Getting Up: Finding My Way Back in a Flash, 2011-2014

Nonfiction

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52103

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Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov (an essay)

A skilled youth, a Soviet defector yearning to break through old traditions to dance with his heart, a cinema star, a businessman, and ultimately an unparalleled dance icon, Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is still followed around by the young crying out "Misha." At 63 years of age, still completing one-hour stretching regimens and working with the most current choreographers of the day, he continues to amaze, inspire, and promote the haunting, ethereal, chemise-soft world that is ballet.
Born in Riga, Latvia, he began his dreams at the age of 9, gaining acceptance to the Vaganova School, and then maturing at the Kirov in St. Petersburg, Russia as a teen. Shorter than most of his male counterparts, he was relegated to minor roles. However, due to his strength, the extension and height of his jumps and pirouettes showcasing his artistic musculature, as well as the vibrancy and passion of his facial expressions, exclusive parts were soon designed for him by his Soviet choreographers. He danced the leads in Vestris and his signature ballet, Giselle, in the late 1960s, his stage presence and purity securing the admiration of Clive Barnes, a New York Times critic at the time.
However, as one has accomplished their desire in life, complacency and boredom with repetition can rear its head. Thus, at the age of 26 in 1974, with an ongoing stillness in his creativity, Mikhail defected from what was then the Soviet Union to Toronto. He took on parts with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet until he was able to move to New York City and spark the world's ongoing love affair with his talent, where he joined the American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. The most influential choreographers of the 1970s from Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey capitalized on his talent, breathing life into diverse works, and teaching him other ways to express himself that would be considered truly alien to his traditional teachings.
In the late 1970s, he starred in PBS' Performance at Wolftrap in The Nutcracker with Gelsey Kirkland. This ballet is shown every Christmas and touted as the most popular ballet watched on American public television. Around this time, he dated and had his first child with the American actress, Jessica Lange, and on into the 1980s, he had 3 more children with his current life partner and fellow dancer, Lisa Rinehart.
He extended himself even further professionally and for 18 months was the great George Balanchine's primary. Breaking his rule of not directing Russian dancers, he instructed Mikhail into a unique style, creating significant works such as Apollo and Rubies
The theater ultimately could not contain his charisma, and he went on to be seen in theatrical releases of The Turning Point (he was nominated for an Academy Award) White Nights, and Dancers, as well as on television playing the sexual side of himself, wooing Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.
He became the artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre from 1980 to 1990. He co-founded The White Oak Dance Project with Mark Morris, a touring company for older dancers that lasted until 2002. He then launched the Baryshnikov Arts Center in 2005. He has earned awards, accolades, and honorary degrees the world over. Although Russian born, he finally realized his American citizenship on July 3, 1986.
His achievements, talent, and lust for the world of dance have led him from quest, to journey, to becoming the most influential dancer of our time, still being able to perform beside those half his age. Many men his age have long since hung up their shoes, but he endures, to still bring excitement to the creative process of an Old World discipline.

http://www.bacnyc.org/about/baryshnikov
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/arts/dance/17laro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Baryshnikov
Portrait of a Film, the making of White Nights. Eve Arnold, Anthony Crickmay, Josef Koudelka, Terry O'Neill. ©1985.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8__iRsxG_A