Stella Adler Quotes

You have to understand your best. Your best isn't Barrymore's best or Olivier's best or my best, but your own. Every person has his norm. And in that norm every person is a star. Olivier could stand on his head and still not be you. Only you can be you. What a privilege! Nobody can reach what you can if you do it. So do it. We need your best, your voice, your body. We don't need for you to imitate anybody, because that would be second best. And second best is no better than your worst.

The best author is a dead author, because he's out of your way and you own the play. Take what he has given you and use it for what you need.

You have to do something. If you do something, you become somebody. Even a daffodil does something, has a profession. It gives off scent, professionally.

Be innocent, wise and ninety-five.

You cannot afford to confine your studies to the classroom. The universe and all of history is your classroom.

If you can't take both sides, it means you can only play yourself.

No actor is a success unless he feels inside himself, as long as he lives, that he is good.

life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one

The thing that makes you say, "I want to do something" - that is the beginning of talent.

You will only fail to learn if you do not learn from failing.

You will fail. That's great. Here's a secret for you - that's the only way you can learn. Learning has to cost you something. If you fail but learn something from your failure, you will grow.

You'll never really be great unless you aim high.

The imagination is closer to the actor than real life-more agreeable, more comfortable.

You should want to act only because you want to be led to something bigger in life.