Wallace Shawn
Wallace Shawn
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Wallace Michael Shawn is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on December 12, 1943, in New York City, USA. Still active today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Actor, Playwright, Screenwriter
Early Life and Background
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Wallace Shawn was born into a wealthy family. His father, William Shawn, was the editor of _The New Yorker_ magazine from 1952 to 1987. This upbringing exposed him to literature, politics, and culture from an early age. Shawn grew up in Manhattan, attending private schools and developing an interest in acting and writing.
Major Accomplishments
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Shawn's breakthrough came when he co-founded the theater company _The Wooster Group_ with Elizabeth LeCompte in 1975. He is also known for his work as a playwright, having written several plays that explore themes of power, class, and identity.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works include:
"Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter" (1987) - A novel about love, family, and identity.
"My Dinner with Andre" (1981) - A film co-written by Shawn that explores themes of existentialism and human connection.
Impact and Legacy
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Wallace Shawn's work has had a significant impact on the world of theater and literature. His plays often challenge social norms and conventions, sparking important conversations about power dynamics and personal relationships.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Shawn is widely quoted for his insightful and provocative views on life, love, and society. His quotes offer a glimpse into his unique perspective as an artist and thinker.
Wallace Shawn continues to be active in the world of theater and literature, offering new works and perspectives that inspire audiences worldwide.
Quotes by Wallace Shawn
Wallace Shawn's insights on:
If I had even the tiniest scrap of advice to give to a young actor who was figuring out how to audition, I would say don't memorize the script... The reality about auditions is that 98 percent of the results has to do with what you are, not with what you did in the audition.
For me, a play is a form of writing which isn’t complete until it is interpreted by actors. But it’s still a form of writing. And so most of my time is spent thinking about how to write a sentence.
When I was first starting to write plays, I quite literally had never heard of the idea of studying playwriting. I wouldn’t have studied it even if I had heard of it.
I don’t see that many plays, and for me, musicals are rarely pleasing. I feel the actors are being put through a kind of nightmarish labor. They’re like animals being forced to pull heavy carts of vegetables at incredible speeds.
But because we’ve all been readers, we know what the experience is like, and we hope that what certain writers have given to us, we will give to someone.
I never grew up thinking, ‘One day I will play so and so’ because I wasn’t expecting to be an actor at all.
In real life, every person is the leading man or woman. We don’t think of ourselves as supporting or character actors.
I think the whole system of education would change if I were in charge and had the ability to make changes. I don’t think I would keep Princeton exactly being Princeton.
I was clever enough to know that John Donne was offering something that was awfully enjoyable. I just wasn’t clever enough to actually enjoy it.