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Detailed description of BATS Welcome to Bats Theatre! This is an explanation of the various landmarks and areas within bats. The front doors The front entrance has stairs with rails on both sides. These are smooth and wooden up to a set of double doors. When you enter the double doors you arrive in the foyer of Bats, which is a hangout and bar area. On the left as you walk through the doors are a collection of round chairs and tables in a square area out to the left and on the right there is another section of window seats, armchairs and low tables. Both the left and right sections are shaped like a 3 sided rectangle. As you walk through the doors the final side of the rectangle on your right is the bar. You can reach it if you walk diagonally, on your 3’o clock from the door. This is a fairly high countertop bar and behind that should be a BATS staff around. Just beware there can be a bunch of glasses on the bar, so go gentle as you reach for it. The stairs and water station Now if you walk past both of the hangout areas, to your left is a staircase. It’s not a spiral staircase because the flight of steps are straight, but it’s like a spiral staircase with corners so you turn right a lot as you’re heading up and left a lot as you’re heading down. For the festival we don’t need to go upstairs unless you need the kitchen. On your right hand side as you come past the stairs there is a little hole in the wall that is a slot to get water to refill your drink bottles or fill a glass from the bar. Please don’t take any glassware into the theatre spaces. Box Office Opposite the bottom of the stairs, on your right as you walk from the doors, is the box office. Often in the middle of the space is one of those things with posts and a looping barrier like they have in banks, to make people line up for the box office. The box office counter is on your right. As you carry on along you will find the door to the office just past the box office on your right. Further on there will be a pair of double doors which may be closed or open, if they’re open, you will feel a door on the right hand side and a door on the left hand side - these might feel like they’re doors to other rooms but they are open double doors. If the doors are shut, push through the open doors and they will open away from you. Hallway before theatre This is when you will find the bathrooms. There is a sign on the wall saying you can use whatever bathroom you are comfortable with but they are still gendered. One the right hand side we have the bathroom that was/is the women's toilet and has sanitary bins in it, and on the left hand side is the accessible toilet and the bathroom with the urinals in it. As we carry on along, on the right hand side there is a bench against the wall next to the toilets, then we go through, the floor changes to a more echoey wood, and you go through the doors at the end of the space and that is the theatre space. Theatre Space As you come into the theatre space on each side there’s wooden walls, if you reach upwards you’ll discover that these start to give way to railings at first above your head and then beside you as you walk along, sort of sloping railings up above. The theatre space in front of you is a great big rectangle, when you enter you are coming down the middle of the seating block essentially. Once you’ve come through the seating block, to your left on the wall is the fire door, and at your left and right are the seats at the front row. In front of you is a big open stage space with three doors along the back wall and one door up high along the back wall with no way to get up to it except behind the stage. If you’ve walked down the corridor between the seating blocks, and take a few steps out and turn around, you’ll see the seating blocks rising up on either side of the corridor you just walked down. Those are the main features of getting through to the theatre. Other floors If instead you’ve walked up the staircase in the foyer, you’ve found the other floors of BATS. If you go all the way up, you’ll turn right, until the first time you can turn left, you’ll know that you reached the next level up. If you were to go up to your left there’s some more stairs and the dome space, and then if you turn right at the top of that flight of stairs you’ll find there’s more toilets. If instead you turned away from the dome, you’ll find a railing across a couple of items blocking the way and on the left there’s a table and some chairs to sit at and the BATS' kitchen, on the left in the middle of that wall just after the chairs and tables. So if you’ve climbed the stairs and turned right, the kitchen is on your left. The Kitchen The microwave is very temperamental, sometimes you have to turn it off at the wall and on again. Within the kitchen, the microwave is up high and to the left, the sink is in front of you on the opposite wall, and the rubbish and recycle bins are to your right. The green room space which may or may not be available is a door on the right hand side of the kitchen if you’re standing in the door way. Accessible Entrance The accessible entrance, instead of going up the flight of stairs at the front, move to the left of the building i.e. with the building on your right side, until you reach the far wall and turn right down the side of the building. This takes you down an alley between BATS and the fire station. Down this alley to the left of the theatre, there is a door on the right, this will take you through the fire door, into the theatre. e microwave is up high and to the left, the sink is in front of you on the opposite wall, and the rubbish and recycle bins are to your right. The green room space which may or may not be available is a door on the right hand side of the kitchen if you’re standing in the door way.

