Longford invited to 'Dream Baby Dream'

Tomorrow afternoon Longford library is the venue for an intriguing sneak preview of a film by local dancer Orla McCarthy. The showing is a first chance to get a look at a work that celebrates the full spectrum of human emotion.

Orla began her dance training in the Shawbrook School of Dance before pursuing a BA in contemporary dance in Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts.

n 2015, Orla began working as a freelance dance artist based between Germany and the Netherlands. During this time she worked with choreographers of renown including: Iván Pérez, Jianhui Wang, Mor Shani, Connor Schumacher, Gal Fefferman, Adam Weinert and Luke Murphy.

She also performed in interdisciplinary works by theatre directors Michiel de Regt, Grzegorz Bral and Liliane Brakema.

Orla co-created the multidisciplinary dance project “PERSON A”, with Max Makowski; “performing me” a solo for Axier Iriate; two dance films “MIND[e]SCAPE” and “Orla & Sam'' created in collaboration with Blitzkickers; and as part of a Backstage Theatre Activate Residency she created the film “that's my sister.” with her sister and collaborator SISTIR.

On her social media platform the Longford dancer wrote: “I will be sharing a sneak preview of the first draft of our film 'Dream Baby Dream' in the Longford Library tomorrow at 12pm. Filmed in St. John's Hall with the support of Creative Longford, the Arts Council Ireland and Shawbrook Residential. Hope to see you there!”

'Dream Baby Dream,' is a 20-minute solo dance film in which McCarthy confronts the pressures of her dance career, weaving her internal struggles into a powerful narrative of self-acceptance and the transformative power of embracing vulnerability.

This evocative piece celebrates the full spectrum of human emotion, inspiring self-compassion in the audience.

The Director of Photography is Gareth Byrne, with choreographic assistance by Gal Fefferman. The music in the piece features SISTIR and 'Dream Baby Dream' by Bruce Springsteen. The audio production is by Tugkan Mutla.

Tomorrow's preview is facilitated by Longford Library Services.