One thing one of my acting teachers said, that I found often to be true, is that what an actor needs more than anything is "permission". We are most of us, especially we who become performers, quite expressive in daily life, but we squelch it for many reasons, technical insecurities, wanting to do it "right," or "well," whatever. We know, intuitively, that as an audience, what we want is to be moved, to feel for and related to the character. We have to translate that into a sense of trust and freedom as a performer that will allow us to give this to that audience.

I think it's different needs for different artists. I don't feel a "need" for approval from the audience. I can't really get this from an audience if I don't already feel it in myself. I experience performance, or writing, or composing, art in general, as a desire to connect with those who understand my message, my values. If they don't, they won't applaud, they won't understand, they won't agree with my words or my interpretation. If they do understand, I've made a friend for that moment, possibly for longer. That "is" a reaching out, but not for approval, but for communication, and - yes - for understanding. I'm not looking for the whole audience, every person, every time, just those that "get it."