CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater

What CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater does

CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance company (EIN: 20-5477825) founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Ana María Álvarez and based in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The company creates and performs activist, participatory dance-theater works rooted in a collaborative creation methodology, with signature productions including ¡azúcar! (2022) and the upcoming Roots of Loving Us (scheduled October 2026). Its work addresses identity, justice, and community, and is structured around a small ensemble of dancers that the company activates for both performance and touring.

The organization's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a single monetization stream. Operating revenue is drawn from (1) ticket sales at $30-$55 per performance, (2) a four-tier individual membership program priced at $15, $35, $75, and $150 per month, (3) institutional grants from foundations including the James Irvine Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, NEFA, and the California Arts Council, (4) merchandise, and (5) earned revenue from year-round education and community programming delivered through a network of more than 40 K-12 and university partnerships that reach thousands of young people annually. Distribution is anchored in a Leimert Park home base, augmented by a national touring footprint across multiple U.S. cities and, most recently, a screen channel via the Aire Libre film released in June 2025. The company is essentially a content-and-program organization whose "product" is live performance plus participatory civic engagement, with foundation and individual contributions underwriting both creation and access.

Name

CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater

Legal name

CONTRA-TIEMPO

Website

https://contra-tiempo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CONTRA-TIEMPO is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) activist dance theater company that creates participatory dance-theater works, tours nationally, runs education programs through 40+ school and university partners, and funds operations via grants, memberships, and ticket sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Urban/Street Dance Performances (Hip-Hop, Breaking) (MPAGADAF), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Activist dance theater
• Performing arts company
• Dance education programs
• Community engagement arts
• Cultural performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Memberships and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CONTRA-TIEMPO relies heavily on individual contributions. The company offers tiered membership programs from $15-$150/month with various benefits including training access, branded merchandise, and donor events. They explicitly state that 100% of donations are redirected to artists, community engagements, and arts education programs. Donations are tax-deductible (TAX ID#20-5477825).
2. Performance and Booking Revenue: Revenue from ticketed performances at theaters, festivals, and venues. The company books performances for touring engagements at universities, cultural institutions, and community venues. Ticket prices vary by venue (e.g., $30-$55 for UC San Diego performances).
3. Education Programs and School Residencies: Fee-for-service programs delivered in schools including residencies, professional development for educators, and classroom workshops. The company has partnerships with over 40 schools and universities across the nation. Teaching artist services are offered to educational institutions.
4. Training and Workshop Fees: Revenue from dance intensives (e.g., Weekend Warrior Dance Intensive at $30/day), company repertoire classes, and specialized workshops like the Embodied Bookclub series. Open company classes are offered free to members or for fees to non-members.
5. Institutional Grants and Funders: The company receives support from foundations and government arts agencies including The James Irvine Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation/DanceUSA, New England Foundation for the Arts, California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs. These grants support specific productions and operational costs.
6. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise through their CT Gear shop including apparel and accessories featuring the CONTRA-TIEMPO brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CONTRA-TIEMPO is a Los Angeles-based activist dance theater company that creates, produces, and tours evening-length participatory dance theater works rooted in Afro-Latin diaspora movement vocabularies. Beyond performance, the company delivers K-12 school residencies, teacher training programs, open company classes, dance intensives, community engagement events, dance films, and a tiered membership/donation program supporting its 501(c)(3) mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• joyUS justUS Evening-length participatory dance theater work exploring joy as resistance, performed for general audiences and presented by touring venues.
• ¡azúcar! Evening-length performance work exploring the legacy of sugar and slavery and confronting anti-Blackness in Latinidad, developed in collaboration with Afro-Cuban master artists.
• Roots of Loving Us Evening-length choreographic work created with Holly Johnston of Responsive Body, exploring themes of adoption, foster families, queer parents, and diverse birthing experiences through somatic healing practices.
• Aire Libre Activist dance film rooted in Afro-Latin diaspora and public space, screened at film festivals and cinema venues.
• School Residencies

Quantifiable outcome

• Partnerships with over 40 schools, colleges, and universities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered key presenting partner, community partner, key creative partner, creative collaborator, academic partner, expert collaborator, theater partner, presenting partner, thought partner and educational partner.

