PERFORMANCE LAB
The Performance Lab is Aracnation’s specialist workshop series designed to help circus, pole students and curious performers from all walks of life, to grow and develop as confident, creative performers.
Throughout the year, we invite guest artists from across the performing arts to share tools and approaches that deepen stage presence, creativity, musicality, storytelling, improvisation, and audience connection. These workshops are an opportunity to explore the wider world of performance in a supportive, playful, and welcoming environment. They are designed as independent workshops that can be booked individually, you can pick and choose, come to one, two, or come to all!
Whether you are interested in developing your artistic voice, building confidence, exploring character work, or simply trying something new, the Performance Lab offers a space to expand your creative toolkit beyond your movement repertoire.
Workshops are open to all levels of experience, ages 18+ and are led by experienced performers, directors, actors, and movement practitioners from Aotearoa’s wider performing and movement arts community. Be quick, spaces fill out fast.
Come curious. Come ready to play. Connect and explore.
Please note: a minimum of eight (8) participants is required for each workshop to go ahead. Terms and conditions apply.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
What makes a performance memorable? Often, it’s not the tricks, skills, or choreography—it’s the performer behind them.
In this workshop, participants will explore the foundations of character creation and how character can bring depth, meaning, and connection to performance. Through a series of practical and playful exercises, we will investigate emotional expression, audience connection, and the choices that help transform movement into storytelling.
Whether you are creating a stage character, developing a performance persona, or simply looking to become a more expressive performer, this workshop will provide tools to help you connect more deeply with your audience.
Together we will explore:
Emotional expression and physical presence
The foundations of character creation
Audience connection and engagement
Acting and interacting through movement
Making intentional performance choices
Technical skill may capture an audience's attention, but character is often what they remember. Developing a character gives performers new ways to communicate, tell stories, and create meaningful connections with the people watching. (Learn more about Jacque here)
A great performance is more than something an audience watches—it's something they experience.
In this workshop, participants will explore the art of audience engagement and discover how performers can build connection, create participation, and respond to the energy in the room. Through practical exercises, improvisation, and creative play, we will investigate what happens when performance becomes a conversation rather than a presentation.
Participants will explore how to communicate with an audience, maintain momentum, and confidently navigate unexpected moments. Whether you perform on stage, in community settings, or simply want to feel more comfortable connecting with others through your work, this workshop will provide practical tools that can be applied across many performance contexts.
Together we will explore:
Building rapport and audience connection
Reading and responding to audience energy
Giving and receiving offers from an audience
Comedic timing and maintaining momentum
Audience participation and interactive performance
Whether you're performing in a theatre, at a community event, or on the street, audience engagement is a skill that helps create connection, confidence, and memorable experiences. (Learn more about Jacque here)
More workshops coming soon…
Past workshops
