where the water is warm
October 25-26 2024
7:30pm
Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center
Presented by L.A. Contemporary Dance Company
RUNTIME: 75 minutes (plus two 10-minutes pauses and one 20-minute intermission)
L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) returns to the stage with four world premieres by Los Angeles and Spain-based choreographers showcasing works that explore how our inner lives affect our outer behavior. When our minds are racing and the mental chatter gets too loud, how do we bring ourselves back to the middle to find some semblance of peace?
LACDC Artists
Colleen Loverde, Lily Massie, Kelle Meschede, Jonacy Montero, Melody Morrow, Dawson Walker
All Artists will appear in all four works in the program.
CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director: Jamila Glass
Executive Director: Napoleon Gladney
Company Manager: Quinn O'Connor
Producer: Quinn O'Connor
Rehearsal Director: Ayesha Orange
Production Manager: Erica Ammerman
Stage Manager: Quinn O'Connor
Lighting Designer: Ric Zimmerman
Co-Lighting Designer: Reena Ye
Costume Designer: Ashley Kayombo
Wardrobe Supervisor & Run Crew: Freddie Patrick
Tailor: Robert Huerta
Media Manager: Danielle King
BTS Residency Media: Anna Tse
Community Relations Manager: Jessie Lee Thorne
ACT ONE
of touch of time
(World Premiere)
Created by Spenser Theberge in collaboration with the performers
with special thanks to the contributions of Iyana Monet and Edgar Aguirre
Original Music: Maxwell Transue
Text: Spenser Theberge
Creating "of touch of time" began as an investigation of practicing process and imprinting its memory in our bodies. With great insight from the performers, we explored our relationship to self, others, and space while constantly negotiating the conflict between the present (what is actually happening) and our memory (what we remembered happening). Through this negotiation new realities of physicality and language emerged, and the piece began to find its thematic core. It felt imperative to allow for the performance of this work to be an experience of process rather than a demonstration of product, and so as the performers move through their tracks, they balance set choreography with real-time response to both one another and the space. There's no doing this piece in isolation, it requires the immediacy of their connection. "of touch of time" is the rigorous pursuit of this connection, never the achievement of it.
*** 10-MINUTE PAUSE ***
The Weight of Water
(World Premiere)
Commissioned in partnership with Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) and the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain
Choreographed by Mario Glez
Original Music: AEREA
Text: Mario Glez
Assistant Choreographer: Carolina Alacreu
A piece based on the concept of “overthinking” which will undoubtedly resonate in today’s society. Being a victim of our own thoughts can lead us to feel like an imposter in front of others, to shake our body and our words, or even to think more of others than ourselves.
*** 20-MINUTE INTERMISSION ***
ACT TWO
Leaving with Hope
(World Premiere)
Choreographed by Myles Lavallee in collaboration with the performers
Original Music: Slade Mctaggart
A poignant journey of self-discovery and empathy, this work delves into the intricate dynamics of human connection, isolation, and the power of choice. In witnessing the underlying thread of shared experiences binding these Artists together, there is a desire to reach the audience with a profound sense of optimism…offering a gentle reminder that even in the midst of adversity, there is always the possibility for connection, understanding, and ultimately, hope.
*** 10-MINUTE PAUSE ***
It's Not You, It's Me
(World Premiere)
Choreographed by Jamila Glass
Music: SebastiAn
“It’s Not You, It’s Me” explores the complexities of the inner voice…when to listen to it, when to ignore it, and when to confront it. It considers the teetering point between self reflection and self criticism and disappearing into a crowd altogether as a form of self preservation.
Please silence your phones and other electronic devices during the performances.
The taking of photography and video are not allowed.
Program order and Artists are subject to change.
About the Process
These four works began their process in LACDC's 2023 Fall Creative Residency. Collaborators and Artists workshopped experimental and new movement ideas, prioritizing discovery over mastery. All Artists experienced the same processes together, building an environment that nurtured growth and creativity. Artists worked with Collaborators whose movement vocabularies cover a wide range of dance forms, from ballet and floorwork to hip hop and improvisation, including speaking onstage during performance.
The Unseen Hours: Learn more about the process of each work by watching behind-the-scenes content for where the water is warm.
About the Company
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 110 dancers who have put down roots in this city. Read more about the company history.
LACDC Board Members
Casey Cowan Gale, Michelle Jolly, Kate Hutter Mason, Clifton Smith, Elisa Smith, Ramón Valdez
And WELCOME to new Board Members: Shavonne Correia & Ross Hollenkamp!
Thank You to LACDC Grantors
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Edgar Aguirre & Iyana Monet for their contributions as LACDC Artists to all four works, Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain, Stomping Ground L.A. Staff, Nathan Kim, Sara Silkin and David Johnson of Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center, Taso Papadakis, and Kelsey Vidic
Extra Special Thanks to our CONTINUUM Donors, who are dedicated to the forward momentum of the company: arrowyn ambrose, Paige Amicon, Kate Andrews, Heather Bowen, Lisa Bunch, Shavonne and Kevin Correia, Ryan & Anna Costella, Duke Gervais, Zakiya Glass, Richard Gradone, Ross Hollenkamp, Charlie & Collie Hutter, Danielle Johnson, Michelle Jolly, Michael Karlin, Laura Karlin, Nichol Lazenby, Rebecca Lemme, Alexis Martin, Kate Hutter Mason, Amy Massie, Peter Monro, Andrew Pearson, David Rodgers, Will Schoettle, Ashley Singh, Elisa Smith, Brian Soika, Ramon Valdez, Arad Vejdani, Emily Wanserski, and Ric Zimmerman
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