Kathleen Turner Quotes

I just don't believe you're capable of being an actor unless you have a desire to experience your emotions in a public way.

Why do you act? You act for an audience. In the theatre, you're in their presence. Film stars don't know what it is to have an audience.

I'm not trying to take anything away from film acting, because it's also really hard, and I worship the people who are great at it. But to actually have to go out on stage night after night and do it with your audience right there is so wild and scary and exciting and fun and all the things that I remember loving about it.

When I'm acting well, it's the most exhilarating experience. When I'm bad, it's miserable.

There is only so much you can do if you're pulling weight and there's nobody there to play off of. You can't have those beautiful moments with new actors who are so worried about everything else but the moment.

There are certain expectations that are put on you as a child actor, but mainly it's just turn up and say your lines with a lot of energy and a cute smile.

The first time I acted was in high school in Florida, and when I heard that applause I felt so alive and felt that electricity go up my spine.

So what's so enticing about doing a play is that you get to do that thing that got you into acting in the first place... There's a real attraction to being able to play, to just play. And that's something that theater affords you.

As soon as my foot is in the light onstage, I am home. It is what I love to do. It is what I have always loved to do.

I like playing on stage, don't get me wrong.

There are a lot of things that make up a performance, a lot of technical things. It isn't always just about pulling it up from the darkest recesses of your mind or your heart. It's your experience and your observation.

I wanted to be on the stage, doing very important emotional roles.

I love, love, love live performance. It's like walking a tightrope without the net. You better be on point; you better be balanced. You better have rehearsed it and seen it from every vantage so you can do what you do best. I do love film because it's up front in your face, and hopefully you've got a great editor.

I think there is no better training than being onstage because here's the thing: the theater requires you to act with your whole body. I think acting with your whole body gives you a root, and you can build from there.

I miss physically going out on stage and performing. That's the ultimate high.

Performing on stage is addictive. The adrenaline rush is exhilarating. When I stop touring for a couple weeks, I get antsy.

I have always felt that acting in a film is very challenging in itself. But when it comes to performing live, I think that is more challenging.

I grew up on the stage, and there's no two ways about it: you only get one chance to do your bit.

When you are doing a show, it can get really dull. You are sitting so long while they set up the lights, then you say a couple of lines, then they tear down the lights again. At least stunts are something that uses your physical energy a great deal.

I did one or two plays at school. Once I played a tree, so I never thought I would be a good actor.

All I want to do is be onstage. A performer needs to perform.

Theater is the most enriching and thrilling thing to do as an actor.

As a film actor, you don't often get that opportunity to meet with your audience and take your applause on stage.

A live audience with live reactions feeds a different sort of acting that will then inform your film work, and vice versa.

For the actors, the talent is to serve the demands that I ask of them, to do it with naturality and truth, and to be honest when we were terrified.