Alvin Ailey

“In this business, life is one long fund-raising effort.”

“I feel an obligation to use black dancers because there must be more opportunities for them, but not because I'm a black choreographer talking to black people.”

“If you live in the elite world of dance, you find yourself in a world rife with racism. Let's face it.”

“Money is a never-ending problem.”

“I am trying to show the world that we are all human beings and that color is not important. What is important is the quality of our work.”

“Sometimes you feel bad about yourself when there's no reason to.”

“One of the worst things about racism is what it does to young people.”

“I wanted to explore black culture, and I wanted that culture to be a revelation.”

“Nothing personal; I just don't have people over.”

“I always want to have more dancers in my company.”

“We talk too much of black art when we should be talking about art, just art. Black composers must be free to write rondos and fugues, not only protest songs.”

“Choreography is mentally draining, but there's a pleasure in getting into the studio with the dancers and the music.”

“My feelings about myself have been terrible.”

“No matter what you write or choreograph, you feel it's not enough.”

“Lena Horne is the sweetest and most adorable woman in the world.”

“I always want more.”

“We still spend more time chasing funds than we do in the studio in creative work.”

“I'm interested in putting something on stage that will have a very wide appeal without being condescending; that will reach an audience and make it part of the dance; that will get everybody in the theater.”

“Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.”

“Its roots are in American Negro culture, which is part of the whole country's heritage, but the dance speaks to everyone... Otherwise, it wouldn't work.”