ABOUT WHIM W’HIM

mission

Whim W’Him nurtures community with contemporary dance
by cultivating space for artists to imagine and explore the human condition

ABOUT WHIM W’HIM

mission

Whim W’Him nurtures community with contemporary dance by cultivating space for artists to imagine and explore the human condition.

history

Founded in 2009, Whim W’Him is an award-winning Seattle-based contemporary dance company that showcases innovative dance in collaboration with global artists.

Past collaborators include Danielle Agami, Juanjo Arques, Andrew Bartee, Adam BarruchBanning Bouldin, Rena Butler, Jonathan Campbell, Mark Caserta, Ethan Colangelo, Brendan Duggan, Lauren Edson, Mike Esperanza, James Gregg, Mark Haim, Joseph Hernandez, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Larry Keigwin, Maurya KerrAlice KlockGabrielle Lamb, Loni Landon, Emilie Leriche, Florian Lochner, MADBOOTS, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Madison Olandt, Joshua Peugh, Bruno Roque, Omar Román De JesúsIhsan RustemPenny SaundersZoe Scofield, Dolly Sfeir, Micaela Taylor, Pascal Touzeau, Mike Tyus, Manuel Vignoulle, Nicole von Arx, Kate Wallich, Dominic Walsh, Olivier Wevers, Rauf Yasit, Yin Yue.

where we whim

We perform at Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, Erickson Theater, Vashon Center for The Arts, and Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
Our rehearsals take place at Yaw Theater
Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Center is located at 1716 2nd Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109

awards

“Best Dance Organization” -TeenTix (2017)
“Best Dance Company” Seattle Weekly Readers (2017)
“Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award” -City of Seattle (2012)
“Best Arts Organization” -Seattle Weekly Readers (2011)

history

Founded in 2009, Whim W’Him is an award-winning Seattle-based contemporary dance company that showcases innovative dance in collaboration with global artists.

Past collaborators include Danielle Agami, Juanjo Arques, Andrew Bartee, Adam BarruchBanning Bouldin, Rena Butler, Jonathan Campbell, Mark Caserta, Ethan Colangelo, Brendan Duggan, Lauren Edson, Mike Esperanza, James Gregg, Mark Haim, Joseph Hernandez, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Larry Keigwin, Maurya KerrAlice KlockGabrielle Lamb, Loni Landon, Emilie Leriche, Florian Lochner, MADBOOTS, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Madison Olandt, Joshua Peugh, Bruno Roque, Omar Román De JesúsIhsan RustemPenny SaundersZoe Scofield, Dolly Sfeir, Micaela Taylor, Pascal Touzeau, Mike Tyus, Manuel Vignoulle, Nicole von Arx, Kate Wallich, Dominic Walsh, Olivier Wevers, Rauf Yasit, Yin Yue.

where we whim

We perform at Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, Erickson Theater, Vashon Center for The Arts, and Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
Our rehearsals take place at Yaw Theater
Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Center is located at 1716 2nd Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109

awards

“Best Dance Organization” -TeenTix (2017)
“Best Dance Company” Seattle Weekly Readers (2017)
“Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award” -City of Seattle (2012)
“Best Arts Organization” -Seattle Weekly Readers (2011)

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CREATIONS
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DANCERS
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CHOREOGRAPHERS
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SEASONS

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

he/him/his

From ballet training in his native Belgium, Olivier learned the beauty, passion and discipline of the art. On coming to North America at age 19, he discovered the exhilaration of many new dance forms. As a principal dancer, first with Royal Winnipeg Ballet and later, for most of his dancing career, with Pacific Northwest Ballet, he acquired his strong conviction that dancers are the heart and soul of a company. As such they, and artists in general, must live at the very center of the process, their dignity, psychological and creative growth and safety deemed just as essential as their technical accomplishments. 

During his years of performing in classical and contemporary works by choreographers from around the world, Olivier also discovered the thrill of making dances and how imaginative story-telling and movement exploration connect to caring about individuality and physicality. Creating dances fed his perennial curiosity. It became my way to express myself and, during the process, to be able to learn more about the human condition, start dialogues, touch people and share ideas, reflecting on our times and our humanity.”

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

he/him/his

Originally from Brussels, Belgium, Olivier is the founder and Artistic Director of Seattle’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company Whim W’Him. In 2012 Olivier was honored with the City of Seattle’s Mayor’s Arts Award and in 2011 he received the Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship. In both 2011 and 2010 Olivier’s work took home the grand prize award at the Annual Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival in California and he has also been named by Dance Magazine as one of their 25 to watch.

OPPORTUNITIES

Find out about our audition process

Find out about our call for choreographers for our annual CHOREOGRAPHIC SHINDIG

PAST CREATIONS

Learn about the 88 new contemporary dance creations that Whim W’Him has premiered since 2010

OPPORTUNITIES

Find out about our audition process

Find out about our call for choreographers for our annual CHOREOGRAPHIC SHINDIG

PAST CREATIONS

Learn about the 88 new contemporary dance creations that Whim W’Him has premiered since 2010

VISION

Enriching lives by investing in imagination,
illuminating that art exists within each and everyone

VALUES

people first always

We recognize the humanity of our artists, staff, and collaborators and treat everyone with compassion and empathy, honoring everyone’s mental, physical, and spiritual needs above all else.

diversity, equity, and inclusion

We actively seek out and embrace a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We work to recognize and dismantle inequities and systemic oppression within our organization and in the dance field. We keep our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront of our policies and practices.

trust and respect

We want our artists to thrive, take ownership of their place within Whim W’Him, and innovate in a brave and creative space. We listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully, always assuming positive intent.

gratitude and humility

We share space with honesty, transparency, and vulnerability. We value the efforts of others and show appreciation, support, and kindness. We practice humility in our relationships.

curiosity

We are curious about fresh possibilities and embrace risk, creating new works that challenge and inspire. We bring a commitment to lifelong learning to our work.

community

We represent, uplift, and invest in community through our work, who we collaborate with, and where we perform. We push our limits and challenge our decisions. We innovate and explore to foster the social changes we want to see.

accountability

We nurture an organizational culture that embraces adaptability, aims for excellence, and doesn’t dwell on mistakes or make excuses. We accept responsibility for our actions, work to repair harm done, and don’t blame others.

organizational sustainability

We are responsible and creative stewards of our resources.

NEXT

be moved
by our next
program

DONATE

every gift makes an
impact on our artists,
programs and community

ABOUT

Learn more
about who we are
and what we do

NEXT

be moved
by our next
program

DONATE

every gift makes an
impact on our artists,
programs and community

ABOUT

Learn more
about who we are
and what we do