44 Quotes by Alvin Ailey

Making dances is an act of progress; it is an act of growth, an act of music, an act of teaching, an act of celebration, an act of joy.

To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living.

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.

All of these dancers are dancers who are on the verge of their careers, so to speak. They're here to hone their artistry and make the transition from the classroom to the stage.

My dancers must be able to do anything, and I don’t care if they are black or white or purple or green. I want to help show my people how beautiful they are. I want to hold up the mirror to my audience that says this is the way people can be, this is how open people can be.

The creative process is not controlled by a switch you can simply turn on or off; it’s with you all the time.

Sometimes you feel bad about yourself when there’s no reason to.

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

But the dance speaks to everyone. Otherwise it wouldn’t work.