Workshops Contents Basic Programme Participating in a workshop DAT Ground Based Circus Workshop Write DAT Story! Workshop Building Accessibility into our Arts Practice: a Blindness Perspective Workshop DAT’s Unexpected! Intro to Improv workshop with Susan Williams DAT's Technical! Tech Workshop Get DAT Act Together! Workshop with Trent H Baumann Write DAT Song! Songwriting Workshop with Maggie Cocco Basic Programme DAT Fest 2024 Programme.docx DAT Fest 2024 Programme.docx Participating in a Workshop You need to sign up if you want to come to a workshop. You can come to as few or as many workshops as you want to. All workshops are koha. Workshops are only open to disabled, neurodivergent, and/or d/Deaf people, and those with long-term health conditions (mental or physical), disabilities, etc. We don’t gatekeep, and you don’t have to identify as disabled, if you have lived experience you are welcome. Please see the FAQs for more info. DAT Ground Based Circus Workshop Tuesday 5th November 1pm-3pm Te Auaha Audio Described Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Well Rain Renor is here to help, no running required! This ground based circus workshop will incorporate skills such as hula hoop, spinning plates, contact juggling and tricks with mobility aids. There's a trick and skill for every ability and disability, so pile into the clown car and come on down! Rain is a local non binary performer who often uses their mobility aids in their drag, burlesque and circus performances. Rain has a degree in Circus and Dance and has a special interest in how Circus can be adapted for every body and ability. Buy tickets here: DAT Ground Based Circus Workshop Write DAT Story! Workshop Wednesday 6th November, 10:30am-12pm Online $5-$40 Pay what you can Always wanted to write fiction, but don't know where to start? Tutor Helen Vivienne Fletcher will help you create an original character, and plan a story about them. Suitable for writers of any level, including very beginners. Helen Vivienne Fletcher is a queer, disabled, children’s and young adult author, storyteller, and award-winning playwright. She has been a creative writing tutor for over ten years, teaching adults through the Wellington High Community Education Centre, and children in her own business, Brain Bunny Workshops. Tackling heavy subjects with a healthy dose of humour, Helen describes her writing style as “funny tragedy” and invites you to decide for yourself whether you want to laugh or cry. She lives in Wellington with her disability assist dog, Bindi. Buy tickets here: Write DAT Story! Workshop Anchor 1 Building Accessibility into our Arts Practice: a Blindness Perspective Thursday 7th November 2pm-4pm Online Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) We are all experts on our own accessibility requirements. We know what we need to make our Arts spaces accessible. But we're not always great at understanding the accessibility requirements of our disabled colleagues. In this workshop, Lauren will talk about her access requirements as a blind person. You'll learn about audio description, and talk about how you can incorporate it into your work, either using traditional methods, or experimental methods such as integrated audio description. You'll learn about digital accessibility, and how blind people use assistive tech to navigate digital spaces. You don't need to be a digital accessibility expert, but it's important to think about your digital presence as an artist, and whether everyone can access your content or book tickets to your shows. Bring all the questions you have about blindness, but were too afraid to ask. Buy tickets here: Building Accessibility into our Arts Practice Anchor 2 DAT’s Unexpected! Intro to Improv workshop with Susan Williams Saturday 9th November, 2:30pm-5:30pm Te Auaha $5-$40 Pay what you can For anyone wanting to explore making theatre up on the spot, along with more experienced improvisors who want to have some fun, and get back to basics. A fun, spontaneous time for all, no experience needed. Susan is an experienced improvisor, actor, and comedian. They have taught Improv workshops in New Zealand and Australia, and their solo-ish theatre show Illegally Blind (Bat's co-pro, and touch compass) was nominated for multiple Wellington Theatre Awards. Susan is also proudly disabled, blind, and neurodivergent. As co director of DAT-Fest, they aim to create a fun, low-stress environment where everyone is free to be themselves. Buy tickets here: DAT's Unexpected! Improv Workshop Anchor 3 DAT's Technical! Tech Workshop Wednesday 13th November, 1pm-4pm Te Auaha Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Knobs! Dials! Lights! Sound! Whizz! Bang! Flash! Want to be a gremlin in the corner and learn how to work a tech desk? Come learn with Em Maguire! Emma is a Wellington-based theatremaker, specialising in writing, directing and choreography. Emma runs the theatre company Tempest Theatre Co, which strives to take theatre outside of traditional theatre spaces; using digital, street performance and performance in found spaces. Buy tickets here: DAT's Technical! Tech Workshop Anchor 4 Get DAT Act Together! Workshop with Trent H Baumann Wednesday 13th November 6pm-8pm Te Auaha $5-$40 Pay what you can A workshop in developing your own unique acts and characters for performance. Discover a greater awareness of your individual style to communicate your world to the audience. Suitable for performing artists of many mix of forms, genres and styles. (Participants are encouraged to bring an idea for an act, though if not we will just make one up.) Trent H Baumann, The Birdmann is a highly regarded comic variety performer having graduated from QUT, the Rock 'n' Roll Circus, and has completed ten world tours. He has two half-finished education degrees and has taught at the National Circus Festival, Wollongong Women's Circus and the Miyazaki English Kindergarten in Japan. He was nominated for ‘Most Original Comedy’ at the Edinburgh Fringe, has performed at The Sydney Opera House and is the co-producer of Monfu. Buy tickets here: Get DAT Act Together! Workshop with Trent H Baumann Anchor 5 Write DAT Song! Songwriting Workshop with Maggie Cocco Saturday 16th November, 11am-1pm Te Auaha Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Learn the art of songwriting with Maggie Cocco! Hailing from metro Detroit, Maggie Cocco’s dedication to exploring the depth, breadth, and profundity of music has seen her perform in stadiums with legacy artists, galleries with avante garde expressionists, and many people, places, and musics between. Driven by a commitment to her global community, Maggie Cocco Music offers patron subsidized Pay What You Can services and contributions to various arts and social justice movements and organizations, weaving her passions into the fabric of her work. An independent artist, Cocco is based in Northland, New Zealand where she composes and runs community music programming between tours. Buy tickets here: Write DAT Song! Songwriting Workshop with Maggie Cocco Anchor 6

