I found that dance, music, and literature is how I made sense of the world... it pushed me to think of things bigger than life's daily routines... to think beyond what is immediate or convenient.
Mikhail BaryshnikovRead
The body cannot lie. You cannot be somebody else onstage, no matter how good of an actor or dancer or singer you are. When you open your arms, move your finger, the audience knows who you are, you know.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Authenticity in performance reveals one's true self, regardless of the role played.
This quote emphasizes the idea that true identity cannot be hidden or fabricated, even in the context of performing arts. When artists showcase their talents, their genuine essence shines through, allowing the audience to perceive the real person behind the performance, irrespective of the character they embody.
Themes
AuthenticityPerformanceIdentitySelf-ExpressionArt
In practice
Example use cases
During a theater workshop, a director could use this quote to encourage actors to embrace their true selves on stage.
More from Mikhail Baryshnikov
All quotes →It's weird when you see pieces of choreography that were done for you 15 or 20 years ago and now they are being done by another dance company.
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There comes a moment in a young artist's life when he knows he has to bring something to the stage from within himself. He has to put in something in order to be able to take something.
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Dancing is my obsession. My life.
Mikhail BaryshnikovRead
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