William Forsythe Quotes

Powerful William Forsythe for Daily Growth

About William Forsythe

William Forsythe (born September 16, 1949) is an esteemed American modern dancer, choreographer, and director who has significantly influenced the world of contemporary dance. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, Forsythe grew up in a family with no connection to the arts. However, he discovered his passion for dance at an early age after watching a performance by Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Forsythe's professional dance career began in 1970 when he joined the Cunningham company. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the rehearsal director in 1973 and remaining with the company for over a decade. This experience profoundly influenced his choreographic style, characterized by its complex structures, spatial relationships, and use of technology to expand the possibilities of dance. In 1984, Forsythe founded his own company, William Forsythe & The Forsythe Company, which became a platform for his groundbreaking works such as "The Fugue" (1987), "Improvisation Technologies: A User's Manual" (1992), and "One Flat Thing, reproduced" (1994). These pieces pushed the boundaries of dance by emphasizing process over product, improvisation, and the exploration of movement as a form of thinking. Forsythe has also been a guest choreographer for numerous companies worldwide, including Frankfurt Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet. In 2011, he became the director of the Ballet Francesca da Rimini in Italy. Throughout his career, Forsythe has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Praemium Imperiale in 2008. His work continues to inspire dancers and choreographers worldwide, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in contemporary dance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul, of the body."

This quote by William Forsythe suggests that dance serves as a unique means of self-expression, where one's inner emotions, feelings, or experiences are communicated nonverbally through physical movement. It implies that dance connects us deeply with our bodies and souls, allowing for the translation of intangible feelings into tangible artistry. In essence, Forsythe views dance as a powerful medium for storytelling, connecting individuals to their innermost selves and enabling them to share these profound experiences with others.


"Movement can be a metaphor for living, for feeling, for emotion."

William Forsythe's quote suggests that physical movement, such as dancing, can symbolize and represent various aspects of life, feelings, and emotions. For instance, graceful and fluid movements may convey joy, peace, or serenity, while rapid, jerky movements might reflect anxiety or tension. Similarly, the ebb and flow of a dance can mirror the ups and downs experienced in living, emphasizing resilience, adaptation, and growth. This quote underscores the interplay between movement, emotions, and life experiences, suggesting that they are deeply interconnected and inform one another.


"The dance is a communication between all bodies, and the choreographer is just a translator."

This quote by William Forsythe suggests that dance is not merely an individual expression but a universal language involving all participants - dancers, audience, and even the choreographer themselves. The choreographer serves as a bridge or translator, interpreting and shaping the collective energy into a coherent form, allowing the dance to communicate its intended message effectively. In essence, Forsythe views dance as a collaborative act of communication, emphasizing its power to transcend boundaries between people and cultures.


"When you're in a creative process, your mind is open to all possibilities. It's like being in love—anything feels possible."

This quote suggests that when one is engaged in the creative process, their mind becomes receptive to an expansive range of ideas and potentialities, akin to the feelings associated with falling in love. In both instances, there's a sense of boundless possibility, where the ordinary boundaries between reality and imagination seem to dissolve. This quote encourages us to maintain an open, curious, and optimistic perspective when embarking on creative endeavors, as it can lead to unique and inspiring outcomes.


"Dance is the purest communication between body and soul, mind evolved."

This quote suggests that dance is an exceptional medium for expressing one's deepest emotions and thoughts, as it allows a direct connection between the body (physical manifestation) and the soul (one's inner spirit or essence). Dance serves as a creative outlet for the mind to translate complex ideas and feelings into movement. It can be seen as a form of evolution, where creativity and self-expression are expressed through the medium of dance, making it a profound means of communication.


I really love Robert Duvall, who I think is maybe the best American actor. I love Robert Duvall because the ability that he has to change and do the most amazing work.

- William Forsythe

Love, Think, I Think, Robert

Warren Beatty is a great director. I wish Warren would direct another film right now, because I'd love to do another film with Warren. I think that 'Dick Tracy' is an outstanding film in its own right.

- William Forsythe

Love, Think, I Think, Great Director

I love Rob Zombie. Rob's just a dude, you know? He's an artist, but he's a regular guy, down to earth. And he's a damned good director, too, and a lot of fun to work with.

- William Forsythe

Love, Artist, Rob, Dude

When I grew into a teenager, I became obsessed with Marlon Brando, Montgomery Cliff, and James Dean.

- William Forsythe

Obsessed, Dean, Became, Brando

You can really do amazing things in a wheelchair. It's very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but you can even go up and down stairs in a wheelchair.

- William Forsythe

Doing, Wheelchair, Very, Amazing Things

'Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead' is one of the most underrated films. There were even different cuts of it. A wonderful film.

- William Forsythe

Wonderful, Dead, Films, Underrated

I did nine episodes of 'John Doe.' I died of boredom.

- William Forsythe

Boredom, Nine, John, Episodes

I love what I do. And in the true sense, from my training, I try to create a character each time. It is something I do. But I don't want that term to limit what I can do. I prefer people to say to me, 'You're one of my favorite actors,' rather than 'You're one of my favorite character actors.' It sounds like a slam.

- William Forsythe

Love, Rather, Prefer, Slam

I prefer people to say to me, 'You're one of my favorite actors,' rather than 'You're one of my favorite character actors.' It sounds like a slam. At least it sounds that way to me.

- William Forsythe

Like, Rather, Prefer, Slam

All of the punk-rock bands of the era would come in and play, and my job on Punk Rock Night was that I would go into the slam pit, and... I was 24 or 25, and I'd slam dance in the pit.

- William Forsythe

Night, Play, Go, Slam

I was never a 'bad' kid, but I did get into minor juvenile trouble. Look, I grew up in Brooklyn. This was the '60s, and the neighborhood was rapidly changing and not without its problems. All the kids of the neighborhood 'did their thing,' breaking windows and the like. I was no different.

- William Forsythe

Kid, Bad, Minor, Neighborhood

I went to Catholic school, and there was this teacher, a Brother, who saw I could go either way, good or bad. He took an interest in me and got me to do a play. I got hooked on acting, and it gave me something constructive to do. I had a lot of energy.

- William Forsythe

Play, Bad, Hooked, Catholic

'Extreme Prejudice' is the last of the Mohicans. I don't think we'll ever see a film made like that again.

- William Forsythe

Think, Like, Last, Extreme

'The Waterdance' was made for all the right reasons. Everybody that was involved in the film gave it their all.

- William Forsythe

Everybody, Reasons, Involved, Right Reasons

I can't stop watching black and white movies. I live in a world of Warner Brothers movies and all of that stuff from an older era, and I love them. I still love them. When I look at them, I sometimes think I was born in the wrong time.

- William Forsythe

Love, Sometimes, Brothers, Era

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