Culminating 10 Years of ReelAbilities NJ Film Festival

The College of the Art’s celebration of inclusivity and the arts reached a meaningful milestone with the culminating event of ten years of ReelAbilities programming, events, and festivals: a performance and discussion of Who Am I Now? by Heidi Latsky Dance.

The performance invited audiences to reflect on the question, “When the worlds turn upside down, what are the stories we tell?” Choreographer and disability advocate Heidi Latsky shared her personal journey through the discover, surgery, and recovery from a benign brain tumor. Alongside dancers Nico Gonzales and Henry Holmes, she explored themes of identity, resilience, and the often-misunderstood experiences of people with non-apparent disabilities.

Through powerful movement and candid conversation, the event encouraged audiences to engage deeply with ideas surrounding labels, the disability dance landscape, and the importance of inclusive community building.

When asked how individuals can best support the disability community, Latsky offered simple yet profound advice:

“Be generous, kind, and compassionate to be an ally to the disability community.”

–  Heidi Latsky

Dancer Nico Gonzales added a resonant reflection on empathy and respect:

“Life is an improv. You can be present, or just go on autopilot.”

– Nico Gonzales

The evening served as both a performance and a call to action, inviting all attendees to be more mindful, more present, and more connected.

ReelAbilities was supported by the Office of Education and Community Outreach (OECO) in the College of the Arts at Montclair State University, and made possible through the generous support of the Kessler Foundation.