a group of people laying on the floor with their backs arched

Animus

Projecting an image of what our personal monstrosity looks like in a psychological and physical form, we see how people manipulate and bully others to cast off their anger, and how this in turn creates a persistent and abusive inner monologue that we must learn to overcome.

Choreographer: Nichol Mason
Premiere Date: 2008
Run Time: 15 minutes

Credits

Choreographer: Nichol Mason

LACDC Artists:

Zsolt Banki, Natalie Hurter, Kate Hutter Mason, Kevin Williamson

Collaborators Include:

Original Music: Eric Mason
Lighting Designer: Mike Mahlum
Costume Designer: Erin Hennessy
Photographer: Eric Mason

INFO

Nichol Mason focuses on the personal monstrosity, those inner dialogues that we have with ourselves that brew up very primal instincts and things that might be only experienced by the individual or make us more prone to act against others. [It's an] interior or psychological interpretation of myths and monsters.

Trailer coming soon...

two fair skinned women in grey. one hugs the other from behind.

two figures on one knee looking off into the distance

a man and woman throw themselves off of the floor

woman hovers over another woman on the ground

a woman hovers over another woman on the floor

woman on her knees with arms outstretched

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)