D.A.F.T 2022 is presented by, and showcases Wellington based, Disabled performing artists, writers and filmmakers. The Festival is being held over seven days across three accessible venues, BATS Theatre, Fringe Bar & Two/FiftySeven Willis Street. Our intention is to develop and grow the Festival as an annual event with 2022 being the first time the Festival has been held. The Festival aims to celebrate and recognise the identity and work of Disabled artists and audiences in the performing arts in Wellington. D.A.F.T will provide a platform for disabled artists to develop and showcase their work and offer accessible events to Deaf and Disabled audiences and the wider community. Festival Directors for 2022 are Kate Spencer and Susan Williams, each Disabled performing artists, producers and makers. Arts Access Aotearoa, Disability Pride Aotearoa, Barbarian Productions & Silver Noodle Soup Film & Theatre Company are key supporters of the D.A.F.T 2022. If you would like to be a present your work as part of D.A.F.T or participate in the directorship and production of the festival please contact us . DAFT Koha box is available for any donations on workshop days, please only donate if you want and are able to. No pressure! Please sign up in advance if you are keen to attend a workshop because spaces are limited. If you have any access needs or questions please email Bernadette . You are welcome to bring a support person, assistance dog, or anyone or anything else that will help you be comfortable and able to participate. We will have friendly, super helpful volunteers who will be keen to answer any questions and help you have a good experience at BATS Theatre & the workshop Accessibility info: The workshops will be held in The Stage Theatre on the ground floor at BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Mt Vic. The BATS Theatre venue and facilities are fully accessible - ramp access to the building is on the left hand side of the building, go to the doorway at the top of the ramp and we be there to welcome you - there is an accessible toilet and bathroom Workshop presenters and volunteers can offer Audio Description within the workshop We apologise that we are unable to offer NZSL for the workshops this year

Events Basic Programme DAT Fest 2024 Programme.docx DAT Fest 2024 Programme.docx Saturday 2nd November, 12pm-1:30pm Te Auaha NZSL/Audio Described DAT Fest 2024 Lunch & Launch It's happening!! Join us for the grand opening of DAT Fest 2024, with speeches from Co-Directors Creatif Kate & Susan Williams. Plus free feed and tours of the venue. See this event on Facebook: DAT Fest Launch & Lunch Buy tickets here: Dat Fest 2024 Launch & Lunch DAT's Entertainment! Launch Gala Te Auaha NZSL/Audio Described Tickets from $5–$40 (pay what you can) Get ready! We’re giving you a taster menu for the festival, with a sprinkle of everything. Short sets, fast paced; new performers and seasoned pros; whet your appetite for the coming weeks. NZSL translated and Audio Described. See this event on Facebook: DAT's Entertainment! Launch Gala Buy tickets here: DAT's Entertainment! Launch Gala Saturday 2nd November, 2pm-3:30pm DAT Hangs & Games Sunday 3rd November, 1pm-4pm Te Auaha Free Bring your own lunch then stick around and hang out with people. Board games, card games, and other tabletop games aplenty! (Co-Directors Kate & Susan have so many games!) See this event on Facebook: DAT Hangs & Games DAT Online Poetry Night Sunday 3rd November, 5:30pm-7pm Te Auaha NZSL Tickets $5–$40 (pay what you can) Zoom into Sunday evening’s poetic parlour and let the words wash over you. With a mixture of live and pre-recorded pieces, vital voices give verse to their world. Hosted by festival Co-Director Creatif Kate from the comfort of her home, and featuring Bennie Greer, Kristeene Parkes, Helen Vivienne Fletcher (video), Maggie Rose (video), Trish Harris (video), Laura Yakas, Ryn Richmond, Soul In Bones (video), and more! Zoom link will be sent via email to ticket holders. See this event on Facebook: DAT Online Poetry Night Buy Tickets: DAT Online Poetry Night Get DAT Peer Support! Thursday 7th November, 12pm-2pm Saturday 16th November, 5pm-6pm Te Auaha Free Come to one, or come to both! Thursday 7th November, 12pm-2pm Saturday 16th November, 5pm-6pm Bring your own food, meet other makers, chat about your projects, network, and hang out with other people from the D/deaf/disabled/neurodiverse community. See this event on Facebook: Get DAT Peer Support! DAT's Hilarious! Comedy Night Thursday 7th November, 7pm-9pm Te Auaha NZSL added in post production Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Fabulous funny folk doing their very best stand-up material (and, in some cases, their very worst puns). Laugh or groan, it’ll be memorable! Emceed by DAT Fest media man Keegan Thomas, the line-up includes Semi Cho, Wesley Hollis, Agnes Widfeldt, Dahlia Dahlin, Shāni, Bennie Greer, DAT Fest design guru Liv Ward and more! See this event on Facebook: DAT's Hilarious! Comedy Night Buy tickets here: DAT's Hilarious! Comedy Night All DAT Jazz (and other genres) Music Night Friday 8th November 6pm-9pm Te Auaha Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Bands, solo artists, and dance troupes mix and mingle in our magnificent musical extravaganza! With Isadora Gallagher, Danica Bryant, Just Dance Krazy, Big Rock, Te KuraHuia, Golden Galaxies Dance Group, and more! Stick around for Feel DAT Beat disco from 9pm–10pm with DJ Thane via Twitch stream! See this event on Facebook: All DAT Jazz (and other genres) Music Night Buy tickets here: All DAT Jazz (and other genres) Music Night