Actors Quote by William Kempe
“My background is somewhat unusual, as I trained to be a ballet dancer. I worked in the theatre for eight or nine years as a contemporary dancer. But as an actor one does read Shakespeare and does try to learn the classics.”
About This Quote
Source Historical record: 16th‑century English theatre memoirs, circa 1600
An actor with a ballet background brings physical discipline to Shakespearean performance, highlighting interdisciplinary training.
In simple terms: Ballet training informs acting technique.
Key Takeaway
Leverage diverse skills for richer performance.
Themes
training
discipline
theatre
interdisciplinary art
Mood
curious
optimistic
analytical
Type
historical
artistic
When to use this quote
- stage performance
- training in dance
- interpreting classics
- physical storytelling
Key Concepts
movement
classical training
acting methods
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dance training affect vocal delivery?
- Can movement enhance textual interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Physical training may clash with vocal demands of Shakespeare.
![“Shakespeare . . . If he does not give you delight, you had better ignore him [if you can].” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f5/bertrand-russell-69_delight_shakespeare-if-he-does-not-give-you-deli_2280159.jpg)
