Courtney Henry – Interdisciplinary Creator, Performer, Writer, Educator and Mentor

Courtney Henry is an interdisciplinary creator, performer, writer, educator and mentor working to bring ballet alive for more bodies through Alonzo King LINES Ballet dancer performance and practice. She currently dances as part of Alonzo King LINES Ballet company.

Courtney distinguished himself on 14-15 May 1945 while commanding the 2nd Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines from the Sixth Marine Division during a fierce battle with enemy forces on Sugar Loaf Hill near Okinawa Shima in Ryukyu Islands. For his conspicuous gallantry and courage under fire he was posthumously awarded with the Medal of Honor.

Early Life and Education

Henry Courtney was born January 6th 1916 in Duluth Minnesota. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Minnesota before receiving a call-up to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves during 1940.

He may never return from battle again, but due to the sacrifices he made during Guadalcanal campaign – including saving lives during Battle of Okinawa by stopping Japanese counterattack – his brave actions earned him this highest military award for valor posthumously.

Courtney is an interdisciplinary creator, performer, writer and educator whose practice employs Afro-futurism for liberatory meaning. Her works reimagine ballet so more bodies can find representation within it.

Professional Career

Courtney Henry is an interdisciplinary creator, performer, writer, educator, and mentor whose practices draw upon liberatory Afro-futurism imaginings in which time and space become nonlinear.

She has received recognition from Princess Grace Foundation-USA and Chris Hellman Dance Awards, was featured as part of YAGP ‘Stars of Tomorrow Gala’ Alumni, as well as Goethe Institute Research Beneficiary. Additionally, she has been featured in Dance Magazine, Pointe magazine DIYDancer as an artist/critical contributor; lifestyle/travel publications among many more.

As rehearsals for Alonzo King’s latest ballet, Sand, at Bright Lines Ballet Studio in West Palm Beach, Florida begin, Courtney Henry appears anxious and uncertain at first; once she begins moving across the floor however, her arms unfurl like antennae and her quiet demeanor dissipates quickly.

Achievement and Honors

Henry hails from West Palm Beach, Florida and relocated to NYC for dance education at Fordham University/The Ailey School, receiving her BFA with high distinction in 2011. In 2018 she flew back out for Richard Siegal’s Ballet of Difference’s tour through Europe where they premiered and performed new works and repertoire premiered by Henry.

As a young dancer, she experienced difficulty finding role models who looked like her; but that did not deter her from following her dreams. She entered the Youth America Grand Prix’s Stars of Tomorrow competition and won a scholarship to attend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s summer program, which opened her eyes to dance’s ability to empower and inspire.

Personal Life

Henry is an interdisciplinary creator, dancer, writer and mentor who believes ballet can serve as a vehicle for liberatory imagining. To this end, she employs radical imagery and nonlinear practice techniques in her ballet practice to broaden what people see when attending performances – something Henry views as vitally important when making sense of modern ballet today.

Henry defeated Fogleman by more than 20 points in the May primary and won an Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 3 seat. She has come under scrutiny for meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia shortly after taking office; although, as per Henry, this was just a courtesy meeting.

The Medal of Honor originally went to a foundation in Pennsylvania; however, after advocacy by family and Duluth Historical Society it has now returned home and can be seen at Duluth Depot.

Net Worth

Courtney Henry is an interdisciplinary creator, performer, writer, educator, mentor and mother whose practices draw upon liberatory Afro-futurism imaginaries to expand her creative sphere and her artistic practice. She currently studies how radical imagery can revive ballet form so more bodies can see themselves represented in it.

Hear more about their story at their podcast page here! She is a podcast host, boy mom and health and wellness enthusiast with her own consulting firm helping small businesses to make an impactful impression on customers and employees. When not consulting businesses she can often be found running, yoga-ing, Irish dancing or exploring Maine’s coast.

She is also an actor, having appeared in numerous comedy, romantic, and drama-based films as an actor or supporting role. Additionally, she has provided voice over work for popular video games such as Fallout and Gears of War; additionally producing two short films herself.