Feel DAT Beat! with DJ Thane Friday 8th November, 9pm-10pm Te Auaha Free entry with "All DAT Jazz (and other genres)" ticket or koha at the door. DJ Thane, streamed in via Twitch, gets the party people pumping! Dance the night away and show us your best moves! Free entry with "All DAT Jazz (and other genres)" ticket or donation at the door. See this event on Facebook: Feel DAT Beat! with DJ Thane DAT Family Friendly Day Saturday 9th November 10am-2pm Te Auaha $5 entry ticket then donation for all events & activities Fun for all the family with events in Tapere Nui and on Level 4. Tapere Iti schedule: 10:15–10:45: Drag Storytime (with NZSL) 11–11:30: Danica Bryant singing 11:45am–12:45pm: Kapiti Art: mark-making and movement (with NZSL) 1–1:25pm: Taxidermy (with NZSL) 1:30–2pm: Te KuraHuia singing Level 4 includes: Leo Hollbrook portraits Nail salon Face painting Ask About My Special Interest: mix and mingle See this event on Facebook: DAT Family Friendly Day Buy tickets here: DAT Family Friendly Day DAT Sexy Thing! Caberet Brunch (R18) Sunday 10th November, 11:30am-2pm Te Auaha NZSL, Audio Described Tickets $5–$40 (pay what you can) Easy like Sunday morning? Not today! Raunchy, risqué, and radical: DAT Sexy Thing! is definitely R18 (nudity, adult themes). Ticket price includes brunch food during the interval (alcohol available from the bar). Hopefully hosted by Creatif Kate (health dependent) and starring Natasha Ploy, Shazzah, Shāni, Caryl Loria Illana, Crystal, Ness Quick, and more See this event on Facebook: DAT Sexy Thing! Caberet Brunch Buy tickets here: DAT Sexy Thing! Caberet Brunch Let's Talk About DAT! Access in the Arts Panel Discussion Tuesday 12th November 6pm-8pm Te Auaha NZSL, Audio Described Tickets $5–$40 (pay what you can) Three artists with disabilities discuss how accessibility needs to be at the forefront of arts. With a performance from each panellist that leads into conversations about access. Audience Q&A. Moderated by DAT’s Access Co-ordinator Lauren Hayes, panel confirmation coming soon! See this event on Facebook: Let's Talk About DAT! Access in the Arts Panel Discussion Buy tickets here: Let's Talk About DAT! Access in the Arts Panel Discussion blip – DAT Fest Solo Show (Cancelled) Thursday 14th November 7pm-8pm Te Auaha Audio Described, NZSL Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) blip is an interactive, family friendly, underwater adventure by award-winning performance artist Isaac Hooper. The pioneering production of 'Cyborg Sound Poetry', blip harnesses embodied electronics for voice, light, and wordplay through clown. Cast your voice into the whirlpool and reel in the world we sing to life. Science for Sociopaths - DAT Fest Solo Show Friday 15th November, 6:30pm-7:30pm Te Auaha NZSL, Audio Described Tickets $5–$40 (pay what you can) "Science for Sociopaths – A Multimedia Show + Art Exhibition" is an electrifying performance art piece that explores societal issues from a feminist lens. Featuring original music, guest artists, and interactive audience participation, the performance encourages viewers to reflect on their own experiences in order to contribute to an evolving communal artwork. Complementing the live show is an exhibition showcasing artworks that have been made with audiences at previous shows, providing deeper insight into the powerful message and creative process. Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and immersed in a world where art and activism collide. See this event on Facebook: Science for Sociopaths - DAT Fest Solo Show Buy tickets here: Science for Sociopaths - DAT Fest Solo Show Creatif Kate's DAT Fest Double Book Launch Saturday 16th November 1:15pm-2pm Online NZSL FREE (No need to register, just show up!) Creatif Kate doesn’t know how to have a quiet life. In the midst of co-directing the festival, she has also put together two new books. "Heavenly Haiku" was written during the Oasis group at church over the past year. "Open Legs Open Heart" has been in the works since 2020. It's a sexy yet wholesome confessional, an almost sequel to Squirt (her first book). Both books will be available to buy for $30 each. No need to register for this event, just show up! See this event on Facebook: Creatif Kate's DAT Fest Double Book Launch Jules Daniel’s Development show (cancelled) Saturday 16th November, 2pm-2:45pm Online (Podcast) Pay what you can ($5-$40) More info coming soon... Redundant – DAT Fest Solo Show Saturday 16th November 7pm-8pm Te Auaha Audio Described, NZSL Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) Comedian Jess Karamjeet had plans – ambitious ones and downright evil ones – but lately she’s been feeling redundant. Her dad died, and she’s in the queer dating-pool again after four years. There’s also the tiny issue of being a writer and performer with cuts on the horizon... But Jess is fighting! ‘Redundant’ is a rally cry for creatives, misfits and contradictory humans: an hour of stand-up and songs navigating queer and bi-racial identity, grief, and the taboo powers of hidden disabilities. R16, discussions around sex & sexuality Buy tickets here: Redundant – DAT Fest Solo Show Where's DAT? Next Steps Discussion Sunday 17th November, 12pm-1:30pm Te Auaha FREE (No need to register, just show up!) What's next for DAT Fest? Where do you fit in? What can we improve? What would you like to see more of? Have your say! Ask core members of the team all those questions you've been wanting to ask. No need to register, just show up! See this event on Facebook: Where's DAT? Next Steps Discussion Closing Speeches and Lunch Sunday 17th November, 1:30pm-2:30pm Te Auaha NZSL Free Speeches from our co-directors Susan Williams and Creatif Kate and free lunch. DAT's All, Folks! Sunday 17th November 2:30pm-4pm Te Auaha NZSL, Audio Described Tickets $5-$40 (Pay what you can) The finale of the festival, featuring some of our favourites from the past two weeks – plus new acts worked on during workshops. Cast includes: Natasha Ploy, Caryl Loria Illana, Rx Tosterone, Mercury Ava, Just Dance Krazy, Golden Galaxies, Big Rock, Mark & Robert in their debut drag performance, and more!! NZSL interpreted and Audio Described See this event on Facebook: DAT's All, Folks! Buy tickets here: DAT's All, Folks! DAT's A Wrap! Afterparty Sunday 17th November, 4pm-6pm Te Auaha FREE (No need to register, just show up!) Join the loud party in Tapere Iti, or the quieter one on Level 4. Celebrate the sensational season and party! Hang out with your new friends up on level four, or get moving to the music in Tapere Iti (or go between the two!) No need to register, just show up! See this event on Facebook: DAT's A Wrap! Afterparty Audio Versions lunch and launch 00:00 / 00:23 Dats entertainment 00:00 / 00:29 DAT hangs and games 00:00 / 00:20 DAT Online Poetry 00:00 / 00:41 Get DAT Peer Support! 00:00 / 00:22 DAT's Hilarious! 00:00 / 00:33 All DAT Jazz 00:00 / 00:31 Feel DAT Beat! 00:00 / 00:23 DAT Family Friendly Day 00:00 / 00:46 DAT Sexy Thing! 00:00 / 00:38 Let's Talk about DAT! 00:00 / 00:28 Science for Sociopaths 00:00 / 00:49 Creatif Kate Book Launch 00:00 / 00:39 Where's DAT 00:00 / 00:24 DAT's All, Folks! 00:00 / 00:34 DAT's a Wrap! 00:00 / 00:26

