Being steeped in the process of learning and exploring keeps me from becoming too nervous. Partly it's about not getting bored.

Learning operatic roles is ongoing, and I find that I can learn on the train or subway, during a manicure, getting my hair done, and even while driving if I only look at the score at red lights.

There's no performance where I never have to think about setting up a phrase or making a technical adjustment while I'm performing.

At this stage in my career, I don't have to take any big risks. You want to take a calculated risk, not one that leads to people saying 'yes, but there was that one time when she made that big mistake.' It's always a shame when that happens, especially if you've gotten by for decades without anything hugely tragic.

I'm a digital reader. When I travel abroad, I don't want to pack physical books, and I even like reading on my smartphone.

The first voyagers to the stars will be creatures whose life cycle is matched to the voyage: the aeons involved in traversing the galaxy are not daunting to immortal beings. By the end of the third millennium, travel to other stars could be technically feasible. But would there be sufficient motive?

It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.

I would love to work with Pendleton Ward who created 'Adventure Time,' and I'm dying to work with Ryan Murphy. I'm obsessed with 'American Horror Story' and everything he does.