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.
Mikhail BaryshnikovI go a lot to see young people downtown in little theaters. It's great. If you start somebody's career, it's so exciting.
Mikhail BaryshnikovA theater is such a revealing form of art, such a transparent and good actors, they're such powerful individuals. I always kind of dreamt that one day I will open my mouth on stage.
Mikhail BaryshnikovA country like Belgium, or socialist countries in central Europe spend more money on art education than the United States, which is a really puzzling thought.
Mikhail BaryshnikovI have been very lucky to work in so many new ballets, but that is what a dancer's work is.
Mikhail Baryshnikov