CONTACT Present or Participate at DAT Fest We want to hear from disabled artists who are keen to present their work as part of the 2026 Festival. We are also looking for disabled folks who want to work in our team, volunteer or contribute to the festival going forward. Got an idea? Send us an email at hello.datfest@gmail.com . Access Do you have access needs or questions? Check out the Venues and Access page. If you still have questions, please send us an email at access.datfest@gmail.com General Enquiries If you can't find the answers to your questions on this website, please feel free to contact us directly: Email: hello.datfest@gmail.com You can also use the contact form on this website. Join Us Are you a disabled artist who wants to participate in the festival? Or an ally or disabled person who wants to volunteer? Fill in our form for DAT Fest 2026. Or get in touch using the form below. Name Email Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

Resources and Access DAT Fest 2024 is hosted at Te Auaha in Wellington city centre. We are committed to accessibility. You can find information about venues and general accessibility on this page. You can also read DAT Fest's Kaupapa and Shared Expectations on a separate page. Contents Venues Accessibility Transport Kaupapa & Shared Expectations FAQ Venues Te Auaha Te Auaha is home to an incredible creative school that houses students studying Theatre, Film, Photography, and The Arts and is now the home to DAT Fest 2024. DAT Fest will be using Te Auaha's Tapere Iti theatre for shows and workshops. We will also be taking over the building's 4th floor for the festival. We will have multiple professional spaces for workshops, classes, rehearsals, and even the space to hang out and chill. For more information on Te Auaha's accessibility, please see their Parking & Accessibility page. Accessibility Here is some general accessibility information and information for specific needs. For venue info, please see the "Venues " section above. If you need other help, please email access.datfest@gmail.com . All Performances You are welcome to stim, wriggle, fidget, move around if you need. Please keep off stage if you can, but otherwise you are welcome to stand up and move about if you need. If you think you might want to stand up, we recommend that you grab a free-standing seat in the front row, which will make it easier for you. Let us know if you would like help and we can help find right seat for you. It should go without saying, but all Assistance Dogs are welcome!!! Support people are also welcome but please book a ticket for them so we have a chair available. You can use a ‘free’ option on the sliding scale when booking for your support person. Wellbeing Wingpeople are available to help you. They will be wearing beads to provide another sensory cue to identify them. Relaxed Performances We ask you to come in quietly and stay quiet in the foyer before and after, to provide a safe sensory experience for your fellow theatre goers. We also ask if you can please ‘click’ rather than clap, and, if there is audience interaction, please whisper rather than shout. If you would like to enter the auditorium early to get out of the crowd, please ask and we can let you in. Relaxed performances will have reduced volume/soft auditorium lighting. Stim toys will be available. Companions There is an option to book a companion ticket for free. Anyone who needs a companion is welcome to use this option, you don’t have to prove or explain why you need to bring a companion with you. If you need a free companion ticket, then please book one. Vision AD (Audio Description) is provided by our community Audio Describers, trained and advised by blind people. For shows the AD is delivered through radio transmitters which have a headphone jack. You can bring your own headphones, or use the single over-ear headphone provided. For workshops with AD, the community Audio Describer will sit with you and ensure you have access to visual information. Any event that does not have AD is expected to be accessible to blind and low vision audiences and participants without it. To book AD shows Book normally, there is no need to book a specific AD ticket. If there is no touch tour, please arrive 20 mins before the show starts for the intro and to get set up with AD equipment. If you need a companion, you can book their ticket at the same time, just select the free companion option for their ticket. Hearing Please check this website and Facebook for updates on NZSL. We have NZSL summaries of the festival and programme . Transport Accessible Shuttle Because there aren't many parks near Te Auaha, we will be running a free shuttle to and from the Railway Station, Te Papa carpark and certain locations in Wellington City and the Hutt. This shuttle is a 8 seat, 2 wheelchair, van with a hoist (link to description of the van ). The shuttle will drop you off 30 minutes before events and pick you up 15 minutes after events. We cannot guarantee shuttle rides beyond Wellington Central. We may be able to offer rides at the beginning and the end of the day to the Hutt, but this is not guaranteed. To book a space on this shuttle, please fill out the DAT Fest Shuttle Booking Form . Reimbursing Transport Costs If you need help getting to and from DAT Fest from other Wellington locations, we can pay your public transport, petrol and parking costs. Please contact access@datfest.gmail.com for help with getting your transport costs reimbursed.

