PERFORMANCE LAB
The Performance Lab is Aracnation’s specialist workshop series designed to help students and curious performers 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 challenging environment.
Whether you are interested in developing your artistic voice, building confidence on stage, exploring character work, or simply trying something new, the Performance Lab offers a space to expand your creative toolkit beyond the apparatus.
Workshops are open to students of all levels and are led by experienced performers, directors, actors, and movement practitioners from Aotearoa’s wider performing arts community.
Come curious. Come ready to play. Come ready to grow as a performer.
Please note: a minimum of eight (8) participants is required for each workshop to go ahead. Terms and conditions apply.
WORKSHOPS
Improvisation is the foundation of physically-based performance work. It is often associated with clowning — and for good reason — but improvisation can lead us anywhere: into comedy, drama, storytelling, play, and genuine human connection.
As the old adage goes:
“If it bends, it’s comedy. If it breaks, it’s tragedy.”
In this workshop, we will explore how improvisation can help performers become more present, expressive, creative, and responsive on stage.
Together we will explore:
How to be present on stage
Understanding theatrical space and building stage presence
How to play seriously
Finding honest fun and spontaneity in performance
How to make a gift of yourself as a performer
This workshop is open to all levels and is designed for anyone curious about expanding their creative and performance skills.
Music is more than background sound — it is rhythm, texture, emotion, tension, release, and atmosphere. Learning to truly listen to music can transform the way we move and perform.
In this workshop, we will explore how musicality can deepen performance, strengthen choreography, and create a stronger connection between movement and sound.
Together we will explore:
Rhythm, phrasing, and musical accents
Breaking down layers within music
Responding physically to sound and tempo
Building movement that feels connected to music
Exploring dynamics, timing, and performance quality
This workshop is designed to help performers move beyond simply performing to music, and begin performing with it.
Open to all levels and suitable for anyone interested in developing greater musical awareness, creativity, and expression in performance.
More workshops coming soon…
