((( ORO:RESONANCE )))

APPLY NOW! REGISTER FOR ORO HERE TODAY!

A project about sound and dance-theatre

He oro pūmau, he wairua ora
Resonant sound. Living spirit.

Run by Touch Compass
With support from Basement Theatre

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in ((( ORO:RESONANCE ))).

This is a new pilot project.

It is for disabled rangatahi (young adults aged 16–30).

You will explore sound as:

• Identity
• Storytelling
• Creative expression

You do not need:

• Formal training
• Expensive equipment
• To already be an artist

You only need curiosity.

We are looking for 4–6 disabled young people to join this small, supported programme.

What is ((( ORO:RESONANCE )))?

The project has 2 parts.

Part 1: Online Sound Mentorship

March–April 2026

You will meet online (Zoom).

You will learn from disabled composer Drew McMillan.

You will:

• Learn basic sound design skills
• Record sounds (voice, environment, found sounds)
• Explore memory, rhythm, silence, and layering
• Create your own 3–4 minute sound piece
• Prepare it for live performance

When your sound piece is finished, it will be gifted to a group of dancers and performance artists.

Part 2: Dance-Theatre Week + Public Showing

19–24 April 2026
At Basement Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau

During this week:

• Dancers will create short performances using your sound
• You can come and watch some sessions (optional but encouraged)
• There will be one public performance night
• There will be a kōrero (discussion) after the show

Your sound leads the work.
Your creativity starts the process.

Who is this for?

This programme is for people who:

• Are 16–30 years old
• Have lived experience of disability (you decide — no diagnosis needed)
• Are curious about sound, theatre, music, or creative tech
• Want to learn in a supportive disabled-led space
• Can attend weekly online sessions

You might:

• Make beats
• Record voice notes
• Collect interesting sounds
• Love how music makes you feel

All of that counts.

Online Session Dates (Part 1)

All sessions are online.
Each session is about 1.5–2 hours.

Wed 11 March (4–6pm)
Meet each other. Talk about access. Overview of the project.

Mon 16 March (6–7:30pm)
Basics of sound design.

Mon 23 March (6–7:30pm)
Telling stories through sound.

Mon 30 March (6–7:30pm)
Layering and texture.

Mon 6 April (6–7:30pm)
Editing and preparing your file.

Mon 13 April (6–7pm)
Final check-in, sharing works in progress.

Final sound piece due: Friday 18 April 2026

Public Performance

Friday 24 April 2026
6:30pm
Basement Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau

Short performances (3–4 minutes each).
Audience discussion after.

The event will be accessible.

Accessibility

Accessibility is built into this programme.

We provide:

• After-session captioned videos recordings for online sessions
• Written easy-read summaries after each session
• Camera optional during online sessions (keep on if you want / off if you don't)
• Breaks encouraged
• Materials in different formats

Before the programme starts, we will talk with you about your access needs.

This space is designed with you, not for you.

Cultural Safety

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Disabled leadership guides this programme.

You can:

• Use Te Reo Māori in your works (or any other indigenous language you identify with)
• Include waiata or taonga pūoro
• Share cultural identity and lived experience

You do not need to reduce who you are.

What you need to do

If you join, you agree to:

• Attend weekly online sessions (or tell us if you cannot)
• Respect others in the group
• Create one 3–4 minute sound piece
• Meet agreed deadlines

This is a pilot programme. It's the first time doing this programme for you and for us.

We welcome feedback and experimentation.

We are here to support you.

Cost

There is no cost to participate.

Once registered, you will receive:

• Professional mentorship
• Creative support
• Technical guidance
• Invitation to attend the dance creation week
• Free tickets for your whānau to the performance

Transport support for the April workshop and performance week may be discussed if needed.

Mentors

Sound Creation mentor
Drew McMillan

Dance mentors include:

• Rodney Bell
• Lusi Faiva
• Alisha McLennan Marler
• Julie van Renen
• and others

Public performance hosted at
Basement Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau

How to apply

USE this link to register for the programme: REGISTER FOR ORO HERE TODAY!

OR send us an email to:

Email: admin@touchcompass.org.nz
Subject line: Oro registration

Send:

• Your name
• Your age
• Your location
• A short paragraph (or voice note/video) answering:
  Why are you interested in exploring sound?
• Your access needs

Spaces available: 4–6 people

Applications close: 15 March
(We recommend applying before 11 March so you don't miss the online intro session and meet n greet.)

Questions?

Not sure if this is for you?

Email us at admin@touchcompass.org.nz
You can also ask for a phone or Zoom kōrero.

He oro pūmau, he wairua ora.
Resonant sound. Living spirit.

We look forward to hearing what you create.