There's a paradox in the notion that creativity should be a habit. We think of creativity as a way of keeping everything fresh and new, while habit implies routine and repetition. That paradox intrigues me because it occupies the place where creativity and skill rub up against each other.

Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with a certain degree of cynicism.

The notion of the hero as outsider, as alien, is forget it, over, done with. It's not about being against society anymore. It's about standing there, holding something up. It's not pulling away.

I do everything I know how in a dance.

Failing, and learning from it, is necessary. Unil you've done it, you're missing an important piece of your creative arsenal.

Dancers are allowed, indeed encouraged, to remain children forever.

Never worry that rote exercises aimed at developing skills will suffocate creativity. At the same time, it's important to recognize that demonstrating great technique is not the same as being creative.