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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Meet the exciting dancers of ORO! Let's meet Kanon!
Kanon hails from Japan, is a new addition to the Touch Compass performer roster and comes through our Ngā Wā Auaha Creative Futures rangatahi programme. A young lady who just loves to dance; she says:
"I’m in the ORO piece called “Navigation”. I want audience to witness the way we weave each other’s movements. There will be many interesting movements. This is possible because we are a mix of different abilities team!"
Witness Kanon dancing with the full cast of ORO at WHITE NOISE + ORO, Friday 16 October 8pm Q Theatre Auckland. Brought to you by Tempo Dance Festival NZ and Touch Compass.
Bookings: TempoDanceFestival.co.nz/Events-2026/White-Noise-Oro or Scan the QR Code in the post image.
Accessibility: WHITE NOISE + ORO is fully NZSL interpreted by Platform Interpreting NZ and Audio Described for Blind and low vision audiences by Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd
ID: The post image includes a photo of Kanon and her quote (as detailed in this post). Booking details including a scannable QR code for ticket bookings, and a video insert showing snippets of the performances audiences can expect to witness on the night of 16 October from 8pm. Bottom right appear the logos of both Touch Compass and Tempo Dance Festival.
Meet the exciting dancers of ORO! Let's meet Kori!
Kori is a new addition to the Touch Compass performer roster and comes through our Ngā Wā Auaha Creative Futures rangatahi programme. A wheeelchair user with one of the best smiles in the business he says:
"I'm so excited to be a part of Touch Compass and this production of Oro in Tempo Dance Festival NZ. I am inspired by the experienced dancers at Touch Compass, it is improving my wheelchair dancing and I am enjoying the direction it is taking me."
Witness Kori dancing with the full cast of ORO at WHITE NOISE + ORO, 16 October 8pm Q Theatre Auckland. Brought to you by Tempo Dance Festival NZ and Touch Compass.
Bookings: TempoDanceFestival.co.nz/Events-2026/White-Noise-Oro or Scan the QR Code in the post image.
Accessibility: WHITE NOISE + ORO is fully NZSL interpreted by Platform Interpreting NZ and Audio Described for Blind and low vision audiences by Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd
ID: The post image includes a photo of Kori and his quote (as detailed in this post). Booking details including a scannable QR code for ticket bookings, and a video insert showing snippets of the performances audiences can expect to witness on the night of 16 October from 8pm. Bottom right appear the logos of both Touch Compass and Tempo Dance Festival.
Meet the exciting dancers of ORO! Let's meet Asher!
Asher is in her third year at Dance Studies, University of Auckland, studying a Bachelor of Dance. She is a contemporary performer and a dance teacher, and in her own words:
"I am very grateful to be a part of this project."
Witness Asher dancing with the full cast of ORO at WHITE NOISE + ORO, 16 October 8pm Q Theatre Auckland. Brought to you by Tempo Dance Festival NZ and Touch Compass.
Bookings: TempoDanceFestival.co.nz/Events-2026/White-Noise-Oro or Scan the QR Code in the post image.
Accessibility: WHITE NOISE + ORO is fully NZSL interpreted by Platform Interpreting NZ and Audio Described for Blind and low vision audiences by Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd
ID: The post image includes a photo of Asher and her quote (as detailed in this post). Booking details including a scannable QR code for ticket bookings, and a video insert showing snippets of the performances audiences can expect to witness on the night of 16 October from 8pm. Bottom right appear the logos of both Touch Compass and Tempo Dance Festival.
23/09/2026
WHITE NOISE + ORO are coming to TEMPO DANCE FESTIVAL!
On 16 October, Alisha McLennan Marler’s poignant and provocative solo WHITE NOISE takes to the Q Theatre Rangatira stage, alongside a special taster of the mahi created through our Ngā Wā Auaha Creative Futures: 2026 ORO programme.
It’s a night celebrating creativity, emerging talent and the next generation of artists taking their place on Aotearoa’s stages.
🎟️ 16 October | Q Theatre Rangatira
🔗 Tickets via the link in our bio.
Image Description:
In this image, we see the launch of WHITE NOISE + ORO at Tempo Dance Festival. The design features a bold black, red and white colour palette, with the Tempo Dance Festival logo in the top left and Touch Compass logo in the top right. We see two images on the graphic showcasing performer Lish dancing freely and confidently.
Text in the graphic reads: “WHITE NOISE + ORO | Q THEATRE | 16 OCT | 8PM”. Along the bottom is a quote from Stage Whispers Australia: “WHITE NOISE illustrates why disability-led creation and performance are so important … to the stage.”
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, seats in rows A–D, seats 15–20 have been reserved for the d/Deaf community. These seats will need to be booked directly through iTicket, either by phone or email:
Phone: 0508 484 523
Email: [email protected]
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.
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
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