Program Notes

ABOUT

L.A. Contemporary Dance Company presents Story (Un)Structured, an evening-length multidisciplinary dance work by Emmy-nominated Jillian Meyers that examines the functional steps of telling a story while simultaneously questioning how to tell it.

Created by Jillian Meyers in collaboration with the performers, whose live improvisations shape each performance
 

Music: Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Joss Moog & Around7, Theo Parrish
Resident Percussionist: Jillian Meyers

LACDC Artists 

Colleen Loverde, Lily Massie, Kelle Meschede, Jonacy Montero, Melody Morrow, Dawson Walker

CREATIVE TEAM

Artistic Director: Jamila Glass
Executive Director: Napoleon Gladney
Company Manager: Quinn O'Connor

Choreographer: Jillian Meyers
Dramaturg: Jamila Glass
Rehearsal Director: Ayesha Orange

Production Manager: Kate Hutter Mason
Stage Manager: Christina Otarola

Scenic Designer: Kelle Meschede; Scenic Concept Developed with Jillian Meyers
Co-Lighting Designers: Casey Cowan Gale & Brian Gale 
Costume Designer: Ashley Kayombo
 Wardrobe Supervisor: Jamila Glass
BTS Residency Media: Anna Tse
Photographer: Taso Papadakis

Community Relations Manager: Jessie Lee Thorne

PROGRAM NOTES

 
Jillian first began developing this evening-length work in 2023 during a creative residency, and she returned in 2025 for a commissioned project that culminated in an eight-week creative process. Her starting point was a single guiding question: What is a classic story?

Special Note from LACDC’s Artistic Director, Jamila Glass:
During LACDC's 2023 dance audition process, I asked Jillian to facilitate the entire first day of callbacks. As a repertory company, it was important for me to observe how the dancers responded to another artist’s creative approach. That day, Jillian centered the work on rhythmic clarity, text-based improvisation, and phrase material. It has been remarkable to see how the Artists have continued to expand their skills and artistry through their recent work with past LACDC choreographers—Spenser Theberge, Myles Lavallee, Mario Glez, Idoia Rodríguez, and myself—and how the shared movement values from those processes have not only endured, but have been amplified and pushed even further in the work you will witness tonight.

Special Note from Choreographer, Jillian Meyers:
I am honored to be given the opportunity by LACDC to revisit and develop the ideas that were initiated in 2023. I am thrilled that the values and practices I hold close are being expanded upon in a formalized work. I am overjoyed to see how the dance artists dove in with me everyday as we stretched and pulled apart what we were making. My sincerest gratitude to the whole team who brought the on-going ideas to life!

Please silence your phones and other electronic devices during the performances.

The taking of photography and video are not allowed.
Program and Artists are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

L.A. Contemporary Dance is a performance company dedicated to showcasing the artistry of L.A. in live and digital experiences.  We curate creative environments that harness the power of the collective, promote a sense of belonging, and champion exploration and learning without judgment.  In our programming, we share a restlessness of soul and desire for connection with our collaborators and community.  Underscoring our mission to support L.A.-based collaborators, we have commissioned over 35 L.A. choreographers (out of 45 total) and hired 120 dancers who have put down roots in this city. 

Beyond amplifying local talent, we strive to be a launch pad for emerging concert dance choreographers, often giving them their first-ever professional commission with a dance company. This includes artists like Micaela Taylor (2016), Princess Grace Award-winner Roderick George (2020, 2022), and Emmy-nominated Jillian Meyers (2025).  Read more about the company history.

Shavonne Correia, Casey Cowan Gale, Ross Hollenkamp, Michelle Jolly, Kate Hutter Mason, Clifton Smith, Elisa Smith, Ramón Valdez

L.A. County Arts & Culture

Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles

California Arts Council

Perenchio Foundation

Thanks to Iyana Monet, Hunter Wayne, Eugenia Rodriguez, and Damian Gomez for their contributions to this work, as well as Chris Tynan, Alisa Wyman, LADP Staff, Quinn O’Connor, and Illumination Dynamics

Special Thanks to Our Generous LEGACY // FORWARD Sponsors + Donors

Cast Sponsor // Charlie & Collie Hutter

Venue Sponsor // David & Abigail Shapiro

Creator Sponsors // Kate Hutter Mason, Click Bond

Collaborator Sponsors // Shavonne Correia, Ross Hollenkamp

Donors // Karl Hutter, Ric Zimmerman, Ryan & Anna Costella, Brandon Perlich, Michelle Jolly, David Bridel, Arad Vejdani, Tony Shayne, David Rodgers, Danielle Costella, Jeffrey Slayton, Kate Andrews, melissa bailey, Will Schoettle, Ashley Singh, Heather Bowen, Kelsey Vidic, Kevin Williamson, Brittany Mithra, Kara Hartnett Hurst, Andrew Pearson, Dirk Janssen, Meredith Brugler, Hailey Holl-Valdez, Terry Solis, Jessica Eng, Terry Solis

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Thank you for choosing to support LACDC. No matter the amount, you are participating in our creative process, and making dance happen in LA - and beyond!  L.A. Contemporary Dance Company is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization.

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