((( ORO:RESONANCE )))

Late registrations accepted until 23 March - register below under "How to apply".

((( ORO:RESONANCE ))), 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).

They will explore sound as:

• Identity
• Storytelling
• Creative expression

They do not need:

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

The only need? Curiosity.

Disabled young people aged 16+ have joined this small, supported programme.

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

The project has 2 parts.

Part 1: Online Sound Mentorship

March–April 2026

Participants meet online (Zoom) for guided audio and music creation skills sessions

Participants learn from disabled composer Drew McMillan.

They will:

• Learn basic sound design skills
• Record sounds (voice, environment, found sounds)
• Explore memory, rhythm, silence, and layering
• Create their own 3–4 minute sound piece
• Prepare it for a live performance showing, working with emerging and established professionals

When their 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
• Participants come and watch some sessions (optional but encouraged)
• There will be one public performance night
• There will be a kōrero (discussion) after the show

Sound leads the work.

Curiosity starts the process.

Creativity lives within.

Who is this for?

This programme is for people who:

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

Participants might:

• Make beats
• Record voice notes
• Collect interesting sounds
• Love how music makes them 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 16 - Mon 30 March (field work)
Recording sounds. Layering sounds. Telling stories through sound. ORO team available to support individual layering projects.

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

Mon 6 April (6–7:30pm)
Editing and preparing sound and music files.

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

Final sound piece due for handover: 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 easy-read summaries so participants can engage with the information in their own time and space
• Support personnel to answer any in session or post-session questions from participants, their support, carers or whanau
• Camera optional during online sessions (keep on if you want / off if you don't)
• Breaks encouraged
• Materials in different formats - audio, video, written

Before the programme starts, we identify each participant's individual access needs and provide support for these.

This space is designed with you, not for you.

Cultural safety

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Disabled leadership guides this programme.

Participants can:

• Use Te Reo Māori in their 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 each participant commits to do

They 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

24 April Public sharing 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 performance works will feature in the public sharing performance on 24 April

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 oro@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.