Previous Years This page contains information about previous years' programmes. DAFT 2023 DAFT 2023 was the second year of DAFT. Events Saturday 16th September, 5pm-7:30pm Two/Fiftyseven NZSL/AD The Launch Party It’s back! Bolder, longer, more accessible, and with slightly more joint pain, it’s DAFT 2023! Join us at two/fiftyseven on Willis St at 5pm to celebrate the launch of DAFT 2023. There'll be speeches (short ones), mini performances, food, the chance to speed date an artist, and plenty of opportunity to celebrate the talent found in the d/Deaf, Disabled, and neurodiverse communities. All welcome. Facebook Event: The Launch Party Your Body Is a Wasteland Saturday 16th to Saturday 30th September, 5pm Online Sometime in the future, their world ends. That's only the beginning. Piece together digital remnants of a forgotten world, following our protagonist as they travel the apocalyptic wastes. A deeply felt story of chronic illness, time, and hope. When your body betrays you, where can you turn? You will be able access the show on this website. Facebook Event: Your Body Is a Wasteland Social Sundays Sundays 17th and 24th September, 2pm-4:30pm Two/Fiftyseven NZSL/AD Spend time getting to know your fellow artists and build community! Bring your crafts, your art, your writing, your favourite board games, some snacks, and hang out! Stay for the whole time or drop in for a quick chat. Everyone welcome. Facebook Event: Social Sundays Five Slices of Another Life – development season Thursday 21st to Friday 23rd September, 7pm-9pm Sunday 24th September, 4pm-6pm BATS Theatre NZSL, AD Two women wait to be rescued from a burning building. Another finds salvation in a box of chickens. Things get awkward in a cafe. A detective investigates himself, and a blind seer delivers one last prophecy. Five new Kiwi short plays, written by and featuring disabled and neurodiverse folk – are you ready to step into another life? This show has NZSL on Sept 21st and 22nd Audio Description on Sept 23rd and 24th Relaxed Performance Sept 24th Facebook Event: Five Slices of Another Life – development season BATS Event: Five Slices of Another Life – development season Palsy it Up! Sunday 24th September, 2pm-3:30pm Friday 29th September, 6:30pm-8pm BATS Theatre AD, Subtitles If you liked ten minutes of Dave Batten last year, you're in luck! The rest of his set is HERE in full-length glory. Expect self-deprecation, social commentary, hearty guffaws, and unrestrained honesty. Dave presents his comedy as a slide show with inbuilt subtitles. He is a comedian with athetoied cerebral palsy who loves making people laugh. Facebook Event: Palsy It Up! BATS Event: DAFT - Palsy It Up Scratch Night 26th September, 6:30pm-8:30pm BATS Theatre NZSL, AD All new performances from DAFT participants! Witness a wide range of talent from individuals and groups! Check out how many art forms we can cram into one evening! Bite-sized work-in-progress, raw, unpolished new and developing pieces from local writers, dancers, makers, and creatives. Have you (a disabled and/or D/deaf artist) got something you want to share? Get in touch! You're guaranteed a live, generous, art-loving audience. Facebook Event: Scratch Night BATS Event: DAFT Scratch Night Body of Work 28th September, 6:30pm-8pm BATS Theatre AD ‘Body of Work’ by Melanie McKerchar is a poetry show that explores what it means to be a woman with a body that is chronically ill, disabled, and plus sized. There will be laughter, tears, wombs, and boobs. It is hard work loving a body that society deems unworthy, but this show shouts: all bodies are good bodies! Facebook Event: Body of Work BATS Event: DAFT - Body of Work Chronic Club Caberet 30th September, 6:30pm-9:30pm BATS Theatre AD Celebrate the success of DAFT '23 with MC (and festival co-director) Creatif Kate as she hosts (probably horizontally) an extravaganza of talent from all corners of the cabaret scene. Opera, burlesque, drag, and performance art like you've never seen before! Starring: Laura Loach, Vixen Temple, ShaZaah, Blood Baby, Maggie Rose as LaLa, & more! Stick around for the closing ceremony and after party! Facebook Event: Chronic Club Cabaret BATS Event: DAFT - Chronic Club Cabaret Workshops Accessible Improv Fun Tuesday 19th September, 10am-2pm BATS Theatre NZSL, AD Learn from a fellow disabled improvisor (and festival co-director!), and throw away your inhibitions, expectations, and a decent chunk of your dignity. Accessible Improv Fun. (A joyful taster for disabled and D/deaf people to try improv, play games, and connect.) Facebook Event: Improv Workshop One BATS Event: DAFT Improv Workshop with Susan Williams Comedy Workshop Thursday 21st September, 2pm-5pm BATS Theatre NZSL, AD Getting Started in Stand-up Comedy A fun no-pressure overview of everything you need to know to get a mic in your face for the first time. Learn techniques for joke-writing and delivery, where and how to get practice, and how to avoid many common mistakes new performers make. Register via BATS website. Koha (suggested $20), but pay what you can. Facebook Event: Comedy Workshop