We expect our leaders to be godlike. But I feel that when people try to sanctify leadership, it puts it out of the realm of regular people. And that's where the greatest leaders come from - from the people. Katori Hall More Quotes by Katori Hall More Quotes From Katori Hall Don't let others put thoughts into your mind that takes away your self-confidence. Katori Hall self-confidence self mind I've had frank conversations with theaters who say, 'We love your play, but we've already done a play by another black person this year,' or 'I don't think the kind of people you write about are the ones our audience wants to see'... Up and coming young black female writers are still struggling to have their voices heard and have their plays produced. Katori Hall struggle love-you writing Theatre is an exclusive place that tends to be dominated by white men, or dying white men. Katori Hall white-man dying men Serendipity always rewards the prepared. Katori Hall prepared serendipity rewards Cultivating relationships with people who've achieved what you want to achieve makes the path fuller and more fun. You don't know everything, and that is so okay, because there are many people who want to help you along your journey. I used to think people above me might get jealous because I wanted to do what they did. But no, people are much nicer than that. Katori Hall jealous journey fun Like most playwrights, I hate talkbacks with a passion that can burn a hole through hell. Katori Hall hell passion hate Unlike films, which can be easily disseminated worldwide via DVDs and the Internet, plays struggle to find an international audience. Katori Hall dvds struggle play It is expensive to give plays subtitles, especially for a short run, so most new dramas rarely cross the transcontinental bridge. Katori Hall bridges running drama I always felt like Broadway was not for me - in terms of ticket price, in terms of what was on there. I never saw myself reflected in the mirror of the Great White Way. Katori Hall broadway mirrors white I always say that I'm a writer who writes more from place than race. Katori Hall race writing Playwrights are the most gregarious writers - to get our work done, we need actors, directors, set designers. Katori Hall actors directors needs Sometimes, unfortunately, hatred is more powerful than progress. Katori Hall progress powerful hatred You don’t know what’s going to happen in the end, and that’s what the best plays are. Katori Hall ends play happens I'll never be August Wilson - but what I can be is more of myself. Katori Hall wilson i-can august In order to be great, you just have to care. You have to care about your world, community, and equality. Katori Hall great you equality community Become your dream, and not be told what you are supposed to do. Katori Hall your become you dream I grew up playing with kids from Hurt Village, playing with kids from other housing projects, Lamar Terrace, because my grandmother lived in that particular area. So, I always wondered how I would have turned out if I would have lived in that particular given circumstance. Katori Hall always village grandmother hurt Follow your intuition, listening to your dreams, your inner voice to guide you. Katori Hall dreams you your-dreams voice Most of the time, when I'm writing, I'm writing for myself. I'm thinking, 'What will my character say at this time? What will come out of her mouth?' I create individuals so real to me, I sometimes start talking to them. Then I let them loose on the page. Katori Hall myself me time character I'm very Southern in the way I walk in the world. I love to laugh. I love to eat. I love to hug people. But if somebody makes me mad, my neck may roll. I can be aggressive with a Southern twang. Katori Hall walk me love people