a man balances his chest on the knees of two women

Persist

Created in a tumultuous political landscape, the work is inspired by the effort and endurance required to persevere in the face of injustice. Supported by music from Jodie Landau and Wild UP, the work takes on a glacial quality of extremes as movement slowly evolves and then crashes under its own weight only to reform and rise again.

Choreographer: Rebecca Lemme
Premiere Date: 2017
Run Time: 11 minutes

Credits

Choreographer:

Rebecca Lemme

LACDC Artists:

Nicholas Heitzeberg, Tess Hewlett, Tiffany Sweat

Collaborators include:

Original Composition by Andrew Tholl; Performed by WildUp
Lighting Designer: Bryanna Brock
Costume Designer: Sami Martin Sarmiento
Photographer: Cheryl Mann

INFO

Trailer coming soon...

a man climbs on the shoulders of two women

a man and a woman support a woman in an arabesque

a woman stands with two people in a puddle at her feet

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)