Quote

It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.

It's not very hard to be clever. It's far harder to be simple, obvious, and meaningful.

Johnny Winter doesn't know the word 'subtlety.' But it works, it works.

However, some of my work is very subtle, and one should expect very subtle reactions to it.

You have to keep surprising your audience.

Don't give it to the audience; leave it to the audience.

I want to give the audience a hint of a scene. No more than that. Give them too much and they won't contribute anything themselves. Give them just a suggestion and you get them working with you. That's what gives the theater meaning: when it becomes a social act.

I prefer more to kind of show people different things than tell them 'oh, here's what you should believe' and, over time, you can build up a rapport with your audience.

Treat the audience with respect and maturity, and have a certain faith in them to catch up.