Official tumblr of actress Ashley Clements, best known for playing Lizzie Bennet in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
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pgcgm:
You are clearly very well read - has that been an important part of becoming such a good actress?

I love this question, mostly because it makes me think. First off, thanks for saying I’m a good actress. Now, to answer your question: I think reading makes us better and more dynamic people. Stories are incredibly powerful because we connect to them on an emotional level. Reading literature expands our understanding of human nature and increases empathy and that is where I think it clearly relates to acting. Everything an actor experiences in their life is useful, because what is acting but trying to express something about humanity in a way that resonates? Reading is one thing, one great thing, that can open the mind to the perspective of another person. I happen to be a big believer in education. I always loved school and thrived in that environment, hence, master’s degree. But, I know that not everyone is best served by traditional education, and that I was lucky to attend schools with small classes and great teachers. The goal of education is should be to teach us to think, to form independent thoughts and make connections. Reading is something that can do that outside of the classroom. Reading makes you smarter, and I like smart actors. I like to watch them, I like to work with them, and I try to be one. 

July 15, 2012
7:51 PM PST
24 notes
  1. theashleyclements posted this