While extremely dramatic on stage, Baryshnikov was also emotionally driven offstage, and several quotes show that he was not afraid to express his powerful feelings. For instance, he probably said this:
I really, really hate you.
-Mikhail Baryshnikov, to dance belt
Fuckin’ dancebelts man
Watching a dancer who clearly enjoys jumping always makes me think one thing, which I believe famous male dancer Nijinsky, who could apparently jump over pianos, also thought while jumping:
Wheeeeee!
-Vaslav Nijinsky
Wheeee!
Directors of hugely famous ballet companies often have inspiring and effective corrections for students and professionals alike. Sometimes, though, you just have to say it like it is:
Please stop sucking
-Kevin McKenzie
Just stop
For many, Vaganova means ballet. In actual fact, a ‘vaganova’ is a type of semi-sweet bun-like pastry treat that is no longer made with any regularity. Comparatively, the regularity with which people refer to Vaganova’s Basic Principles of Classical Ballet is astounding.
Here is one of Vaganova’s less conspicuous quotes:
Ballet is next to Godliness, because ballet is about technique and technique is about cleanliness and cleanliness is next to Godliness.
-Agrippina Vaganova
‘Good try, dear’
David Howard was a master teacher. He also had quite the sense of humor, as evinced by this quote spoken to a new student entering his ballet class:
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
-David Howard
Cool