training and labs
upcoming lab – register now
Dreaming the wild – movement/multimodal lab
A multiday professional development creative retreat for CATs
The Whatipu Lodge on the Wild West Coast of Tāmaki Makaurau is booked for an extended movement/multi-modal lab. The kaupapa is open to what is alive in the environment, for each of us and the collective. All are welcome to offer creative input to sessions and to also to take time out to do what they need at any time. The invitation is to take time and space to be with what arises.
Attendance can be flexible as this venue is close enough to Auckland for day visits, or you can opt to stay for as many nights (1–3) as you would like.
There is a range of outdoor environments: grassy paddocks, a bush-lined stream, the wild west coast black sand beach and caves.
Dates
Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) to Thursday 9 April 2026
Where
The Whatipu Lodge on the Wild West Coast of Tāmaki Makaurau
Hosts
Amanda Levey and guest facilitators
Times
Day attendance: 10am–5pm each day
Overnight attendance:
Evening sessions – 7.30–9.30pm
Early morning sessions – 8.30–9.30am
Catering
Vegetarian and vegan meals provided.
Day attendance – lunch provided
Night/day attendance – dinner, breakfast, lunch provided
Cost
Day only – $70 per day
Overnight only – $90 per night
Night/day – $150 per day/night
Full attendance (3 x day/night) – $400
Register
Register on the form below
Registration form
Thank you to everyone who gave an expression of interest. Here you can change or confirm which days/nights you plan to attend. Registrations are open to anyone who has not yet provided an EOI.
Because we are making flexible attendance possible, the list below might seem daunting – sorry!
We have created an instruction page to help you figure out your registration. If you are still confused after reading the instructions, please email Amanda.
Play
There is something magical as an adult to find people one can play with; to feel safe enough to be fully engaged and present and embodied; to be spontaneous and improvisational; to be silly and serious; to try things out; to be surprised and to make mistakes. In the play space everything is allowed and accepted as part of the play. Being witnessed and witnessing is a key aspect when video and photographs come into the play. One can be witnessed and witness, and on viewing the videos and photos can witness oneself and make sense of the choices made and fall in love with one’s own movement as a true expression of oneself in that moment. The relationship to one’s play mates is full of sensitive attunement and stimulation for new possibilities and creative sympoeisis. When play occurs in nature all the elements of nature become partners in the play – wind, sky, clouds, trees, grass, sand, rock.
Amanda has facilitated and co-facilitated training and workshops in the creative arts therapies with many different intentions and audiences.
At present she is most interested in running experiential experimental labs for participants who are comfortable to work with movement, improvisation, performance and collaborative creativity. Participants experience the vulnerability and excitement of our individual and shared experience emerging.