-be-these-djs-doing-pre-recorded-sets-in/) [Eddy de Clercq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-de-clercq/) > [The truth is, unlike TV and film cameras, the theater stage doesn't add 10 pounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-ramirez/the-truth-is-unlike-tv-and-film-cameras-the-theater-stage-doesn-t-add/) [Sara Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-ramirez/) > [“If the stage doesn´t change you, you can change people without being on a stage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-the-stage-doesn-t-change-you-you-can-change-people-without-being/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [Just because you've been on stage doesn't mean you can dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-stevens/just-because-you-ve-been-on-stage-doesn-t-mean-you-can-dance/) [Rachel Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-stevens/) > [“That's how it is: even in the throes of death, man is always on stage. And even 'the plainest' of them, the least exhibitionist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/that-s-how-it-is-even-in-the-throes-of-death-man-is-always-on-stage/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [A joke bombing on stage doesn't bother me, especially if it's intended to bomb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-foley/a-joke-bombing-on-stage-doesn-t-bother-me-especially-if-it-s-intended/) [Mick Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-foley/) > [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/) > [Obama has been well-received on the world stage, but that doesn't help him operate domestically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-forti/obama-has-been-well-received-on-the-world-stage-but-that-doesn-t-help/) [Carl Forti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-forti/) ## More by Uta Hagen > [All tedious research is worth one inspired moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/all-tedious-research-is-worth-one-inspired-moment/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [I won't go to England because they won't let my dog in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/i-won-t-go-to-england-because-they-won-t-let-my-dog-in/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [The need to be loved and protected is at a peak when we feel abandoned and are particularly vulnerable to difficult circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/the-need-to-be-loved-and-protected-is-at-a-peak-when-we-feel/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [One cannot demand of art that it pay you in any other way than in the satisfaction of the work itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/one-cannot-demand-of-art-that-it-pay-you-in-any-other-way-than-in-the/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [Theoretically, the actor ought to be more sound in mind and body than other people, since he learns to understand the psychological problems of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/theoretically-the-actor-ought-to-be-more-sound-in-mind-and-body-than/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [The knowledge that every day there is something more to learn, something higher to reach for, something new to make for others, makes each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/the-knowledge-that-every-day-there-is-something-more-to-learn/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [We had a relationship that lasted 44 years. Herbert and I lived together 10 years before we were married. He always gave me a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/we-had-a-relationship-that-lasted-44-years-herbert-and-i-lived/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [To rebel or revolt against the status quo is in the very nature of an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/to-rebel-or-revolt-against-the-status-quo-is-in-the-very-nature-of-an/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [I love going to the movies; I love watching good movie actors. They must know something I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/i-love-going-to-the-movies-i-love-watching-good-movie-actors-they/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [The actor must know that since he, himself, is the instrument, he must play on it to serve the character with the same effortless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/the-actor-must-know-that-since-he-himself-is-the-instrument-he-must/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [I think, by and large, the level of acting is mediocre. When I go to the theatre, I get so angry. I don't go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/i-think-by-and-large-the-level-of-acting-is-mediocre-when-i-go-to-the/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [Maybe the one I enjoyed playing most was A Month in the Country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/maybe-the-one-i-enjoyed-playing-most-was-a-month-in-the-country/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [We were not allowed to say, Screw, but we could say, Hump the hostess, because hump is in Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/we-were-not-allowed-to-say-screw-but-we-could-say-hump-the-hostess/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [Usually, someone who's in a show gets me a ticket. I feel cornered. I can't walk out if I don't like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/usually-someone-who-s-in-a-show-gets-me-a-ticket-i-feel-cornered-i/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) > [Keep pace with the present. Take a trip to the moon. envision the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/keep-pace-with-the-present-take-a-trip-to-the-moon-envision-the-future/) [Uta Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) [Explore all 31 Uta Hagen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on the stage, and that doesn't happen very often.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Uta Hagen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes-me-say-that-s-what-theatre-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes-me-say-that-s-what-theatre-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2de/uta-hagen-19916_actor_once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes_2188893.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once in a while, there's stuff that makes me say, That's what theatre's about. It has to be a human event on…” — Uta Hagen", "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": "Uta Hagen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uta-hagen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Once in a while, there's stuff...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes-me-say-that-s-what-theatre-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uta-hagen/once-in-a-while-there-s-stuff-that-makes-me-say-that-s-what-theatre-s/#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 } } ] } ```