In Elizabethan England or classical Athens... theater was at the center of, not culture, but society and politics and religion and civic engagement. Those things have a different audience. Diane Paulus athensaudiencecenter Change image and share on social
I really challenge every actor at the beginning of a process, and I always say, 'I have an idea that I'm going to bring to the table. I hope and expect that you will have an idea and bring it to the table. But the way I really want to work is that together we're going to have a third idea that is better than either of our ideas.' Diane Paulus actorbeginbring share on social
Look at where I lived! Four blocks from Lincoln Center. I used to play in the fountain. And then I started taking dance lessons. I was in 'The Nutcracker' for the N.Y. City Ballet when I was 8 and dancing in 'The Firebird' for George Balanchine when I was 9. Believe me, that's something you don't ever forget. Diane Paulus balanchineballetblock share on social
I'm always interested in working with people who are good team players - that are selfless that way in their interests and dedication to the project. Diane Paulus dedicationgoodinterest Change image and share on social
Opera is the ultimate art form. It has singing and music and drama and dance and emotion and story. Diane Paulus artdancedrama Change image and share on social
At the core of what I'm doing is a belief in the audience, a belief that populism doesn't mean dumbing down theater, but rather giving the audience a voice and a role in experiencing theater. Diane Paulus audiencebeliefcore Change image and share on social
Art cannot be looked at as an elite, sacred event anymore. It has to be embraced as an accessible, popular form, which is what I believe theater is at its roots. Diane Paulus accessibleanymoreart Change image and share on social
I am always looking for what piece, what artists, what playwrights, what directors, what subject matter is going to catalyze an audience. Diane Paulus artistaudiencecatalyze Change image and share on social
I think in our culture there's been a tendency for people to blame the audience. There is a tendency in our industry to say, 'The audience has left the building. People don't want culture anymore.' Diane Paulus anymoreaudienceblame Change image and share on social
For me, the reason why people go to a mountaintop or go to the edge of the ocean is to look at something larger than themselves. That feeling of awe, of going to a cathedral, it's all about feeling lost in something bigger than oneself. To me, that's the definition of spectacle. Diane Paulus awebigcathedral share on social