Andrew Keenan-Bolger Quotes

Powerful Andrew Keenan-Bolger for Daily Growth

About Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Andrew Keenan-Bolger, an accomplished American actor, playwright, and songwriter, was born on October 19, 1981, in New York City, USA. He is best known for his contributions to Broadway, both as a performer and a creator. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the arts, Andrew's passion for theater was ignited early. His parents, both artists, provided him with a nurturing environment that encouraged creativity and artistic exploration. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he honed his talents in drama and music. Andrew's professional career began in the late 1990s, making his Broadway debut at just 15 years old as Michael Banks in "Mary Poppins." Over the years, he has graced the stage in numerous iconic productions, including "Tarzan," "Spamalot," and "Newsies," for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination. In addition to his acting roles, Andrew is also an accomplished playwright. His works include "The Truth About Colors" and "Tick, Tick... BOOM!," the latter being a revival of the Jonathan Larson musical. A dedicated advocate for mental health awareness, Andrew uses his platform to raise funds and spread awareness about anxiety and depression. In 2018, he co-founded "The BRAVE Initiative," an organization aimed at supporting and empowering those living with mental illness. Andrew Keenan-Bolger continues to captivate audiences on Broadway while making a lasting impact off the stage through his activism and creative works. His career is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the transformative nature of the arts.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear."

This quote suggests that achieving one's desires or goals often requires facing fear, as it serves as a barrier preventing us from taking action towards our aspirations. Overcoming this fear can lead to the realization of one's deepest wants and needs. Embracing challenges instead of letting fear control us is essential for personal growth and self-fulfillment.


"The future starts when you decide it does."

This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of choice in shaping one's destiny. It suggests that rather than waiting for a predetermined moment or external event to bring about change, individuals have the ability to actively initiate their future by making a conscious decision to do so. It encourages proactivity and self-empowerment, implying that one can break free from the confines of passive waiting and instead, take charge and create the future they desire.


"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

This quote emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on the past, but instead focusing on the present. The message is to move forward, make the most of each day, and not let negative experiences or regrets from the past interfere with current opportunities and happiness. Each day presents new chances, lessons learned from yesterday can be applied, but they should not prevent growth and progress in the here and now.


"Be who you needed when you were younger."

This quote encourages personal growth and self-reflection, urging individuals to embody qualities they admired or wished for in their past selves. By becoming the role model they once needed, people can help heal emotional wounds from their own experiences, fostering compassion, understanding, and resilience within themselves and those around them. Ultimately, it suggests that by growing personally, we contribute positively to our own lives and the lives of others.


"Success doesn't always come from following your dreams, but from chasing after them relentlessly."

This quote suggests that achieving success is not just about having a dream or goal, but also about persistently pursuing it without giving up. It implies that one should be tenacious in their efforts to reach their dreams, rather than relying solely on the dream itself to bring success. The pursuit of dreams requires determination, perseverance, and hard work, which are key factors in achieving success.


People are not just going to bars and meeting people; they're connecting through social media.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Through, Going, Social, Bars

The 'Newsies' fans are a whole different breed.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Different, Fans, Whole, Breed

I know everyone claims that their cast is 'really close,' but I think the bond we share in 'Newsies' is unique. In the show, these boys risk everything in the name of brotherhood, and I feel that same way about the guys in my cast.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Show, I Think, About, Claims

I think what's universal is the idea of auditioning. It's something that you do in every kind of job market. You audition every time you go on a date, you audition at a job interview, and it's always about trying to put the best version of yourself forward and seeing what sticks and what doesn't.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Date, Idea, I Think, Interview

I think one of the traps of theater - what makes it so amazing is that it's not able to be mass-produced, but it also makes it hard to get work seen by people because if you're a creator, you do a cabaret or something, and maybe 100 people will see it and then it ends the night that you close it.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Maybe, I Think, Cabaret, Traps

My older sister Celia is an actress as well. She's a little bit older than me. So, in my formative years, she was always performing, and we would always go see her do things. And so, that just made me want to be... like her. Maybe if she was an Olympic swimmer, I would probably be an Olympic swimmer by now as well!

