a man touches his head to the floor while a woman pulls at her belly

Excavating Gray

Excavating Gray grapples with compulsions that shield us from ease and growth. Rooted in the expressionistic experience of living with OCD, the dance explores moving through states of mental duress.

Choreographer: Kevin Williamson
Premiere Date: 2008
Run Time: 20 minutes

Credits

Choreographer: Kevin Williamson

LACDC Artists:

Arletta Anderson, Marie Doherty, Kate Hutter, Yumi Matsuzaki, Erik Speth, and Kevin Williamson

Collaborators Include:

Original Music: Eric Mason and Kevin Williamson
Lighting Designer: Mason Barker
Costume Designer: Kevin Williamson
Production Manager: Casey Cowan Gale
Photographer: Taso Papadakis

INFO

Trailer coming soon...

A hand presses against the forehead of a face with a figure standing behind her

5 figures kneel with their heads pressed to the floor. each figure is in a square spotlight.

a woman dressed in all black in a contorted position

three figures sit staring out into the space

two figures kneel, leaning their torsos forward

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)