I remember my father telling me that just like Troy, he could get me in with the water department where he worked in New York. He talked about how he could get me on the job, and if I stayed 25 years, I could probably work my way up to be a supervisor and how it was a good union and all of the benefits and that I was going to make $20,000 in 50 years or whatever it was. He couldn't see that far.

Writing is a weapon and it’s more powerful than a fist could ever be.

My faith helps me understand that circumstances don't dictate my happiness, my inner peace.

Viola [Davis] is one of the great actors of her generation. She has one of these moments in the theater that I don't even know how to describe.

Any good piece of material like Shakespeare ought to be open to reinterpretation.

We do what we have to so we can do what we want to.

It's very important to transcend places that hold us.