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Maybe, Olympic, Bit, Swimmer

There isn't a way to depict the gay community without at least mentioning the existence of online dating apps like Grindr.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Like, Depict, Least, Gay Community

'Kris Kringle' is a holiday musical for a new generation - a gorgeous score paired with a heartwarming tale of family and forgiveness.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Generation, New, Musical, Heartwarming

Everyone knows how physically demanding 'Newsies' is in terms of the dance, but even the guys in the toughest tracks remark that the singing in this show is often the hardest part. The newsboys are teenagers, and Alan Menken wrote this music in the top of a guy's range.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Show, Part, Range, Alan

Everybody keeps saying what a lucky coincidence that 'Newsies' is happening when it is, with things like Occupy Wall Street.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Lucky, Everybody, Occupy, Coincidence

I feel that being comfortable - being yourself - when you walk into an audition room is a really important thing. I think being able to own every aspect of your life is only going to make you be more comfortable in front of a table of people you don't know.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

I Think, Important Thing, Table

I've gotten to work with people like Kristin Chenoweth and Chita Rivera... Seeing their process is so interesting. Seeing that these people aren't immortal - that they go through the same motions as we do and ask for feedback and break down scenes... They have to work, too, and that's really exciting to see.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Through, Immortal, Gotten, Motions

'Breaking In' shows what it's really like backstage at New York Fringe Theatre.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Theatre, New, Shows, Backstage

When you're reinterpreting the same material eight shows a week, it's impossible to lock in the 'ideal' performance. Things that felt great in previews can feel forced three months in; jokes that got big laughs in the rehearsal room may suddenly fall flat in front of a paying audience.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Week, Big, Forced, Jokes

Live theater is an amorphous art, constantly shifting and evolving with every performance.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Art, Performance, Evolving, Live Theater

Any show that has a completely gay ensemble has the very difficult task of trying to represent the community.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Trying, Task, Very, Represent

No live performance can ever be perfect, and that's what keeps you on your toes - it pushes you to practice harder, show up for that 8 A.M. ballet class, and walk through the stage door every night just to have the chance to do it all again.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Door, Practice, Through, Every Night

Seeing other people perform inspires me. I couldn't be a good performer if just relied on my own talents. Seeing what other brave choices other actors are making gives me the strength to be bold in auditions and to approach roles in different kind of ways.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Strength, Other, Auditions, Talents

I am in love with Los Angeles.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Love, Los, Angeles, Los Angeles

As a kid, I was obsessed with Broadway cast recordings, and I would totally mimic and memorize every little choice that these actors made.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Broadway, Obsessed, Made, Mimic

YouTube came out when I was a sophomore in college, and I feel like I was one of the first people to put musical theater stuff online.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

College, YouTube, Musical, Sophomore

People have not given children enough credit to understand the idea of death. But I really think they do.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Death, Think, Given, Credit

Tony night was probably the highlight of my time with 'Newsies' - heck, of my life for that matter!

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

My Life, Highlight, My Time, Tony

I always get nervous. It's usually a good thing. I worry about the nights that I'm not nervous, actually.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Worry, Always, A Good Thing, Nights

My sister is my biggest Broadway hero.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Hero, Broadway, Biggest, Sister

I think anytime there's a big show on a network, people are also looking for what's the indie, stepchild version of this, the real DIY version?

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Think, Big, Indie, Anytime

I think it's really important, as an actor in this business, to have another creative outlet.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Business, Think, I Think, Outlet

I think that much of the success of the Broadway mounting of 'Newsies' was due in no small part to the infectious camaraderie on stage between the boys.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Small, Think, Infectious, Small Part

I tried to live my life really openly and transparently right from the get-go. I think that probably resonated with people.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

My Life, Think, I Think, Openly

If my 12-year-old self knew that there was going to be a Broadway adaptation of 'Newsies,' I would have freaked out.

- Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Going, Broadway, Knew, Freaked

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