We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of the American dance.

No animal ever has an ugly body until it is domesticated. It is the same with the human body.

You give all your life to doing this one thing. It sounds grim, it sounds frightening - it isn't - it has a great gaiety at times and a great wonder.

Theater is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place.

Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.

I don't think in art there is ever a precedent; each moment is a new one and terrifying and threatening and bursting with hope.

Misery is a communicable disease.