two women balance on the backs of two women who are on all fours

A Silver Lining

A comical, playful, cartoon in action where the dancers navigate the off-kilter imagination of Shel Silverstein and his whimsical poetry. Inspired by Shel’s famed illustrations, the dancers move through the space taping out images on the floor that become their life size drawings to interact with and influence their movements.

Choreographer: Mike Esperanza
Premiere Date: 2011
Run Time: 21 minutes

Credits

Choreographer: Mike Esperanza

LACDC Artists:

Genevieve Carson, Hyosun Choi, Jamila Glass, Kate Hutter

Collaborators Include:

Original Music: Mike Esperanza
Lighting Designer: Jeremy Pivnick
Costume Designer: Mike Esperanza
Photographer: Eric Mason

INFO

Mike also created an original score for the piece including found sounds like the quirky melody of duct tape being pulled off the roll. Mike’s work is known as visual poetry full of gestures and engaging mannerisms that keep the audience involved in each of the character’s peculiarities.

three women with one hand to their eye with the other hand outstretched

a woman rolls out masking tape while another woman watches

a woman laughs while another woman stands behind her using her arms as an illusion

a woman stands behind another woman becoming that woman's arms

a woman trapped underneath masking tape while three other women watch

a woman steps on a strip of masking tape like it's a tightrope while another woman watches

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)