Naneh

“Naneh”, meaning mother in Farsi, unveils and peels apart the idea of motherhood and the matriarchy. A child tells this story through his or her perspective. ⁣ Choreographed by Roya Carreras, it is a story about love, lineage, and generational traumas. It is a story being told during the anticipation of facing death.⁣⁣

Choreographer: Roya Carreras
Premiere Date: 2020
Run Time: 26 minutes

Credits

Choreographer:

Roya Carreras

LACDC Artists:

Christian Beasley, Genevive Carson, Jamila Glass, Tess Hewlett, Malachi Middleton, Drea Sobke

Collaborators include:

Music: Kristian Eidenes Anderson, Shigeru Umebayashi, Michael Nyman, David Lang, Fredric Chopin, Aleski Perola
Lighting Designer: Ric Zimmerman
Costume Designer: Kelsey Vidic
Assistant Costume Designer: Daniel Miramontes
Additional Sound Design: Robert Amjarv
Additional Staging: Genevieve Carson
Photographer: Robbie Sweeny

Trailer coming soon...

woman in blue dress on the floor with legs hovering

four people sit on their knees while holding a scarf above their head

a woman cradles a body on her lap while in the background a man extends his leg into arabesque, assisted by a woman

man and woman close to the floor partnering

man balances on one leg while leaning back

a group of people stretch their clasped hands outward

a group of people pull on a woman as she tries to escape

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)