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Quote by Viola Davis

“Lloyd Richards is another director who was like that, who was a teacher.”

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American actress known for her exceptional performances in theater, film, and television. Her success in both the Broadway and television worlds has made her the first African American actress to win a Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award. more

“I didn't want to audition the kids so much; I just wanted to talk to them because I like seeing how they are because their mothers usually mess them up with practice. So, I'd rather talk to them and see how they respond. I just throw things at them and see how they can hit the ball back, and Saniyya Sidney was good.”

Want Kids Wanted Mother Practice Seeing Balls Mess Auditions

Author:Denzel Washington

“I even asked [Saniyya Sidney] why she wanted to be an actor and she said, "I'm serious about this. These other little kids they want to play, and I don't have time for that."”

Want Littles Said Play Kids Wanted Actors Serious Little Kid

Author:Denzel Washington

“[Saniyya Sidney] was very serious about her work and her craft, and she wanted to be good, and she wanted to work on it. So I said, "Ok." It was as simple as that. She was just right. She just has it.”

Said Wanted Simple Serious Be Good Crafts

Author:Denzel Washington

“I worked with Sidney Lumet years ago, and we had a long rehearsal process, and he would tape out the entire set on the stage, so I stole that from him.”

Years Long Process Stage Years Ago Tape Rehearsal

Author:Denzel Washington

“We rehearsed for two weeks [in "Fences"], and we taped out the whole house in the front, and the rooms, and we stood it up like a play. We tried to get off book and gave people small props.”

People Two Book Play Whole House Rooms Week Fronts Fence Two Weeks Props

Author:Denzel Washington

“What we did [shooting "Fences"] was we got young students from Carnegie Mellon, the acting and theater students, and we had them as our understudies. I told them, "You have to be off book and be ready. If Viola [Davis] has to leave you have to jump in."”

Ifs Book Young Acting Students Ready Theater Shooting Fence Carnegie Viola Young Students Understudies Carnegie Mellon

Author:Denzel Washington

“I had the kid [on "Fences" ] who understudied me so I could stand back and think about shots so he had to learn the blocking and everything. I'd come in early sometimes, and they 'd be in there rehearsing and working on their stuff. I didn't want them to feel like, "Oh these are people who can't be touched." We're all working actors; we're all trying to get better.”

People Thinking Want Feels Trying Sometimes Kids Actors Stuff Shots Block Get Better Touched Fence Rehearsing

Author:Denzel Washington

“It's tricky with monologues, and I never like to use that word. Like I told the actors, you are talking to somebody; there is no such thing as a monologue.”

Use Actors Talking Tricky Monologues

Author:Denzel Washington

“[Having monologue] are talking to somebody even if it's just to yourself, convince yourself if that's what you're trying to do.”

Ifs Trying Talking Convince Monologues

Author:Denzel Washington

Quote by Viola Davis

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