Mikhail Baryshnikov

I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.

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.

I like to make my own mistakes.

I - you know, I'm not an actor.

Nobody else in the world has a form like the Native American musical, and Americans should be very proud.

I fell in love with New York.

You see, dancers are quite mature people because they start performing so early. They become professionals when they start to take everyday classes.

I cannot stand authority.

I am teaching more. That is what I do best.

Working is living to me.

I remember vividly seeing 'Tarzan' and Fred Astaire, the Chaplin films, Fred Astaire musicals, MGM, because of my mother. She was just interested in everything and she took me to opera and ballet, and then ballet got me hooked.

I have some Russian friends. But probably only 10 percent. I don't hang out usually in the big Russian communities in Brooklyn and New Jersey.

I have been very lucky to work in so many new ballets, but that is what a dancer's work is.

Running a company is pretty demanding.

I cannot belong to a nonprofit organization because when you receive grants, you have to make such great compromises with your artistic plans.

I don't see in myself any perfection.

I read Russian literature a lot.

Everything I do, it's a bit painterly. I like being surrounded by objects, mostly on paper. I like the images. I like the painting. I like good photography. It's something that makes me an emotional connection, and I feel comfortable around it.

I don't want to do anything Freudian.

I am not trying to do material which I cannot do full out.