Nobody has yet proven that taking a chance and doing something unique that an audience isn't used to is a bad idea. What the theater lacks is that kind of courage.

The quote "Nobody has yet proven that taking a chance and doing something unique that an audience isn't used to is a bad idea. What the theater lacks is that kind of courage." comes from Harold Prince, the legendary American theater producer and director behind some of Broadway’s most iconic shows, including The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, and Cabaret. In this statement, Prince champions the value of risk-taking and originality in the world of theater, arguing that fear of the unfamiliar stifles creative progress.

The meaning behind the quote is a call for artistic courage. Prince emphasizes that there is no definitive proof that experimenting with something unique will fail—yet many productions avoid breaking conventions out of fear. He suggests that the greatest problem in modern theater is not a lack of talent or resources, but a lack of the boldness needed to bring fresh, challenging, and innovative works to the stage. His perspective frames audience unfamiliarity not as a danger, but as an opportunity for excitement and discovery.

The origin of this view is rooted in Prince’s own career, which was defined by groundbreaking theatrical choices. He often brought unconventional stories, staging techniques, and subject matter to Broadway, taking significant chances that ultimately reshaped the art form. His work proved that audiences could embrace—and even celebrate—innovations they had never experienced before, from unconventional storytelling structures to darker, more complex themes.

Ultimately, Prince’s words serve as both encouragement and challenge to theater-makers: without courage, the stage risks becoming repetitive and safe. By daring to present something unique, creators have the potential to expand what theater can be and to inspire audiences in new ways. For Prince, it is this spirit of risk-taking that keeps the art form alive and evolving.