with Neil Thornton BATS Event: Daft Workshop - Neil Thornton's Comedy Class Drama Workshop Friday 22nd September, 10am-1pm BATS Theatre Join award-winning Silver Noodle Soup Film and Theatre Company for a drama workshop like no other! These festival favourites create a safe and joyful space. Facebook Event: Drama Workshop with Silver Noodle Soup BATS Event: DAFT Drama Workshop with Silver Noodle Soup Techniques for Disabled Improvisors Tuesday 26th September, 10am-2pm BATS Theatre NZSL, AD Workshop two: Techniques for disabled improvisors. (For disabled and D/deaf performers with some prior experience, who want to take their improv skills to the next level.) Facebook Event: Improv Workshop 2 BATS Event: Techniques for Disabled Improvisers Writing Workshop Wednesday 27th September, 2pm-4pm Online Join festival Co-director Creatif Kate for an online writing workshop. Bring rough drafts, new ideas, and blank pages to shape into something special. Suitable for all levels. Please let the team know your accessibility needs when you sign up! Facebook Event: Writing Workshop with Creatif Kate Booking Information: Book via daftfestivalteam@gmail.com and you'll be sent the Zoom link. Drag Workshop Friday 29th September, 2pm-5pm BATS Theatre AD Discover your drag character, create a catchy name, and bring them to life! Learn about stage presence, song choice, incorporating your existing talents, and how to drive a crowd wild with excitement! Facebook Event: Drag Workshop with Willy SmacknTush BATS Event: Drag Workshop Dance Workshop Friday 29th September, 2pm-4pm BATS Theatre Join WIDance for a playful dance experience, where we will warm up to some fun tunes, create mini dances, and find new ways of moving and grooving on the dance floor. Facebook Event: Dance Workshop with WIDance BATS Event: DAFT Workshop - Dance and Movement DAFT 2022 DAFT 2022 was the first year of DAFT. Events & Shows Launch Party & Living Library Sunday 18 September, 1pm - 3pm BATS Theatre Book Tickets Here NZSL Interpreted Event Welcome speech/es, info about the Festival programme and kaupapa…, sharing food and drinks, a living library/speed date an artist component where launch goers can meet and interview DAFT artists about them and their creative work. Welcome to the launch of DAFT - the Disabled Artists' Festival of Theatre! We'll have welcome speeches, info about the Festival programme and kaupapa, we'll share food and drinks, and you'll find a living library where you can speed date an artist - meet and interview DAFT participants and ask about them and their creative work! Wellington Feminist Poetry Tuesday 20 September, 7.30pm Fringe Bar Book Tickets Here The Wellington Feminist Creative Community brings you its curated Poetry Night, this month in association with DAFT. Eight disabled poets bring their finest work to your Tuesday night, with MC Creatif Kate. All proceeds go back to the poets. DAFT x Barbarian SCRATCH NIGHT Thursday 22 September, 7pm Two/Fifty Seven ( Venue entrance: 70 Victoria Street) Book Tickets Here Volunteer Audio Described Scratch Night offers artists and audiences an opportunity to present short excerpts or ideas of work-in-development, offering audiences bite sized morsels of wild new work and artists an opportunity to test and present work in front of a live, generous, art-loving audience. Come and witness some of Poneke’s finest disabled artists in what promises to be an unforgettable night. If you are a disabled poet, dancer, comedian, writer, performer or singer and want to present your work please email Jessie . Illegally Blind Friday 23 September, 7pm Two/Fifty Seven ( Venue entrance: 70 Victoria Street) Book Tickets Here Integrated Audio Description Touch Tour 6.30pm Tw: Ableism, fatphobia, queerphobia Tragedy! Hardship!! Inspiration!!! This. Is. NOT. That. Show. Susan is a perfectly normal queer, fat, functionally blind, Autistic, chronically and mentally ill, nonbinary person, who just happens to be collecting diagnoses faster than they collect eel facts. In this not-so-solo solo show, Susan just wants to get stuff done. Instead, they end up on an epic quest, battling sock-puppets, ableist audio-describers, a pile of laundry, and people who don’t provide digital copies of important documents. Drawing on twenty years of theatre and performance skills, Susan brings their real-life experiences to the stage. The result is a whimsical romp through the world of identity and shattered expectations, mixing traditional theatre with stand up comedy, poetry, improvisation, and more silly voices than you can shake an eel at. Content warning: Illegally Blind contains references to ableism, fatphobia and queerphobia. Spring Shoots: Performance & Film work from Silver Noodle Soup Saturday 24 September, 7pm Two/Fifty Seven ( Venue entrance: 70 Victoria Street) Book Tickets Here Volunteer Audio Described Witness 2022 Wellington Airport Award Winners, Silver Noodle Soup. The Film & Theatre Company presents another legendary theatre performance programme and premiers their latest film SNS 4! SNS artists roll out the red carpet to