When a dancer comes onstage, he is not just a blank slate that the choreographer has written on. Behind him he has all the decisions he has made in life. Each time, he has chosen, and in what he is onstage, you see the result of those choices. You are looking at the person he is, and the person who, at this point, he cannot help but be Exceptional dancers, in my experience, are also exceptional people, people with an attitude toward life, a kind of quest, and an internal quality. They know who they are, and they show this to you, willingly.

In the second part of life you get rid of stuff you've accumulated.

I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.

When a body moves, it's the most revealing thing. Dance for me a minute, and I'll tell you who you are.

Every ballet, whether or not successful artistically or with the public, has given me something important.

I go a lot to see young people downtown in little theaters. It's great. If you start somebody's career, it's so exciting.

You see, dancers are quite mature people because they start performing so early. They become professionals when they start to take everyday classes.