Haley Rockholt, a student dancer involved in two of the pieces in ACTUALLY JUST KIND OF AND ALMOST,  is elated that she gets to work with both Whitman’s own Renee Archibald, and visiting artist, David Thomson. Classically trained in ballet, Haley appreciates being pushed by the different styles and energies each choreographer brings to the table.  “Working on David’s piece is really interesting, as it is very different from my original training in ballet. The piece, ‘Awkward Beauty’, challenges what it means to be beautiful.  I had to work against my ballet training where it was drilled into me that dancing means being composed and graceful. I had to learn to stumble.” Hayley also mentions that she thinks the show as a whole is very unique: some pieces are supported by text, some by music, some by a combination of the two, or even by total silence. There are both actors and dancers involved, where, as Haley says, ” dancers get to act, and  actors get to dance.”

ACTUALLY JUST KIND OF AND ALMOST features three original movement based works developed by Renée Archibald, Peter de Grasse, and guest artist David Thomson in collaboration with Whitman College students. Two restaged choreographies by Assistant Professor Renée Archibald will also be featured. Each choreographer has set different methodologies into motion to create work that is multi-layered and de-centered. 
The show runs December 11,12,13 at 8:00pm and December 14 at 2:00pm