showcase their ensemble skills in movement & song including resident writer Maggie Rose Paine’s Instruments Have a Christmas Party… where violins going by the clump, French horns sneeze and bassoons go unheeded… and some solo acts to boot! SNS4 is a 30 minute, captioned, roller coaster ride of Silver Noodle Film Making Workshop 2021 artists doing what they love best: big song hits, drag, storytelling, dance, movie scenes, magic tricks and comedy. Sexy Sunday Shenanigans Sunday 25 September, 7.30pm Fringe Bar Book Tickets Here Volunteer Audio Described Slide into Sunday evening with a truly vaudevillian variety show, featuring tantalising talent from the top tier of Wellington’s performance world. All corners of the cabaret scene are covered: burlesque, pole, comedy, drag, poetry, music, a mixture of them all – we've found only the finest for you to wind down the weekend with. Starring: Laura Loach, Blood Baby, Nathan Bond, Vixen Temple, EJ Barrett, Dave Batten, ShaZaah, Ness Quick Created, produced, and hosted by Wellington's wildest woman – Creatif Kate (winner 2021 Welly Comedy Award for Innovation). Made possible with the support of the WCC Living Wage for Artists Fund. Workshops Intro to Improv Workshop Monday 19 September, 10am - 2pm (or come for the first two hours). BATS Theatre Register Here A workshop for disabled people which puts our experiences first. Have you always wanted to try improv, or do you already love it? And are you disabled or have a long term mental or physical condition? Come along and learn how to make theatre on the spot, have some fun, and unlock your spontaneity! No experience necessary. This will be a fun jam, and an exploration of skills, for any experience level. Learn from a fellow disabled improvisor, and throw away your inhibitions, expectations, and a decent chunk of your dignity. As we play games, look over some basics, and have an amazing time connecting with each other, and above all, making stuff up!!! All the exercises and games are adaptable, and no one will make you do something you are uncomfortable with. The tutor is blind and neurodivergent, so the day will absolutely be blind and ND friendly. Inside Drag with Les Femmes Wednesday 21 September, 1 1am - 1pm BATS Theatre Register Here Les Femmes, New Zealand’s cabaret drag sensation is coming to DAFT! This trio of gals deliver slick vocals, tight choreography and bucket loads of belly laughs. Come behind the scenes and grab a taste of Drag prep and performance! DAFT 2022 are excited to be hosting the Les Femmes queens for an insightful performance preparation demonstration. Join us for a fascinating window into the complex 'getting ready' process the Les Femmes queens embark on each time they prepare for a performance. From makeup design and application, to body work, wigs, jewellery and costuming - watching the queens become 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' and performance ready is an education you won't want to miss out on! You will have lots of opportunity to ask questions and talk with Les Femmes about Drag performing. Silver Noodle Soup Drama Workshop Friday 23 September 10am - 1pm BATS Theatre Register Here Would you like to try out drama in a no-stress, friendly and inclusive environment or check out how our Silver Noodle Soup Film and Theatre Company approaches inclusive performing arts practice? At the workshop you will meet and spend time with disabled performing artists, play games, share ideas, devise and perform pieces with a disability-led film and theatre company! Silver Noodle Soup Company members alongside tutors Madeline McNamara and Haidee Clark will lead this fun session. SNS Company members are young performing artists, film and theatre makers with intellectual disabilities and/or who are neuro-diverse. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this workshop! MC Workshop Saturday 24 September 10am - 1pm BATS Theatre Register Here Join Creatif Kate for a beginner's guide to MCing as a person with disabilities. Learn about stage presence, crowd work, and setting the scene for shows of all kinds. Practise your skills with the class, gain confidence in front of an audience, learn how to manage your disabilities, and have fun!! Creatif Kate is well-known on the poetry, comedy, and cabaret circuits of Wellington. She's a poet, producer, performer, photographer, preacher – basically, if it starts with 'p' she's in. She has done MC work of various kinds for many years and lives with multiple chronic conditions, both physical and mental.

Donate DAT Fest appreciates any and all donations. The money you donate will go towards supporting DAT Fest artists. How To Donate You can donate to DAT Fest via an internet banking transfer or with cash to the koha boxes at events and workshops. Here are DAT Fest's details if you want to donate via internet banking: Bank account name: Creatif Kate Bank account number: 02-1248-0617172-032 Please use the reference "DAT Fest 2024" or the name of the workshop or event you want to support when you donate.

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