Diane Paulus

Theatre and opera were always the twin kingdoms that I felt I had to conquer, because they were my parents' favorites.

I give so much of myself to my work; I want to be with people who are going to be there with me.

I am always looking for what piece, what artists, what playwrights, what directors, what subject matter is going to catalyze an audience.

Most detective story readers are an educated audience and know there are only a certain number of plots. The interest lies in what the writer does with them.

When I do my makeup, it kind of helps me get into the character that I'm trying to portray.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.