2025 WHIM SUMMER INTENSIVES

Session 1: June 23 – July 3, 2025

• Whim W’Him Company Experience

Session 2: July 7 – July 18, 2025

• Nicole von Arx & Whim W’Him

Session 3: July 21 – August 1, 2025

• Whim W’Him Open Experience (No application required)

Whim W’Him is thrilled to announce our 2025 Summer Intensive programs! Our three programs will provide the opportunity to dive into personal artistic identity, explore and expand into new ways of thinking and moving, and develop professional skills necessary for pursuing a life in dance and the arts. Participants may apply to attend a single two week session or multiple.

Whim W’Him’s intensives provide a unique window into the vast world of contemporary dance. With the shared knowledge of our faculty, a repertoire of over 100 works from internationally-renowned choreographers, and a commitment to nurturing community through contemporary dance, participants will gain knowledge, experience, and a network of support. Faculty include Founder & Artistic Director Olivier Wevers, Company Manager & Director of Education Karl Watson, Guest Artist and Choreographer Nicole von Arx, Whim W’Him company members, and Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Center faculty.

If you’re looking for a welcoming, supportive environment to expand your artistic identity with a commitment to new creation in contemporary dance, we invite you to join us!

Session Information

Session 1: Whim W’Him Company Experience (Application Required)

Be immersed in the world of Whim W’Him with a focus on our repertoire as well as our unique approach to contemporary partnering. This session offers the opportunity to explore the expansive creative environment the company has built.

– Work with Artistic Director & Founder Olivier Wevers, Company Manager & Director of Education Karl Watson, and Whim W’Him company members.
– Learn repertoire and partnering from the company’s past creations.
– Take Whim Ways classes focusing on Wevers’ unique approach to movement and partnering
– Take daily technique classes as well as additional classes in improvisation, floorwork, and more.
– Refine your audition materials and skills with seminars from artistic staff.
– Classes will be held Monday, June 23rd to Friday, June 27th and Sunday June 29th, to Thursday, July 3rd. A studio showing will take place on the 3rd for family and friends.

Session 2: Nicole von Arx and Whim W’Him (Application Required)

Explore two weeks in the dynamic worlds of Whim W’Him and choreographer Nicole von Arx, who choreographed for Whim W’Him in 2022. We are thrilled to bring Nicole back to share her knowledge and creative perspective alongside the artists of Whim W’Him.

– Dive into Nicole’s artistic world during creative process workshops and repertoire classes.
– Take daily technique classes with Nicole and artists of Whim W’Him.
– Explore existing Whim repertoire as well as classes in floorwork, improvisation, theatrical skills, and more.
– Classes will be held Monday, July 7th to Friday, July 11th and Monday, July 14th to Friday, July 18th. A studio showing will take place on the 18th for family and friends.

Session 3: Whim W’Him Open Experience (No application required)

Whether you are a college student, current professional, or just wanting to engage more deeply in training and exploration, spend two weeks at Whim W’Him without any audition required. If you’re curious if this program is the right fit for you, please email Director of Education Karl Watson, karl@whimwhim.org.

Designed for dancers who are currently training or who have trained in a pre-professional environment in the past, this program offers you a window into the Whim experience in a welcoming, supportive environment.

– Take daily technique classes as well as classes in floorwork, improvisation, and more.
– Explore repertoire taught by company members, Company Manager & Director of Education Karl Watson, and Founder & Artistic Director Olivier Wevers.
– Participate in seminars and workshops addressing injury prevention, the choreographic process, and careers in the arts.
– Classes will be held Monday, July 21st to Friday, July 25th and Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st. A studio showing will take place on the 1st for family and friends.

Whim With Each Other Program

Each session features the Whim With Each Other program. Inspired by Lillian Barbeito’s Acknowledgment Partner program, every participant will be paired with a fellow dancer during the intensive. You will be connected ahead of the program start and be given designated time during the program to support one another’s work through discussion prompts. You will also have time to connect with other pairs so that you can build intentional networks of support during the program and, if you choose, beyond your time at Whim.

Tuition
$1,450 per session

A $250 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. Remaining tuition may be paid in installments.

Financial Aid & Work/Study Program

• Limited scholarships are available for artists in need of financial support. We also offer scholarship funds for BIPOC dancers.

• Please fill out our Financial Aid form to be considered for financial aid.

Work/Study Program: 1 Work/Study Artist position is available. The Work/Study Participant will receive a full scholarship and housing while providing operational support and social media work in advance of and during the program.

NOTE: The work/study student must attend all 6 weeks of the program.
For more information and to apply, click here.

Session 1 & 2 Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline – Friday 2/14/25 at 5pm PST

Those who apply by 2/14/25 will be notified of acceptance by Friday 2/21/25.

Deposits for priority deadline applicants are due by 3/14/25. Participants who pay their deposit by 2/28/25 will receive $100 off their tuition.

After 2/14, applications may be considered on a rolling basis if space remains in the programs.
Deposits for applications received after 2/14/25 will be due 2 weeks from the date of acceptance.

Session 3 Registration Info

Registration for Session 3 will open on December 13th and will remain open until the program is full.

Students who pay their deposit by 2/28/25 will receive $100 off their tuition.

If you have any questions about the program or registration, please email Director of Education Karl Watson, karl@whimwhim.org.

What Previous Students Have To Say

“I had a wonderful time at the WHIM Summer Intensive!! I really appreciated the attitudes and enthusiasm of the instructors and the welcoming environment.” – Summer Intensive 2024 Participant

“I really appreciated the partnering classes/partnering rep in particular. In many instances, I’ve been thrown into contemporary partnering without any sort of technical build up or real feedback about how to approach it outside of ‘find a way that makes it work.’ The concepts, personalized insight, and time to workshop in these classes in particular were extremely helpful and eye-opening.” – Summer Intensive 2024 Participant

“This intensive was an experience that I’ve never had before within the dance community. The closeness that I felt with all the participants as well as the teachers was so special and unique compared to past intensives & programs I’ve been a part of. The environment of each class was safe, and filled with so much support, and respect from everyone in the room. I found such inspiration from everyone around me as well as hearing all of the lessons, and information the dancers of Whim W’Him had to bring to us. I really appreciated how enthusiastic the entire board was throughout the entire intensive as it helped greatly with the energy of the students throughout the week.” – Winter Intensive 2023 Participant

“The teachers had intention when they taught and I felt they gave all students equal attention, making sure to see every person in the room.” Winter Intensive 2023 Participant