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
As a playwright, you are a torturer of actors and of the audience as well. You inflict things on people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the complex role of a playwright in evoking strong emotions from both actors and audiences.
Tony Kushner's quote highlights the dual focus of a playwright: not only must the playwright challenge and push actors to deliver their best performances, but they must also engage the audience in a way that provokes thought and emotion. The term 'torturer' illustrates the intensity of this creative process, suggesting that art often requires an exploration of difficult themes or emotions, thereby transforming both the performers and spectators through that shared experience.
Themes
PlaywrightArtEmotionAudienceActors
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a talk about the emotional impact of theater at a drama festival.
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