Diane Paulus Quotes

My sister was in ballet growing up. I spent almost the entirety of 7 through 12 backstage at Lincoln Center, just running around, waiting for 'The Nutcracker' to end.

I was a ballerina for 10 years growing up, but I stopped.

I was definitely a thespian of sorts in elementary school. I went to a real small private school, and every year, I participated in the talent shows and the school plays - all of 'em.

I was really into dancing, taking six classes a week, and my real dream was to be in a Broadway show.

I remember my dreams when I was a junior soloist. 'Oh, I hope I don't end here,' I thought. 'I want to do the ballerina in 'Scotch Symphony.' I don't want to be the little Scotch girl.' And I actually went beyond my wildest dreams. I worked with Balanchine. I had ballets choreographed for me.

I have had so many great moments, but I would have to say that dancing the Swan in 'Swan Lake' was such a unique and passionate experience for me. It was such bloody hard work, even at that very early age, that I would not want to try to replicate it again now.

My mom thought I could dance because I used to dance to this Janet Jackson song she'd play when I was a baby. Then she would take me to a Saturday dance school. I used to go every week and got spotted by a scout, who suggested I audition for the role of Billy in 'Billy Elliot the Musical.'

I did a lot of theater growing up, and in college I was in the musical 'Chicago.'

I like to act. Every other aspect of show business I find uninteresting.

I think of the New York City Ballet as the Yankees without George Steinbrenner.

I grew up doing musicals. I've done so many musicals in my life, I kind of got them out of my system. But, I certainly would be open to them. Rocky Horror Show is a big favorite of mine.

When I first moved to New York, I wanted to be a dancer. I danced professionally for years, living a hand-to-mouth existence. I never tapped into nightlife; all I knew was dancers. We went to bed early and got up early and went to free concerts at the Lincoln Center and Shakespeare in the Park.

I would love to do more theatre, musicals... everything.

I've been a ballerina since I was two, but I've always wanted to be an actress.

I love working in New York theater.

When I grow up I am going to be a ballerina. I will be in Giselle. It will be so much fun being a ballerina.

Having done so many versions, I never felt like an artist in 'Swan Lake.'

I started acting because I enjoyed school plays.

The stage is my first love.

I grew up in the theater. I began my career at 3. That was the first time I stepped onto a provisional stage.

I love the theatre and theatre people.

I did some school plays in elementary school, but that was it.

I didn't know if I could act, but I knew I could be a great ballet dancer, and Balanchine put out the carpet for me.

It was in high school that I first became interested in acting. We put on lots of plays.

As a kid, I had a background in theater.