WINTER ’27

new creations by

Peter Chu, Penny Saunder, Olivier Wevers

JAN 15 – 23, 2027 @ 8:00 PM • Erickson Theater
JAN 21, 2027 @ 7:30 PM
Vashon Center for the Arts

Three acclaimed choreographers whose work spans some of the world’s leading stages and companies. Their long relationship with dance is matched by an enduring curiosity for what it can still reveal, creating work that is searching, adventurous, and deeply human.

Single tickets on sale Aug 17, 2026.  
Purchase a Membership Package today.

JAN 15 – 23, 2027 @ 8:00 PM • Erickson Theater
JAN 21, 2027 @ 7:30 PM
Vashon Center for the Arts

Three acclaimed choreographers whose work spans some of the world’s leading stages and companies. Their long relationship with dance is matched by an enduring curiosity for what it can still reveal, creating work that is searching, adventurous, and deeply human.

Single tickets on sale Aug 17, 2026.  
Purchase a Membership Package today.

General ticket
$15 – $50

Premium ticket
$90

JAN 15 – 23

Cornish
Playhouse
Seattle, WA

MEMBERSHIP

see all 3 programs
this Season 26|27
starting at $130

DONATE

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

CHOREOGRAPHER

Peter Chu

he/him/his

Award-winning choreographer, director, and  movement artist whose creations have been commissioned by Ballet Augsburg, Cirque du Soleil, DART Dance Company, 
Gibney Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and more. Making his Whim W’Him debut, Peter arrives with a vivid, fluid, and deeply musical imagination, shaped by identity, healing, and a restless appetite for discovery.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Penny Saunders

she/her/hers
World renowned choreographer, commissioned by companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, BalletX, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and more. Returning for her fourth creation with Whim W’Him, Penny brings musicality, theatrical detail, and a rare ability to make movement feel intimate, surprising, and deeply human. Penny is a former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship recipient

CHOREOGRAPHER

Olivier Wevers

he/him/his
Olivier Wevers is Founder and Artistic Director of Whim W’Him Seattle Contemporary Dance and an internationally recognized choreographer. Since founding the Seattle-based company in 2009, he has built an artist centered organization with wellbeing, curiosity, and artistic growth at the heart of its values.
Olivier has received commissions from leading dance companies, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet of the National Theatre Brno, BalletX, the New York Choreographic Institute, and the National Choreographers Initiative. His work has earned numerous honors, including the Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship, Seattle’s Mayor’s Arts Award, Artist Trust Fellowships, and multiple Grand Prize awards at the Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival.
Originally from Belgium, Olivier built an acclaimed performing career as a Principal Dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Through Whim W’Him, he champions new choreography while creating opportunities for artists to grow, collaborate, and thrive.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Peter Chu

he/him/his

Award-winning choreographer, director, and  movement artist whose creations have been commissioned by Ballet Augsburg, Cirque du Soleil, DART Dance Company, 
Gibney Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and more. Making his Whim W’Him debut, Peter arrives with a vivid, fluid, and deeply musical imagination, shaped by identity, healing, and a restless appetite for discovery.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Penny Saunders

she/her/hers
World renowned choreographer, commissioned by companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, BalletX, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and more. Returning for her fourth creation with Whim W’Him, Penny brings musicality, theatrical detail, and a rare ability to make movement feel intimate, surprising, and deeply human. Penny is a former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship recipient

CHOREOGRAPHER

Olivier Wevers

he/him/his
Olivier Wevers is Founder and Artistic Director of Whim W’Him Seattle Contemporary Dance and an internationally recognized choreographer. Since founding the Seattle-based company in 2009, he has built an artist centered organization with wellbeing, curiosity, and artistic growth at the heart of its values.
Olivier has received commissions from leading dance companies, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet of the National Theatre Brno, BalletX, the New York Choreographic Institute, and the National Choreographers Initiative. His work has earned numerous honors, including the Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship, Seattle’s Mayor’s Arts Award, Artist Trust Fellowships, and multiple Grand Prize awards at the Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival.
Originally from Belgium, Olivier built an acclaimed performing career as a Principal Dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Through Whim W’Him, he champions new choreography while creating opportunities for artists to grow, collaborate, and thrive.

