Owl Dreaming: Rehearsing a New Production for Children with Palliative Needs

At Vlaštovka, we know that art has the power to soothe, to bring joy, to nurture, and to let us experience deeply. We also know that encounters with theatre can improve the quality of life for both adults and children, even in the hardest moments of pain and fear. That is exactly why we decided to create another theatrical production that will transport audiences into a world of safety, joy, and relief.

In July, we began rehearsals for Owl Dreaming – a sensorimotor theatre performance for children with palliative needs, including those with complex disabilities. We rehearsed intensively, experimenting with light and sound, and shaping a story that will allow audiences to experience the sun, rain, and wind right within their own rooms or even in a hospital playroom. Our performance can be staged anywhere that can be slightly darkened. Why? Because sound and light are the main creators of the magical atmosphere. The production incorporates elements of snoezelen therapy, enabling us to either energize or calm our audiences, depending on what each child needs.

And don’t think we are working on this alone! To bring families the kind of theatre we believe in, we need to collaborate with professionals who share our vision and who are able to see art through the eyes of those who are ill. That’s why our team includes stage designer Anna Gumboldt, lighting designer Pavla Beranová, and composer Marek Doubrava.

Our main little Owl is portrayed by actress and educator Kateřina Vodičková.

Together, we are searching for and discovering a world that we can take our audience into – a world they will also help us create, side by side.

And what will the story be about?

A little owl longs to fly out into the world, but her wings are not yet strong enough. Each day she sits at the edge of her hollow, watching her parents fly off to faraway places. To comfort her, they bring back pieces of the world – leaves, twigs, and tiny treasures. From these, the little owl creates her collection of dreams and dreams of the worlds waiting beyond her hollow.

Starting in September, you will be able to step with us into her story – into the space between wish and dream, into the quiet magic of the forest, the shimmer of sunlight, the sparkle of water pools, and the mysteries of the night sky.