The instinct to impersonate produces the actor; the desire to provide pleasure by impersonations produces the playwright; the desire to provide this pleasure with adequate characterization and dialogue memorable in itself produces dramatic literature.

George Pierce Baker

Actor Adequate Characterization Desire Dialogue Dramatic Instinct Itself Literature Memorable Playwright Pleasure Produces Provide

Related Quotes

When the drama attains a characterization which makes the play a revelation of human conduct and a dialogue which characterizes yet pleases for itself, we reach dramatic literature.

— George Pierce Baker

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But what is drama? Broadly speaking, it is whatever by imitative action rouses interest or gives pleasure.

— George Pierce Baker

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Back through the ages of barbarism and civilization, in all tongues, we find this instinctive pleasure in the imitative action that is the very essence of all drama.

— George Pierce Baker

An actor without a playwright is like a hole without a doughnut.

— George Jean Nathan

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The word 'ivory' rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it.

— Joseph Conrad

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