late bloomer

"late bloomer" is a visceral, full bodied quintet that features nuanced, highly articulate movement vocabulary, showcasing the unique artistry and technical prowess of each performer. Exploring individualism versus conformity, the group shifts in and out of unison and solo work while navigating complex stage patterns inside a slow build to a climactic apex.

Choreographer: Genevieve Carson
Premiere Date: 2018
Run Time: 10 minutes

Credits

Choreographer:

Genevieve Carson

LACDC Artists:

Tess Hewlett, JM Rodriguez, Ryan Ruiz, Drea Sobke, Tiffany Sweat

Collaborators include:

Costumes: Genevieve Carson
Music: Michael Wall
Photographer: Paul Antico

INFO

Trailer coming soon...

"Late Bloomer is packed with individuality and loneliness. The dancers rarely physically touch, lending a sense of each person living privately inside the norm." -- Jeff Slayton, L.A. Dance Chronicle

a man reaches out one arm and one leg while a woman walks upstage

a woman balances on one leg while a man in a lunge stretches out his arms

four dancers face upstage with arms raised while one dancer faces downstage with arms raised

a man balances on one leg while four dancers face upstage with arms raised

four dancers crouch down covering their faces while one dancer in the center stands while covering her face

five dancers face upstage with their arms raised

five dancers lunge with their hands cupping their faces

a man in a lunge with his arms flying back

a woman watches three dancers who stand in attitude

a woman balances on one leg while stretching one arm foward

a woman in a lunge while two dancers face upstage with one arm raised

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)