Cathy Walsh (she/they) is a dance artist, lighting technician and intimacy coordinator based between Ireland and Germany. She has a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from University College Cork, an MA in Contemporary Dance Performance from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, and a diploma in Ensemble Performance Practice from Queen's University Belfast.
Her practice is defined by a desire to create interactive experiences, blurring the distinction between performer and audience, inviting them to participate in creating an intimate exchange together. Her work is provocative and entertaining, combining dance, improvisation and playful conversation, with the body as the driving force. She has also improvised on stage with Bobby McFerrin.
Her work has been presented in Berlin at Dock 11, nGbK, and FELD Theater; Dansehallerne Copenhagen; Zodiak Helsinki; Seoul Performing Arts Festival; and in Ireland at Dance Limerick, Firkin Crane, Project Arts Centre, and Cork Midsummer Festival. She collaborates regularly with artists such as Sheena McGrandles, Cécile Bally, Meagan O’ Shea, Jule Flierl, Kareth Schaffer, and Tino Sehgal.
She has been supported by Hauptstadtkulturfonds Berlin, the Berlin Senat, Neustart Kultur, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Cork City Council, and Culture Ireland. She is currently developing a work inspired by the 1980’s feminist masterpiece Dirty Dancing.