• Ordway Center for the Performing Artskey presenting partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming arts center in Minnesota that commissioned joyUS justUS and has presented the company's work, providing both funding and performance venue.
• East Yard Communities for Environmental Justicecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization collaborating on 'Aire Libre' dance film, bringing environmental justice perspective to the project.
• Holly Johnston / Responsive Bodykey creative partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-choreographer and creative collaborator on Roots of Loving Us, bringing somatic healing practices and Responsive Body methodology to the partnership.
• Las Cafeteraskey creative partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast LA-based chicanx son jarocho band that provided original music for joyUS justUS, with shared commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
• d. Sabela grimescreative collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSound designer and composer who created sound design for joyUS justUS, adding rhythmic and musical depth to the performance.
• Kati Hernandezkey creative partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfro-Cuban Master Teacher and guest artist collaborating on ¡azúcar!, providing core artistic and cultural expertise in Afro-Latine movement.
• Village Well Books & Coffeecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulver City bookstore co-hosting the Embodied Bookclub series combining literature with movement practices.
• Echoes of Hopecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles-based organization partnering on Roots of Loving Us, contributing to community workshops and storytelling circles.
• Community Coalitioncommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth LA organizing anchor that is a community partner for Roots of Loving Us and ongoing programming, including joint events like Movement for the Movement workshops.
• ArtPower (UC San Diego)key presenting partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity presenting organization co-producing World Premiere of Roots of Loving Us at Epstein Family Amphitheater.
• Shenandoah Universityacademic partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia university hosting Roots of Loving Us residency with community Sabor Session and public work-in-progress sharing.
• University of Tampaacademic partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida university listed as partnering organization for Roots of Loving Us community engagement and performance project.
• Yozmit The DogStarcreative collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance artist and fashion designer collaborating on Roots of Loving Us, blending fashion and dance into costumes that embody the piece's themes.
• Mary Jackson (pre/perinatal somatic psychologist)expert collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSomatic psychologist partnering on Roots of Loving Us, contributing expertise on pre/perinatal experiences and family dynamics.
• Cornerstone Theater Companytheater partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles theater company collaborating on 'Direct Address' project with CONTRA-TIEMPO.
• Grand Performancespresenting partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA-based presenting organization that has featured CONTRA-TIEMPO in free public performances, including Celia Cruz tribute event.
• Rocío Carlos (poet)creative collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoet collaborating on 'Aire Libre' dance film, contributing literary and cultural perspective.
• Carmina Escobar (vocalist)creative collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocalist from CalArts contributing to 'Aire Libre' film sound design and performance.
• Joung-A Monica Yum (conductor)creative collaboratorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConductor contributing to 'Aire Libre' film musical elements.
• Quetzal Floresthought partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDear friend and collaborator who guided CONTRA-TIEMPO through conversations about Transformative Justice practices and philosophy.
• CAP UCLA (Design for Sharing)educational partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLA arts education program presenting CONTRA-TIEMPO's work joyUS justUS and Roots of Loving Us for school audiences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pilobolus: Connecticut-based dance company with an extensive touring model and development of distinctive artistic vocabulary, comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO in touring-driven revenue model and commitment to innovative choreography, though broader in commercial reach.
• Dance Theatre of Harlem: NYC-based nonprofit dance company with national touring and education programming, comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO in nonprofit governance, touring repertoire, and mission-driven approach to arts education, though focused on classical ballet training.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Major NYC-based nonprofit dance institution with extensive national touring and education programs, comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO in nonprofit dance model and commitment to community-centered dance education, though operating at substantially larger scale and broader scope.

Direct peers

• Ballet Hispánico: NYC-based Latinx dance company with extensive K-12 and community education programming, national touring, and a nonprofit operating model highly comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO's mission-driven Latinx representation and educational reach.
• Urban Bush Women: Brooklyn-based activist dance company using performance as a vehicle for community engagement and social justice, with comparable focus on participatory formats, cultural identity work, and national touring — the closest operational and mission analog to CONTRA-TIEMPO.
• Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Mission-driven nonprofit dance company with national touring and education programming rooted in cultural identity, comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO in community-centered dance approach and touring-driven nonprofit operating model.
• Versa-Style Dance Company: Los Angeles-based hip-hop dance company with education and community programming that fuses street dance traditions with outreach — comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO's LA-based community engagement and dance-as-social-action pedagogy.
• Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Salt Lake City-based contemporary dance company with national touring and education programming, comparable to CONTRA-TIEMPO in touring-driven revenue model and K-12/community education focus.

Others

• Las Cafeteras: East LA-based Chicanx son jarocho band that has directly collaborated with CONTRA-TIEMPO on joyUS justUS, sharing commitment to social justice, East LA cultural identity, and community-embedded performance practice.
• National Dance Project: New England Foundation for the Arts program that provides grants and touring support for new dance creation — an institutional partner/infrastructure layer that has directly supported CONTRA-TIEMPO's touring works and that contextualizes the funding ecosystem in which the company operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/contra-tiempo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater