Audra McDonald Quotes - BrainyQuote

American - Actress Born: July 3, 1970

I've spent my whole career trying to stay out of any box that anyone could put me in. 'I'm going to do a play now.' 'Now I'll do a musical.' That was my instinct. So I don't feel boxed in. But 'African-American woman' is part of my identity. I don't want to relinquish that - especially as a mother, helping my daughter find her identity.

Me Mother Daughter Woman

'Go Back Home' encompasses not only actual geographic location but also, for me, back home in the worlds of music and theatre, and back home in terms of making albums again. There are lots of meanings to that.

Music Me Home Go

All you can do is do good work, and do the good work for the sake of doing the good work and your evolution as an artist. That's what's most important to me.

Work Good Me You

The arts are so important not only to society but to ourselves as human beings. It keeps in touch with our own humanity. So access to the arts in any way, shape, or form is vital.

Society Humanity Way Important

Without theater, I don't think I would have thought I was a smart person or excelled at anything.

Smart Think Thought Person

I choose things that challenge me. I was afraid of the camera - that's why I chose to do 'Private Practice.' It's not like I left the theater.

Me Challenge Camera Practice

I came from a really musical family. I studied classical piano because my grandparents were piano teachers, but started doing musical theater at age nine in Fresno, California, and went to a performing arts high school. That was my life.

Life Family Age My Life

The authentic Gullah dialect is actually very clipped, and so it would sound almost Jamaican and be very odd to an American audience's ears. It's not the typical Southern dialect that we're used to.

Sound American Audience Used

Anytime I get the chance to sing or work with Michael John, it is such an incredibly fertile and incredibly creative and safe and encouraging environment - and challenging, too, because he is so collaborative!

Work Chance Creative Environment

I certainly miss playing piano, and I really wish I did it more - it's really a very therapeutic thing to do for me. I just need to be home for more than a few minutes to be able to play more, I guess.

Me Home Wish Play

Top 10
Audra McDonald
Quotes

One thing that is constantly on my iPod is India Arie - I like her a lot; I listen to her a lot. I think she is just a spectacular artist.

Think Artist India Like

I used to practice Tony speeches in my bathroom with my hairbrush.

Practice Bathroom Used Speeches

I loved my time doing 'Private Practice' in Los Angeles, and I was quite challenged and excited to learn about the art of television, but I missed being on the stage.

Time Art Loved Practice

When you become a parent, it blows you open in ways that you never thought possible in terms of a level of love that I know I never thought I could possibly have.

Love You Parent Thought

The authentic Gullah dialect is actually very clipped, and so it would sound almost Jamaican and be very odd to an American audience's ears. It's not the typical Southern dialect that we're used to. It has a much more percussive rhythm to it.

Sound American More Audience

I feel a connection to many songs that I won't sing because I don't think they are right for me! There is something in my gut that immediately responds. There's no science to it.

Science Me Feel Think

I auditioned for Julliard because I wanted to live in New York, and I wanted to be on Broadway at the time. Julliard seemed like right way to get there.

Time Live Way New

When I wanted to audition for a dinner-theater junior troupe in my hometown, I needed to have a piece of musical theater music to sing. I wasn't sure what I wanted to use. My mom and dad suggested that I sing 'Edelweiss' because I knew it from the music box.

Music Dad Mom Mom And Dad

When I first was exposed to 'Porgy and Bess' many, many years ago, I was blown away by it - loved the music, overwhelmed by the production at the Met that I saw, and thought I want to play Bess someday. But I also knew they were stereotypes that were considered racist.

Music Loved Thought Stereotypes

I admire but don't envy people who have children and also have big, wonderful perfect houses. Maybe Martha Stewart could do it; to me those two things aren't compatible, but I know our children will grow up with a feeling that home is a place of comfort.

Me Home Children People

I am always so excited to get to know a new audience. My concerts are very personal experiences.

I Am New Know Always

I grew up in a nonprofit theater company in the heartland of central California, so I am very aware of the importance that company had not only on my life but my community.

Life I Am My Life Community

I never in a million years thought that my life would unfold the way it has.

Life My Life Way Thought

I've been so lucky, with incredible mentors along the way, that now I need to be that for someone else.

Way Someone Lucky Need

I love talking with elderly people.

Love People Talking Elderly

Parenthood is an adventure.

Adventure Parenthood

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