several people embrace

Cave: A Dance For Lilith

"Cave...A Dance for Lilith" is an exciting collision of theatre, dance and music that explores the humanity behind the myth of one of the most infamous demon goddesses of Jewish folklore. Lilith's violent reputation has been feared throughout the centuries and sensationalized everywhere from classical art to TV's True Blood. According to some interpretations of Genesis, she is also the first woman--created even before Eve. The piece will take a look at political and personal conflict in today's world by investigating the multicultural sources behind all of these tales.

"Cave..." is a co-production between LA Contemporary Dance Company and theatre dybbuk, which features lyrical language, visceral movement and original musical composition. Kate Hutter, LACDC Artistic Director (2005-2015) and choreographer, and Aaron Henne, theatre dybbuk Artistic Director and playwright, co-direct the piece. For Henne and Hutter, dance and text are used as equal vocabularies to communicate story and create unique theatrical landscapes. This collaboration with LACDC marks the third joint venture between Aaron Henne and Kate Hutter, and the first full production for theatre dybbuk.

Co-Directed by Kate Hutter & Aaron Henne
Premiere Date: 2012
Run Time: 115 minutes

Credits

Co-Directors: Kate Hutter & Aaron Henne

LACDC Artists:

Melissa Schade, Tiffany Sweat, Athena Sterig, Omar Olivas, Andrew Pearson with Actors Brad Culver & Julie Lockhart

Collaborators Include:

Composition, Sound Design and Live Instrumentation: Eric Mason
Sound Design: Martin Carrillo
Costume Designer: Bert Henert
Asst. Costume Designer: Kate Poppen
Lighting Designer: Mason T. Barker
Set Construction: Julianne Eggold
Stage Manager: Nicole Rossi
Photographer: Taso Papadakis

Cave...A Dance for Lilith

a group hug with person standing in the background with their hands framing their face

3 people stand in black sand draped in red cloth while a woman walks amongst them

4 people lay on their backs in black sand

a woman crawls in black sand

two people sternly watch two others get dressed

a man with mutliple hands grabbing his body

a woman yells with her arms outstretched

a woman holds on to a red rope while thrashing her head. a man holds onto her arm.

a man kneels with his arms outstretched

a man and woman face off, yelling at each other

a group of hands emerge from a sea of blackness surrounding a woman

a man wrapped in a red cloth while a group of people sit on the ground in the background

a red ribbon is wrapped around a woman's face and mouth

a group of people in line clutch their chests

bodies laying in black sand

a woman yelling

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)