by Jeanni Ritchie
While the rest of the world had traded business meetings and power suits for laptops and pajamas in the height of the 2020 pandemic, Lisa B. Lewis was busy creating an entirely new kind of circus.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College graduate had circus in her blood but decided she wanted the performers on stage to more closely match those sitting in the audience. She wanted diversity. She wanted inclusivity.
She built Omnium: A Bold New Circus.
Omnium Circus originally started with online performances. They performed for over 30,000 people virtually in 16 states and 5 countries. As the world opened back up, Lewis decided to take the show on the road.
She knew how important it was. “Omnium has something for everyone, something for every age,” Lewis shares. “We wanted to represent everyone. We also ensure each show is accessible to everyone which is why we choose Performing Arts Centers over tents.”
Lewis continues, “We have two ringmasters that share the stage- one hearing and one deaf. We have a 7-time NCAA champion wheelchair user performing an acrobatic dance.”
Lewis, executive director as well as founder, understands the need for an audience to connect to the performance. “In order to feel connected to a show, you want to feel represented.”
Eric Latcheran, head of Omnium’s volunteer corps, the “Ringmaster Squad” is a person with Down syndrome. Over 40% of the Omnium team identifies as a person with a disability.
This is as true a statement as I’ve ever heard. Whether physically or lyrically, a performance you relate to grabs your heartstrings a little tighter. I found strength in Janis Ian’s Mean Girls “I’d Rather Be Me” tune. It wasn’t Adelaide’s tune I was lamenting in Guys and Dolls, it was Nicely-Nicely’s “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” I’m tired of sitting down!
At the Omnium Circus, I related to the juggler, looking beautiful while performing daring feats in the midst of her juggling. Always with a couple dozen projects I’m simultaneously juggling, I was amazed at the physical manifestation of my life on stage. She didn’t miss a beat!
I’d attended a school show at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette and asked the students near me their favorite part after the show ended.
“The guy in the wheelchair. He was so cool!” one boy said.
“The girl who hung from her long hair,” several girls announced.
Still other students had a third favorite. “The guy that balanced on the skateboard was the best!”
They may have disagreed on a favorite but they were unanimous on the show itself.
“Did y’all enjoy it?” I’d asked.
“YES!” they all screamed in unison!
For more about Omnium: A Bold New Circus visit omniumcircus.org.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
