Quotes by Estelle Parsons

• In theater, the wellspring of the character comes from the doing of it, like a trial by fire, but in front of an audience.
• I find that there are few reviews that extol women as wonderful artists.
• We all need to go to good theater; that is what I believe will save it.
• There is some sadness for me now about acting because it used to be that there was a reverence for actors.
• The staff, stage managers, ushers all behaved as if they respected the actors.
• People who call themselves actors and can't ever get work; they do need to get another profession.
• It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it.
• I think in small towns like this one, whether you're a man or a woman, you basically do what there is to do.
• I mean, there are times when you aren't working, but still believe that work will come.
• I like time off because I also have a life outside of theater.
• When I see what I want, I do it.
• I have never been interested in specific roles.
• You can't just trust to luck; you have to really listen to what that character is telling you.
• I believe in things that move people, if the audience isn't deeply caught up and moved to either laughter or tears then I don't think it is theater.
• Getting work in theater has always been sort of cyclical.
• For anyone with half a brain they can see that this play is about the human condition.
• Don't forget the prices are so high in theater; it isn't really where a young person can go on a date and buy two tickets and take someone out anymore.
• But today I felt different, today I forgot how long it takes to get into the skin of a character and I remembered it, because today I actually got into that skin and it felt so different.
• At this point the theater America is in such a precarious place.
• All of the generations go to what is chic for them, and theater seems to be an older generation's art form.
• Acting is very start and stop.
• I know people like spectacle, but I'm interested in moving people.
• I talked with Brian Stokes Mitchell, who agreed with me that if you have a gift there is always stuff to do.