A contemporary dance company creating original works with serious dancers. Rooted in Black artistic tradition. Based in Inglewood.
We believe the most powerful art comes from the most honest place — the body, the tradition, and the truth of right now.
Art made with
full commitment.
Original Productions
Full-length original works rooted in Black artistic tradition. From Graz to Inglewood — a decade of original choreography culminating in our December 2026 world premiere.
Serious Dancers
We work with trained, committed dancers who bring full technical and artistic investment to every rehearsal and performance. No half measures.
Community Access
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we offer free and sliding-scale tickets so the Inglewood community can experience the work without financial barriers.
Born in
Graz, Austria.
Existanz began in 2016 in Graz, Austria — where founder Challyce Brogdon witnessed what becomes possible when a society invests fully in its artists and its people.
She brought that vision home to Inglewood, California. The contrast became the mission: the people of Inglewood deserve everything.
What the Angels Saw
A contemporary work reimagining the Nativity as the original human love story — told through movement rooted in Black artistic tradition. Rigorous, spiritual, profoundly human.
Born in Austria.
Rooted in Inglewood.
Existanz is a contemporary dance company and 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Inglewood, California — with roots in Graz, Austria, where the company was founded in 2016.
We create original works rooted in Black artistic tradition, and we work with dancers who are serious about the art form — technically rigorous, artistically committed, and fully present.
Founder Challyce Brogdon created Existanz after witnessing what is possible when a society invests fully in its artists. She brought that vision back to Inglewood with a simple and radical conviction: the people of this community deserve everything.
We believe technical excellence and cultural rootedness are the same thing — not opposites, not in tension. The same.
Organization
Challyce Brogdon is a professional dancer, choreographer, and artistic director based in Los Angeles. She trained at the LINES Ballet BFA program — one of the most rigorous contemporary ballet conservatories in the country.
She founded Existanz in Graz, Austria in 2016, producing original works including Antithesis and Time & Space. After returning to her home community of Inglewood, she rebuilt the company as a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a board, bank account, and a growing body of work.
As a Black female choreographer, Challyce builds from Black artistic tradition as foundation — with ballet as one of many tools, not the other way around.
- LINES Ballet BFA — San Francisco, CA
- Founded Existanz in Graz, Austria — 2016
- Productions: Antithesis, Time & Space, Short Stories, FreeBird, Immersion, Making It Work
- 501(c)(3) founder — board, bank account, active organization
- Forthcoming: What the Angels Saw — Dec. 2026
A decade of
original work.
What the Angels Saw
A full-length contemporary work reimagining the Nativity as the original human love story — told through movement rooted in Black artistic tradition.
Mary as a woman of agency and courage. Joseph as witness to something beyond understanding. The angels as movers: beings of pure intention whose bodies carry the story words cannot.
Drawing from contemporary dance, West African and African-American movement traditions, and cinematic storytelling. Rigorous, spiritual, profoundly human.
Tickets: Free and sliding scale for community members
Past Productions
Antithesis
A raw, physical exploration of opposition and tension. Existanz's first major work, performed in Graz to critical attention.
Time & Space
An investigation of how the body occupies and moves through space and time. Performed December 2016 in Graz.
Short Stories
An ensemble work exploring memory, longing, and resilience — told through the body.
FreeBird
A solo and duet examining freedom and constraint, movement and stillness.
Immersion
A site-responsive work placing the audience inside the performance.
Making It Work
An original work exploring craft, persistence, and the labor of creation.
Origins Winter
Intensive
Pre-professional dance training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, House, Conditioning, and Repertory. Daily 5-hour training with professional faculty. College and conservatory prep. Corrections-driven classes.
