FALL ’26

Kayla Farrish is a Black American Director merging dance-theater, filmmaking, narrative, and sound score.  She creates live works, films, site-specific/immersive pieces, and collaborations with musicians to bring power to people, and to activate efforts towards liberation and radical imagination. She’s received Bessie Dance Awards, the Harkness Promise Award, and various support to create her collaborative and wild visions.

New York-based dancer, choreographer, educator, and Ilan Lev Method practitioner. A 2025 Harkness Promise Awardee, NYFA/NYSCA Artist Fellow, and 2024 Bessie nominee, Annie creates at the intersection of extreme physicality and healing, with movement that challenges, provokes, restores, and unites.

Chicago-based choreographer named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2022. Guided by ode-making, Jessi crafts poetic responses and love letters to voices that echo through time, shaped by care, memory, responsibility, and the stories bodies carry.

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.

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.