Inevitably, every part an actor plays contains some of himself.
Interpretation
An actor brings a part of their own personality to every role they portray.
This quote by David Suchet highlights the intrinsic connection between an actor and their roles, suggesting that no matter how different a character may be from the actor's true self, there will always be elements of the actor's identity and experience embedded in their performance. This fusion of self and character enhances the authenticity and depth of the portrayal, revealing the personal nature of acting as both an art form and a reflection of the human experience.
In practice
During a theater class, I used this quote to explain how actors connect with their characters.
When I was 18 and not sure whether I wanted to be an actor, I realised that a playwright has no voice without an actor. That's my reason for acting: to get that character as right as possible for my writer. And I have never changed my philosophy.
Perhaps the meaning of all human activity lies in the artistic consciousness, in the pointless and selfless creative act? Perhaps our capacity to create is evidence that we ourselves were created in the image and likeness of God?
In a rehearsal room, your real resource as an actor aren't the things around you; your resources are your imagination and your director and the other actors. In those close quarters, your imagination and your skills are what you turn to.
Howard Hughes was this visionary who was obsessed with speed and flying like a god... I loved his idea of what filmmaking was.
The pointes for girls, I always say, have to be like an elephant's trunk; strong and yet flexible and soft.
The reason why the music [jazz] is important is because it's an art form-an ancient art form-that takes in the mythology of our people.
A playwright lives in an occupied country. And if you can't live that way you don't stay.
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