DANCERS

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Michael Mazzola

he/him/his

Michael’s critically acclaimed lighting and scenery has been seen in venues all over the USA, Europe, and Asia, ranging from opera houses to amphitheaters to circus tents to hay barns. The 3-time New York Dance and Performance Award winner has designed lighting and scenery for many dance companies, in the USA, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Cuba. He designed lighting and video for the 2015 Presidential Scholars Awards, at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Michael has also been Senior Scenic Designer on two Comedy Central Celebrity Roasts, as well as the 2015 Lincoln Awards at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall for Uplight, Inc, based in NYC. Some of his performance photography has been published in Liz Lerman’s book “Hiking the Horizontal”, as well on the websites and marketing materials for Bebe Miller Company and Rachel Tess Dance.

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Becca Blackwell

she/they

Becca Blackwell is a talented and versatile professional in the world of performing arts, making their mark as a dedicated Production Stage Manager for Whim W’him. With an extensive background in stage management, lighting design, and stagehand work, Becca has made a significant impact on the Seattle dance scene.

As a Production Stage Manager, Becca orchestrates the behind-the-scenes magic, ensuring smooth and flawless performances. Their organizational prowess, exceptional communication skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations make them an invaluable asset to the Whim W’him team. Becca’s meticulous planning and coordination allow the creative vision to come to life on stage seamlessly. Additionally, Becca’s talents extend to lighting design, where their keen artistic vision and technical finesse have contributed to the creation of captivating visual experiences on stage.

With a diverse skill set, unwavering dedication, and a passion for the performing arts, Becca Blackwell continues to shine as a vital force in the industry. Their contributions, both as a stage manager and lighting designer, have left a lasting impression on audiences and fellow professionals, solidifying their position as a respected and sought-after talent in the Seattle dance community.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Michael Mazzola

he/him/his

Michael’s critically acclaimed lighting and scenery has been seen in venues all over the USA, Europe, and Asia, ranging from opera houses to amphitheaters to circus tents to hay barns. The 3-time New York Dance and Performance Award winner has designed lighting and scenery for many dance companies, in the USA, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Cuba. He designed lighting and video for the 2015 Presidential Scholars Awards, at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Michael has also been Senior Scenic Designer on two Comedy Central Celebrity Roasts, as well as the 2015 Lincoln Awards at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall for Uplight, Inc, based in NYC. Some of his performance photography has been published in Liz Lerman’s book “Hiking the Horizontal”, as well on the websites and marketing materials for Bebe Miller Company and Rachel Tess Dance.

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Becca Blackwell

she/they

Becca Blackwell is a talented and versatile professional in the world of performing arts, making their mark as a dedicated Production Stage Manager for Whim W’him. With an extensive background in stage management, lighting design, and stagehand work, Becca has made a significant impact on the Seattle dance scene.

As a Production Stage Manager, Becca orchestrates the behind-the-scenes magic, ensuring smooth and flawless performances. Their organizational prowess, exceptional communication skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations make them an invaluable asset to the Whim W’him team. Becca’s meticulous planning and coordination allow the creative vision to come to life on stage seamlessly. Additionally, Becca’s talents extend to lighting design, where their keen artistic vision and technical finesse have contributed to the creation of captivating visual experiences on stage.

With a diverse skill set, unwavering dedication, and a passion for the performing arts, Becca Blackwell continues to shine as a vital force in the industry. Their contributions, both as a stage manager and lighting designer, have left a lasting impression on audiences and fellow professionals, solidifying their position as a respected and sought-after talent in the Seattle dance community.

VISION

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

BEHIND THE SCENES

Exploring, intimately and in wider perspective, the creative process of Whim W’Him and our many collaborators—in the studio, behind the scenes and onstage.

SUPPORT NEW DANCE CREATIONS & THRIVING ARTISTS

Every gift makes an impact on our artists, programs and community.

Thank You for Your Generous Support!

Your support makes our work possible and we are deeply grateful for all the ways you continue to show up for Whim W’Him, our artists and each other – by donating, joining us for online creations and conversations, and sharing the work we do with families, friends and neighbors.

Thank you for being part of the Whim W’Him family!