Touch Compass
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Touch Compass is New Zealand’s leading professional disability-led arts organisation championing accessible arts performance and arts education
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Touch Compass is Aotearoa’s leading professional performance company that is disability led. We produce high quality performance works and arts activations. This vision recognises Te Tiriti O Waitangi principles which signify a partnership between Māori and immigrants with our values reflective of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), reciprocity and care guiding us. Our mission is to explore the intersection of disability, Māori and Pasifika culture as our unique contribution to the arts. Our performances reflect disability aesthetics and practices that are culturally informed. They are interdisciplinary but rooted in movement practice and choreographic forms. We explore cultural diversity through authentic and multi-dimensional performance. We collaborate with high calibre creatives who support our vision and kaupapa. We are a leading performance company that tours nationally and internationally. Our audiences will experience sophisticated, nuanced multi-dimensional performances from disabled and culturally diverse performers. They will be invited to engage with new readings of the disabled body and broaden their cultural understanding. Audiences are provided with multiple ways of engaging with our work including participatory and multi-sensorial experiences. We are committed to the future of performance in Aotearoa and Touch Compass’ creative legacy by ensuring there are creative pathways for our performers to grow and foster their artistic voices. We acknowledge the pathways and people that have led the company to where it is today. We acknowledge all dancers, choreographers, community workshop participants, support workers and all staff, past and present. He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
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14/09/2026
A spectacular dance show will be NZSL-interpreted at Tempo Dance Festival NZ!
💜 WHO: Touch Compass
💜 WHAT: WHITE NOISE + Oro
💜 WHEN: Friday 16 October, 8pm
💜 WHERE: Q Theatre, Auckland
WHITE NOISE turns the tables of perception onto the audience, drawing upon experiences from the intersection of motherhood, disability, and the relentless static of everyday expectations.
An electrifying performance, WHITE NOISE has emerged from award-winning creator/performer Alisha McLennan Marler’s lived experience of disability, as an artist, mother, and person. Through a fusion of striking visuals and choreography, live sound manipulation and digital design, audiences are invited to confront their assumptions while exploring the intimate and universal dynamics of communication and parenthood.
A powerful celebration of agency and narrative, this piece is both deeply personal and utterly communal, drawing us to consider our own place in the conversation. Co-choreographed by Jessie McCall, and presented with a short work from Touch Compass’ Oro: Resonance development programme.
🎟 TICKETS 🎟
The show has NZSL interpretation, audio description, wheelchair accessible and will be a relaxed performance. There are moments of flashing lights and loud sounds in the show.
For the best view of the interpreter, we recommend booking seats in rows A–D, seats 15–20.
Tickets are available for purchase online: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/oct/white-noise-oro
11/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: To Colour Us Different 🎥✨
A little glimpse into To Colour Us Different, a new short-form dance work choreographed by Touch Compass dancers Alisha McLennan Marler, Rodney Bell and Julie van Renen, with music by composer Andrew McMillan.
This raw, unstaged version was captured live and impromptu during a recent workshop. Three dancers. Three distinct ways of moving. Moments of connection, separation, unison and individual expression.
As part of our whānau, you’re getting the first look. 👀
Check the link in the bio to see the performance.
Video description: Three dancers, including two wheelchair users, move together through space. Their movement shifts between unison, duets and individual solos, exploring connection, difference and shared expression.
Access note: This workshop version has not been audio described for blind and low vision audiences. A staged version will be filmed later in 2026 with full audio description.
WHITE NOISE + ORO | Tempo Dance Festival NZ | 16 OCT - Here's a little taste of what's to come. Accessible seating going fast, get your tickets today! Link in comments.
09/09/2026
💜 Reflections from Guest Artist Adus Smith
Adus Smith reflects on their experience during the Toi Tuku Matariki Dance Intensive and the deep sense of connection, trust and aroha held throughout the workshops.
“The rangatira – Lish, Julie and Rodney – held the space so well and I could feel the guiding principles of the Touch Compass kaupapa at work and alive.”
“There was a synergy of aroha that cloaked us all and so much trust in the room. I love working with this group and the support and aroha that comes through being part of the whānau once more feels nourishing for me.”
Image description: Two artists share a moment of connection and synergy. One artist is seated in their wheelchair while the other stands beside them, leaning towards them. Their shared movement and presence convey a strong sense of connection, trust and aroha.
