Meaning: This quote by Richard Foreman, a renowned playwright and avant-garde theater director, offers a thought-provoking insight into his perspective on the theater and the role of actors within it. Foreman is known for his innovative and experimental approach to theater, often challenging traditional theatrical conventions. In this quote, he expresses a sentiment that reflects his avant-garde ethos and sheds light on his critique of the perceived superficiality of traditional theatrical performances.

Foreman's statement begins with the assertion that from the age of fifteen, he held the belief that the theater was excessively preoccupied with actors' attempts to elicit love and emotional responses from the audience. This suggests that he observed a pervasive trend in the theater world where actors prioritized eliciting emotional reactions from the audience over other aspects of performance. Foreman's perspective may have been influenced by his experiences within the theater industry and his observations of the prevalent practices at the time.

The notion of actors trying to make the audience love them can be interpreted as a commentary on the perceived artificiality and insincerity that Foreman observed in traditional theatrical performances. Rather than focusing on authentic storytelling and the exploration of complex themes, actors may have been more concerned with winning the audience's favor through exaggerated emotional displays and pandering to their sentiments. This aligns with Foreman's avant-garde approach, which often seeks to challenge and subvert conventional notions of theatricality.

Furthermore, Foreman's critique of actors being "over emotional" points to his dissatisfaction with the tendency for performances to prioritize heightened emotions at the expense of nuance and subtlety. This aligns with his own artistic inclinations, as his works are characterized by their non-linear narratives, fragmented dialogue, and unconventional staging. Foreman's approach to theater emphasizes intellectual engagement and challenges audiences to question their preconceptions about the nature of performance and storytelling.

It is important to note that Foreman's perspective does not dismiss the emotional impact of theater altogether. Instead, it highlights his desire for a more sophisticated and intellectually stimulating form of theatrical expression. By critiquing the overemphasis on emotional manipulation, Foreman advocates for a reevaluation of the role of actors and the broader purpose of theater as a medium of artistic expression.

In summary, Richard Foreman's quote encapsulates his critical stance on the perceived overindulgence in emotional theatrics within traditional theater. His perspective offers valuable insights into the complexities of theatrical performance and the role of actors in shaping the audience's experience. By challenging established norms and advocating for a more intellectually stimulating form of theater, Foreman's quote serves as a compelling reflection of his avant-garde ethos and his enduring impact on the world of contemporary theater.