The art of dance takes many forms. Today’s artists don’t often showcase one single format or style, but perform custom blends of movement, skill and artistry. On Monday, March 23, 2026, the dance company Pilobolus will bring their “Other Worlds Collection” to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia.
For 55 years, Pilobolus dancers have created and toured more than 120 works across 65 countries. The “Other Worlds Collection” organically explores the power of connected bodies interacting with the spaces we all inhabit.
Pilobolus is an Outsider Dance Company Testing the Limits of Human Physicality
Travel into other worlds without leaving the state, thanks to the Washington Center bringing this incredible show to you, for just one night! This is currently their only stop in the Northwest, so get your tickets soon before they sell out!
As part of Olympia’s performance on the tour, Pilobolus will showcase two new pieces: Lamentation Variations and Flight.
Artistic Director Matt Kent describes their freewheeling, rebellious style as: “Trips into distinct worlds. The dancers become beings in these worlds, inviting the audience to explore with them. The work doesn’t dictate a single story, it opens space for personal meaning, connecting with viewers of all ages and levels of dance experience.”
The group, which began at Dartmouth College in 1971, calls itself an outsider dance company focusing on imaginative and athletic explorations of creative collaboration. Named after the phototropic fungus Pilobolus Crystallinus, which propels spores away at speeds up to 45mph, these dancers use movement as both teaching and collaboration tool.
To date, Pilobolus has performed on multiple television shows and received a TED Fellowship, Grammy award nomination, Primetime Emmy Award, Cannes Lion Award from the International Festival of Creativity and been named one of Dance Heritage Coalition’s “Irreplaceable Dance Treasures.”
Explore the Spaces We Inhabit Through Dance with the ‘Other Worlds Collection’
Their “Other Worlds Collection” looks at the realms we inhabit, from our bodies to the vast universe itself. Performing in front of live audiences, says Kent, beautifully illustrates the interconnectedness of life.
“There is a special relationship between performers and live audiences,” says Kent. “The energy on stage is met by the energy of the audience, and it creates a loop, so each is getting back more than they put in. We know that there is a limbic resonance when people are experiencing the same emotional, artistic experience. This energetic exchange can create a deeper sense of community and an attention that amplifies the emotional impact of the performance.”
The Magic of Movement Finds a Home at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center hosts dance troupes, physical comedy and acrobats all year round. From professional ballerinas to youth recitals and performances in a variety of styles and formats, movement frequently takes center stage.
On Saturday, March 14 check out “Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride” for an evening of acrobatics, juggling, aerial feats, stunts and mechanical creations like a man-powered Ferris wheel.
“The Naked Magicians” may not be dancers per se but it takes more than a little skill to keep top hats, capes and props in place and (mostly) avoid flashing the audience. Also dance-adjacent (especially for those of us who prefer solid ground) “Wizard of Oz on Ice” refreshes the timeless, original story with gliding skates.
Other performances include the World Ballet Company’s “Cinderella,” the Olympia Dance Festival spotlighting eighteen regional dance companies, “A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” and, for the toe-tapping crowd, the Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s 80’s Dance Party.
Tickets to the Washington Center show are available online, by calling 360.753.8586 or at the Box Office. The Box Office is open from noon until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday or two hours before any ticketed event. Come ready to explore all that movement can be when we examine the true interconnectedness of us all.
