Ilya & Megan

two people look towards the camera. one olive-skinned person has curly red hair and wears a sleeveless black top. the other is olive-skinned with a black mustache and beard and wears a white button down shirt

Megan Doheny and Ilya Nikurov met working as dancers for the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (KCDC), where they spent a total of 9 seasons performing the works of artistic director Rami Be’er throughout Israel, as well as international tours to more than 20 different countries. They were both awarded the Yair Shapira Prize for their contribution to contemporary dance in Israel (2018 & 2021).

Megan and Ilya began creating works together in 2015, and served as resident choreographers for the International Dance Journey Program in addition to creating pieces for KCDC’s main company as a part of the Alternative Stage Platform in Israel.

In 2021, they established their collaborative dance project, “Outrun The Bear”. Since then, they have been invited to perform their works throughout Europe, Israel, The United States, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and South Korea. In 2023, they collaborated on a new work during Megan’s time as an Artist in Residence at LA Dance Project, and were guest artists at Chapman University. Currently, they enjoy engaging with international audiences through live performance, nurturing artistic relationships across borders through creation and collaboration, and sharing their researched approaches to partnering with movers around the world in their “SYNC UP” explorative workshop.

Headshot by Mark David

After 20 years of artistic creation and community engagement, L.A. Contemporary Dance concludes its journey as an organization as of January 9, 2026.

Founded to showcase dance in Los Angeles, LACDC evolved into a home for collective artistry where performances were crafted by choreographers and dancers alongside playwrights, composers, designers, filmmakers, photographers, stage managers, technicians — an incredible team whose imaginative work gave shape and emotional depth to our repertory. These collaborations brought contemporary dance to life in ways that were bold, explorative, expressive, and accessible.

Through live events, digital experiences, and educational programming, LACDC cultivated environments rooted in curiosity, belonging, and learning without judgment. The organization consistently asked how contemporary dance might better reflect and serve the community around it, valuing discovery over mastery and process alongside performance.

This vision was made possible thanks to the creativity and leadership of our Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, Managing Directors, and Company Staff:

Artistic Leadership

Kate Hutter Mason — Artistic Director & Co-founder (2005–2015)
Genevieve Carson — Artistic Director (2016–2020)
Jamila Glass — Artistic Director (2021–2025)

Executive & Managing Leadership

Michelle Jolly — Executive Director & Co-founder (2005–2009)
Lauren Dragicevich — Managing Director (2009–2013)
Eva Angeloff — Managing Director (2013–2018)
Napoleon Gladney — Executive Director (2019–2025)

We are profoundly grateful to all who have left their fingerprints on the organization. This work would not have been possible without the support of our board members, donors, producers, presenters, community partners, volunteers, students, audiences, friends, and family — all who believed in this work. You made it possible.

While LACDC as an organization is closing, the values we cultivated continue forward through the relationships formed here and in all of you.

To anyone considering starting a company or pursuing a dream project — do it. Start now. Don’t wait for the opportunity; be the opportunity. We need your voice and creative work more than ever.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey.

L.A. Contemporary Dance
(2005–2025)