an olive skinned woman looks out in shock as people behind her rustle her hair

Body Mecanique

A theatrical experience where dancing bodies, rhythmic monologues and a live musical score harmonize to animate the souls of every objects to question how we fulfill our purpose and avoid becoming obsolete.

Performed as a part of “The Machine in the Garden,” a steampunk art exhibition at the Glass Garage Gallery in West Hollywood, CA

Co-Directors: Kate Hutter & Aaron Henne
Premiere Date: 2009
Run Time: 75 minutes

Credits

Co-Directors: Kate Hutter and Aaron Henne
Choreographer: Kate Hutter
Writer: Aaron Henne

LACDC Artists:

Arletta Anderson, Mecca Vazie Andrews, Michael Crotty, and Jamila Glass with Guest Artists Nick Konow and Julie Lockhart

Collaborators Include:

Composer: Eric Mason
Live Music Performance: Eric Mason
Costume Designer: Bert Henert
Production Manager: Casey Cowan Gale
Stage Manager & Lighting Designer: Kate Hutter
Set Designer: Brian Gale
Graphic Designer: Eric Mason
Gallery Owner / Director: Henry Lien
Photographer: Taso Papadakis

L.A. Contemporary Dance - BODY MECANIQUE preview

Additional Info

Preview features LACDC Artists Arletta Anderson & Jamila Glass

four people from fair skinned to brown skinned tones reach down toward another person on the ground

fair skinned man with wavy blonde hair cradles a fair skinned woman like a baby

closeup of a pair of hands, one hand hovering on top of the other one

an olive skinned woman looks out in shock as people behind her rustle her hair

a fair skinned man with blonde hair with his hands on the ears of a dark brown skinned woman whose hands on on top of the man's hands

four people from fair skinned to brown skinned are seated and yelling with the palms facing up in their laps

8 people from fair skinned to brown skinned smile and cheer

a olive skinned bald man wearing black glasses and a brown shirt standing diagonally behind a fair skinned smiling woman with short blonde hair and a orange collared shirt

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)