When you're experimenting you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion.

This search for what you want is like tracking something that doesn't want to be tracked. It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.

Dancing is a vertical interpretation of a horizontal intention.

It's nice that all the composers have said that nobody interprets a lyric like Fred Astaire. But when it comes to selling records I was never worth anything particularly except as a collector's item.

When working on my choreography I am not always receptive to outside suggestions or opinions. I believe that if you have something in mind in the way of a creation, such as a new dance, a sequence, or an effect, you are certain to come up with inaccurate criticism and damaging results if you go around asking for opinions.

I don't remember anybody ever pointing me out as a dancing prodigy, but I played a not bad second base.

I had some ballet training but didn't like it. It was like a game to me.