A handful of works in history have had a direct impact on social policy: one or two works of Dickens, some of Zola, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and, in modern drama, Larry Kramer's 'The Normal Heart.'
Tony KushnerRead
God knows I've had productions where there were actors in my plays who were making more money per week than I was.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the disparity in compensation between playwrights and actors, emphasizing the struggle of creative professionals.
Tony Kushner's quote reflects the often overlooked reality of the theater world, where writers and playwrights, despite having created the foundation of the production, may earn significantly less than the actors who perform their works. This serves as a commentary on the value placed on different roles within the arts and the economic challenges faced by those who craft stories.
Themes
TheaterPlaywrightActorsDisparityArtCompensation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the financial struggles of theater, one might cite Tony Kushner's quote to illustrate the challenges that playwrights face.
More from Tony Kushner
All quotes →Artists know that diligence counts as much, if not more, as inspiration; in art, as in politics, patience counts as much as revolution.
Tony KushnerRead
I don't understand why I'm not dead. When your heart breaks, you should die
Tony KushnerRead
In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead.
Tony KushnerRead
The way that same-sex marriage should reach the federal level is that it absolutely should be decided by the Supreme Court as quickly as possible. It's a 14th Amendment issue. There's no argument about it.
Tony KushnerRead
Gay TV has been immensely important in transforming American culture in a more gay-positive direction.
Tony KushnerRead
Similar quotes
I have a feeling, one of those gut feelings, that I'll make pretty good movies the rest of my life.
Paul Thomas AndersonRead
Good improvisers seem telepathic; everything looks pre-arranged, This is because they accept all offers made—which is something no ‘normal’ person would do.
Keith JohnstoneRead
Good writers borrow from other writers. Great writers steal from them outright.
Aaron SorkinRead
To build means to make architecture real on the borders of knowledge.
Frei OttoRead
All writing, all art, is an act of faith. If one tries to contribute to human understanding, how can that be called decadent? It's like saying a declaration of love is an act of decadence. Any work of art, provide it springs from a sincere motivation to further understanding between people, is an act of faith and therefore is an act of love.
Truman CapoteRead
The big catalyst was seeing my sister, when I was 11, doing a dramatic recital. When I saw her on the stage and everyone listening to her so patiently, quietly, that's all I wanted: for someone to look at me and listen to me, but in some beautiful and artistic way.
Gene WilderRead