Kris Lenzo had no prior dance experience when he joined the first showcase of “CounterBalance” in 2009, but now 17 years later, Lenzo looks forward to the yearly opportunity to perform with other disabled dancers in front of a crowd that keeps on growing.
“After the first dance, I was really into it and I just didn’t see it coming. But I’m really glad that’s what I’ve been doing since then,” Lenzo said.
After having both of his legs amputated at 19, Lenzo continued to be an athlete and is pursuing his passion of dance. Lenzo joined the Momenta Dance Company in 2003, and joins them yearly at the “CounterBalance” showcase.
Momenta celebrated their 15th annual showing of the “CounterBalance” showcase on Friday, Oct. 16, with around 60 people filling out a theater in Columbia’s Dance Center at 1306 S. Michigan Ave.
“CounterBalance” is an inclusive dance concert focused on giving dancers of all different types of abilities a chance to perform. Audience member Bett Danganan related to the showcase in a more personal way than most.
“I wanted to come because I am a professional dancer, but I’m navigating injuries that have left me with a new disability,” Danganan said. “So I’m looking to get involved in spaces and organizations that integrate dance and disability”
The idea for “CounterBalance” started back in 2008. Ginger Lane co-founded the idea as a disabled dancer herself.
“It came about because the organization that I worked for, Access Living, had started a disability arts and culture project but dance had not been included,” Lane said. “So because I’m a dancer, I said, ‘why don’t we put on a show so that we can include a disability art component?’”
The first “CounterBalance” was not the production that can be seen today. In fact, it didn’t even take place on a stage.
“It started as a one-evening performance, it was in an office building in the conference room,” Lane said. “It has grown into a very professional evening and a wonderful stage for disabled performers.”
Ever since then, the show has continued to grow. Lane said the original showcase struggled to find people who wanted to participate, but now, the performance showcases 21 dancers.
“We were scrambling for good dancers. And now there are many good dancers who have disabilities and use wheelchairs, and that’s very encouraging to me,” Lane said. “I’m very proud that instead of having to be dragged in to do it, people eagerly want to participate.”
Jess Martin, a dancer in “CounterBalance,” is an electric wheelchair user who started out performing with Momenta in their showcase over a decade ago. Their experience working with Momenta inspired them to start choreographing their own shows.
Even with their own successful showcase, Martin still returns every year to perform in “CounterBalance.”
“It’s amazing to see all different types of people coming together to see inclusion, dance and beauty, to see people just loving it,” Martin said. “The energy from the audience is exactly what we need. I have visual problems, but I can hear the audience like you wouldn’t believe.”
Ladonna Freidheim performed in Friday’s showcase, but she also has behind the scenes experience as Momenta’s treasurer. Freidheim shared that keeping “CounterBalance” going was not an easy feat.
“Part of the hard work is convincing society that people with disabilities belong and have value. That’s really the point of the show,” Freidheim said.
Sophomore dance major Emily Lhanang understood that message. As an audience member, Lhanang felt that the show was a great way to shine a light on performers with different abilities.
“What is the function of expression if you’re not letting that be malleable to different people,” Lhanang said. “I think it’s important that every person can express themselves, no matter if they’re disabled. It’s important that a community is a community of every kind of person.”
Copy edited by Isaac Russo