09/09/2026
A tour-de-force of dance and theatre! And an amazing opportunity to witness the next generation of Crip-led dance, theatre and arts superstars. Get your tix now!!! ♿️💪🆙️
An electrifying performance, WHITE NOISE has emerged from award-winning creator/performer Alisha McLennan Marler’s lived experience of disability, as an artist, mother, and person. Through a fusion of striking visuals and choreography, live sound manipulation and digital design, audiences are invited to confront their assumptions while exploring the intimate and universal dynamics of communication and parenthood.
A powerful celebration of agency and narrative, this piece is both deeply personal and utterly communal, drawing us to consider our own place in the conversation. Co-choreographed by Jessie McCall, and presented with a short work from Touch Compass’ Oro: Resonance development programme.
By Alisha McLennan Marler, presented by
Touch Compass
Q Theatre | Fri 16 Oct | 8pm | 70 min
🔗 Tickets: www.tempodancefestival.co.nz/events-2026/white-noise-oro
Photography: Jade Ellis Photography
07/09/2026
🔥FIRE UP CREATIVE FUTURES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. Our youth and young adults programmes are creating accessible pathways to professions for the next generation with arts in their hearts. We are busting barriers and opening opportunities for them across Aotearoa 🇳🇿 and Te Ao🌏. 🫶Become a monthly donor and show how a little does a lot. ⚡Let's spark creative futures together!
Follow this link to learn more:
Spark creative futures for next-gen disabled artists Spark creative futures for disabled artists; support Touch Compass: Make a donation today!
12/08/2026
✨ Toi Tuku | Matariki Dance Intensive ✨
As we look back on our Toi Tuku Matariki Dance Intensive, Alisha reflects on three days of movement, creativity and connection.
“Our three-day Matariki Intensive brought together both our regular class participants and new faces. It was a pleasure to teach alongside Julie and Rodney, and lovely to be joined by Lusi and Adus on the final day.
We explored deeper tasks, created choreography and enjoyed improvisation jams, with many magic moments along the way. It was also lovely to hold a space where people could commit to as much or as little as they needed.”
Ngā mihi to everyone who joined us 💜
Image description:
In this image, we see Lish sitting in her wheelchair, moving freely and expressing the creativity explored throughout the workshop. Positioned at the centre of the image, Lish draws our eyes towards her as she moves, showcasing freedom and strength.
12/06/2026
LATEST UPDATE FROM TOUCH COMPASS! New dance intensive TOI TUKU coming to Te Puna Creative Hub , One-on-Ones with the sound stars of ORO:RESONANCE, an OpEd on 'what's the point of getting funded if there's no open stages'; Lusi Faiva shares her half year highlights, and your chance to ignite creative futures!
LINK TO OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE: https://mailchi.mp/touchcompass/newsletter-june-2026
🌟 Move. Connect. Create. TOI TUKU Matariki Dance Intensive! Join us for a 3-day Dance Intensive inspired by the themes of Matariki. Create dance with the PROS from Touch Compass! REGISTRATION REQUIRED. DETAILS BELOW.
- Open Ages 16+
- All experience levels
- Disabled and non-disabled dancers welcome
This intensive invites you to explore movement through creativity, connection, and lived experience.
Together we will:
✨ Discover new ways of moving and expressing ourselves.
✨ Learn creative dance practices.
✨ Build confidence in a welcoming and accessible environment.
✨ Connect with a diverse community of movers and makers.
Guided by professional Touch Compass dancers, we'll reflect on the themes of Matariki - remembering those who have passed, celebrating the present, and imagining the pathways that lead us into the future.
EXPERIENCED DANCER? OR JUST KEEN TO MOVE? YOU'RE WELCOME!
Whether you're an experienced dancer or simply curious about movement, this is an opportunity to learn, create, and move together. DETAILS:
📅 6-8 JULY 2026, 10AM-3PM EACH DAY.
💸 $60.00 PER DAY SESSION OR $150.00 FOR THE FULL 3-DAY INTENSIVE ($30 dollar discount!) | Financial hardship spots available - ASK US about it when you register.
📍 TE PUNA CREATIVE, HENDERSON (KŌMANAWA THEATRE).
🎟️ REGISTRATION REQUIRED: CONTACT [email protected] TO REGISTER TODAY!
Spaces are limited. We would love to move with you.
Video Description: 1. A static image of three Touch Compass dancers holding dance poses, two are wheelchair users, one is not. Text shares the date, venue and ages details carried in this body copy of this post. The poses of all three convey creativity and self expression. 2. A short snippet of a recent workshopped performance with dancers from Auckland Uni, Unitec, and independents showing creative dance collaboration. Text appears across the image saying "Move. Connect. Create. Matariki vibes with Touch Compass pro dancers."
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G5/43a Linwood Avenue, Mt Albert
Auckland
1025