I really do believe that if you don't challenge yourself and risk failing, that it's not interesting.

One of the reasons why I love to do Shakespeare is that this great artist was able to talk to a wide variety of audiences. He could do the bawdy plays and the humor and the clowns-as you know, because you're a wonderful Stephano-that speaks to the populace, the masses, the groundlings, whatever.

What I don't have in theater is editing.

Growing up I had amazing parents who really let me be creative and free. I was the youngest of three by six years, the child who was the outsider and observer. When I went off to Boston to act, I was very young - 10. And my parents didn't fear that. They had the respect to let me make my choices.

My God, it transformed me. My life changed.

I love directing Shakespeare on film. It's fantastic that the actors would do exactly the same thing and be true to their part.

I really do believe that if you don't challenge yourself and risk failing, that it's not interesting.