Jessie Lee Thorne

person in white button down and short black hair looking at the camera

Jessie Lee Thorne (she/they) is a multifaceted artist hailing from Los Angeles, California, with a skill set spanning dance, choreography, filmmaking, and creative production. Beginning their performance journey in Italy under Walter Matteini, Jessie toured extensively across Europe, Israel, and Russia. Later, as a founding member of Micaela Taylor’s The TL Collective, Jessie spent six years touring across the US, Canada, Panama, and Germany. Their prowess extends to directing and choreography, evident in award-winning films and stage productions like "Topia," commissioned by Boston Moving Arts, which received accolades such as "Best Dance Film" at the Paris Play Film Festival and "Best Screendance Short" at Indie Short Fest. Jessie's live adaptation of "Topia" premiered at The Odyssey Theater LA in 2023. Upcoming commissions include: The Boston Conservatory, Backhausdance and Mash Up Dance Company. Their commercial dance and choreography work can be found in music videos for renowned artists including but not limited to RY X, Emmit Fenn, David Archuleta, Kevin Mchale and films like Universal's "Bobbleheads" among others. As an educator, Jessie has shared their expertise through classes and workshops at esteemed institutions like The Boston Conservatory, Chapman University, and UCLA. Jessie Lee Thorne is dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of cultivating connection through the transformative power of art.

@jessieleethorne

*Headshot by Nick Gonzalez

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)