Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre is celebrating International Day of People with Disability today by featuring it's latest production, O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible, (created in association with NORPA) online via Sprung's Youtube Channel and Facebook page.

The full length production and an insightful Q&A session with the dancers (Auslan interpreted and captioned) will be made available after the show enjoyed a sell-out premiere in Lismore in October.

O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible is a physically dynamic and robustly hopeful show.

It asks the question: In a world that’s not built for you, can you dare to dream of life, love and a rightful place within it all?

O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible beautifully reframes our perspective to show that ‘impossible’ can be transformed into ‘I’m Possible’.

The work explores the experiences of its dancers with disability.

Through the lens of seven young, imaginative and curious minds, we rediscover the power of dreams alongside the optimism and strength that must be summoned to overcome the doubts we all share about life.

O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible was co-devised by the dancers and also brought together a host of highly accomplished artists including celebrated costume designer Jennifer Irwin who has more than 39 years’ experience (Opera Australia, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company), composer Fred Cole who has produced a full-length original score for the piece, lighting designer John Rayment who recently worked on the Commonwealth Games and some mind-bending artwork by award-winning digital artist Andrew Christie. 

Artistic Director of Sprung!!, Michael Hennessy (a former Sydney Dance Company dancer), has been working with the dancers on a weekly basis for more than five years and is excited to bring their performance to a national audience online.

Artistic Director of Sprung!!, Michael Hennessy. Photo: Kate Holmes

“Ultimately their experiences are what make the show so profound,” he said. 

“One dancer was hospitalised in his youth and unable to move, so to see him fully expressing himself in movement is a feat in and of itself, but to see him perform at this level is astounding.”

Equally moving is the story of Tallula Bourne. Ms Bourne heard music for the first time at the age of 12, after having cochlear implants to address hearing loss.

Her experience of hearing for the first time is brought to life in a solo as part of the show.

“We are creators, we are dreamers, we make our own normal,” said Ms Bourne.

A live Q&A session was filmed with Sprung!! Senior Dancers and Artistic Director Michael Hennessy is also available online.

This session reveals more about the team's process of creating the new work during lock-down and the individual inspirations and creative pathways the dancers took during their collaborative development process with Michael and Sprung!! Assistant Director Peter Notley.

The filmed Q&A session is fully Auslan interpreted and captioned and is available to watch on the Sprung!! Facebook and YouTube pages along with the full length production.

NORPA’s Artistic Director and CEO, Julian Louis said Sprung!! is a testament to the drive and commitment that a small, independent dance and performing arts company needs to have to succeed.

"I'm endlessly impressed by their dedication to their craft and to the dancers. Sprung!! is one of the only dedicated performance ensembles in our region, that in itself is something to celebrate.”

O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible by Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre, in association with NORPA can be accessed online via Sprung!! Integrated Dance YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjOn7fgVoVE8MWmXB6YnbNQ/ 

The full length film is available now and will remain online until Monday 7 December 2020.