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Who Am I Now?

“And now, here is my secret, a very simple secret. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye”   

--Antoine de Saint-Exupery from "The Little Prince" 

“Who Am I Now?” is a presentation but more critically a discussion. Heidi Latsky will share her recent journey through the discovery, surgery, and recovery from a benign brain tumor that had been there for 20 years. What makes her story compelling is that 55 years ago her mother had the same meningioma and she, like her daughter now, was a vital part of her mother's support system. A few films will be viewed to expose participants to the fierce vulnerability of HLD's dancers as she explains the trajectory of her career in inclusive dance.  In telling her story, Heidi aims to connect with audiences who have lived with disabilities and without. The goal is to bring everyone into the conversation to discuss and explore identity, labels, the disability dance landscape, the resilience of the dance and disability communities, and non-apparent disabilities that are often so misunderstood and feared. Heidi will also discuss the impact of this life changing experience on her work, very much influenced by her renewed deep connection with her mother who died in 2004 as well as a new group of dancers who share with her similar non-apparent disabilities. But most importantly, Heidi wants the participants to understand that her story is the jumping off point but that this workshop is something the participants will guide with their questions and interests.

“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.”

--Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Heidi Latsky

Heidi Latsky, the New York-based multi award-winning dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, educator, and Artistic Director, is a leader in the physically integrated dance field.  Her company, Heidi Latsky Dance (HLD), has created ground-breaking work for multiple casts of highly talented disabled and non-disabled dancers.  With a manifesto that is dedicated to disrupting space, dismantling normalcy, and challenging contemporary views on the definition of beauty, HLD’s significant repertoire - including the critically-acclaimed ‘GIMP’- has been seen by audiences across the USA and abroad.

As a filmmaker Heidi has created films produced by Montclair State University in 2015 and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 2020 for the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She has also produced numerous “movement portraits” in the form of films that have appeared at film festivals over the last few years, as well as volumetric videos (holograms).

As a keynote speaker, Heidi has spoken about inclusion at venues like Harvard, Cornell University, Chicago Humanities Festival, annually with Fulbright scholars through One to World and at multiple festivals and conferences. In 2023, she was honored by the IDEAL School of Manhattan for her social justice advocacy, received the Martha Hill Fund Mid-Career Award and was chosen to be a Grand Marshal for NYC’s Dance Parade.

As an educator, she was Head of Movement at the School for Film and Television in NYC for seven years and has developed a series of programs, specifically “Dancing Ourselves” which teaches the core values of HLD as a complete experience.

Awards received have included the NEA; NYSCA; Creative Capital; Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Development Fund & Disability Forward Fund; the Arnhold Foundation; NYC Department of Transportation Public Activations; MAP Fund; New York Community Trust; Canada Council for the Arts; Harkness Foundation for Dance; MidAtlantic Arts Foundation; Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; Google’s Creative Lab; Craig H. Neilsen Foundation; Inaugural Disability Forward Fund Recipient; NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; Dance/NYC Dance. Disability. Artistry.

The company’s most significantly accessible work, commissioned by NYC’s Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in 2015 for the 25th anniversary of the ADA, is the powerful ON DISPLAY, a site-specific sculpture court series. ‘ON DISPLAY’ is also performed annually and globally in over 30 countries both live and on Zoom on December 3rd honoring the UNs’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Heidi is currently working on a new evening length dance, TRACKING PARALLEL, based on the 55-year gap between her mother at 33 undergoing brain tumor surgery and Heidi undergoing the same this year.  The piece, featuring 10 dancers most of whom have non-apparent disabilities, will investigate the experience of living with such disabilities. She is also now interested in telling her story and facilitating discourse through a new speaking series titled “Who am I now?” and a series of films WHAT IS ESSENTIAL featuring dancers with non-apparent disabilities.

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Risk Waiver & Photo Release

By participating in the ARTs + Change Virtual Conference, I acknowledge and assume responsibility for any inherent risks, including but not limited to technical issues (e.g., internet disruptions, data loss), privacy concerns (e.g., unauthorized sharing or recording), or physical injury (e.g., from movement-based workshops). I understand that the University of Rochester and its representatives are not liable unless due to gross negligence or willful misconduct. My participation is voluntary.

Additionally, I consent to the use of my image or name if my camera is on during the virtual event. If I prefer not to be included in archived footage, I may turn off my camera or use an alternate display name.