Alonzo King On Dance, Life, and Humanity
Choreographer Alonzo King did an interview with George McCalman of the San Francisco Chronicle recently. Even if dance isn’t a particular interest for you, I recommend taking the time to read the interview. King is passionate about dance, about life, and about humanity, and his words apply to everyone, dancer or otherwise.
[Image description: A shaded line drawing of Alonzo King, wearing a hat, and adjusting his glasses. The caption reads, “Alonzo King, founder of Alonzo King Lines Ballet. Photo: George McCalman / Special to the Chronicle”.]
My favorite bits:
“The other reason I talk, bluntly, is because we have to realize that everyone who is serious about their life is some kind of artist. We’ve gotta get away from this “artist” and “ordinary person.” Even the term “ordinary person” is ridiculous.”
“What are human beings? We are brilliant, radiant, luminescent souls. We’re souls, and we’re playing roles. And so if you can see behind the role, and if you can see behind the appearance, that means it’s time to intuit and listen to vibration, and so that the listening has to become clearer.”
“The common mindset is that I will be happy when these requirements are met. It’s all nonsense. It’s about now. Regardless of circumstances, jump into joy now. Regardless of conditions, jump into your happiness now. Jump into the direction you want to go in now. Don’t play later; the later game doesn’t work.”
“I think there are things that you know, and with time you plumb them and know them better. . . . With time and age and experience, I see where I could do more, where I could be better, where this can be more.”
