Every play is rhythmic control. If you want an audience to go on a journey, it's rhythmic control. You're crafting when they lean in, when they push back, when they breathe, when they surrender.
George C. WolfeRead
When you're writing, in theory, everybody is serving you. When you're directing, you're serving everybody - in the guise of acting like everybody's serving you. But you're really serving the materials. You're serving the actors. You're in charge, but it's not free.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the dual nature of creative roles in storytelling, where a writer is served by their characters, while a director serves everyone involved in the production.
George C. Wolfe reflects on the contrasting dynamics of writing and directing in the creative process. As a writer, one is often seen as the central figure, with characters and narratives created to serve their vision. However, in directing, the role shifts to one of service where the director must care for the needs of the actors and the overall production, guiding them while also being accountable to the material itself. This interdependence illustrates the collaborative nature of artistry in performance, where leadership requires humility and dedication to the craft and the people involved.
Themes
WritingDirectingArtServiceCreativityTheater
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be inspiring during a workshop about collaborative storytelling.
More from George C. Wolfe
All quotes βOne of the things I learned very early on was that if you cast the show correctly, and if you've created the right energy in the room, the solution is also in the room. The solution doesn't necessarily come from someone, but if everybody is working in a very steadfast and rigorous way, then everything you're looking for is in the room.
George C. WolfeRead
A musical is what happens when text collides with motion collides with song collides with spectacle. And spectacle can be the human heart; it doesn't necessarily have to be a helicopter crashing.
George C. WolfeRead
The wonderful thing about theater is that it has so many people involved in the creation of it. The worst thing about theater is that it has so many people involved in the creation of it. That dynamic is thrilling and challenging every time you make a show.
George C. WolfeRead
I was raised to believe that other people's suffering was my responsibility.
George C. WolfeRead
I think I am the first person of color to direct a major white play on Broadway. In 1993? That's astounding to me. And horrifying to me.
George C. WolfeRead
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