If you want to understand a nation, look at its dances and listen to its folk songs – don’t pay any attention to its politicians.
AGNES DE MILLEIf you want to understand a nation, look at its dances and listen to its folk songs – don’t pay any attention to its politicians.
AGNES DE MILLEEmily Dickinson provided four or more alternates for every word; Beethoven wrestled with endings to the point of exhaustion; in our day Jerome Robbins and his lack of decision are a byword in the dance profession.
AGNES DE MILLEBut all of these knew very well what they did not want, and what they did not want was the current coin, the well-worn usage.
AGNES DE MILLELiving is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little.
AGNES DE MILLEOne of the good things about my having some recognition is that I can do something for the people
AGNES DE MILLEFriends die one by one, but so, thank God, do enemies.
AGNES DE MILLEModern dancers give a sinister portent about our times. The dancers don’t even look at one another.
AGNES DE MILLESo that we will miss nothing. Partly it’s greed, but mainly its curiosity. We just want to experience it. And we do.
AGNES DE MILLEBut remember that intent is everything. One does not just jump, one lifts into the air, one rises.
AGNES DE MILLEThe practice mirror is to be used for the correction of faults, not for a love affair, and the figure you watch should not become your dearest friend.
AGNES DE MILLEIn the same way the lifted leg of an arabesque becomes a wing, and not a mechanical leverage like a raised trap door.
AGNES DE MILLENo trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made.
AGNES DE MILLEMy heroines are part of me and my heroes are part of what I’d like to know.
AGNES DE MILLEThe choreographic process is exhausting. It happens on one’s feet after hours of work, and the energy required is roughly the equivalent of writing a novel and winning a tennis match simultaneously.
AGNES DE MILLEModern dancers give a sinister portent about our times.
AGNES DE MILLEDance in the body you have.
AGNES DE MILLE