Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov, nicknamed "Misha", is a Latvian-born Russian-American dancer, choreographer, and actor born in the Soviet Union, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers in history. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974 for more opportunities in western dance. After freelancing with many companies, he joined the New York City Ballet as a principal dancer to learn George Balanchine's style of movement...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionDancer
Date of Birth27 January 1948
CityRiga, Latvia
CountryUnited States of America
Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun.
I get speeding ticket like everybody else. If the restaurant is full I'm waiting in line like everybody else.
I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.
You cannot be happy with your family while being personally unhappy with your work. It's a Catch-22 kind of thing.
I am teaching more. That is what I do best.
I read Russian literature a lot.
Although I don't gamble in life - I've never played poker - I do gamble on stage. I gamble with myself: 'Can I do this?'
I think art education, especially in this country, which government pretty much ignores, is so important for young people.
I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.
I - you know, I'm not an actor.
Obviously, the young dancers lack a certain air of maturity.
You cannot dance physically certain things. But look at tango dancers or flamenco or Japanese classical theater. You can, if you're smart enough and you collaborate with the right choreographers, you could really dance your age.
What people will do to get away from boredom!
You open a section of 'The New York Times,' and there's a review or a story on a choreographer or a dancer, and there's an informative, clear image of a dancer. This is, in my view, not an interesting photograph.