Basement Co-Labs

Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North has two Basement tech workshops on offer this August. In 2026, thanks to generous funding from Mercury, the courses are FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18.

Sound with Abi Symes

29th August - 10am-4pm

Get hands-on with the essentials of live sound! This workshop covers the basics of setting up a PA system — from plugging in and signal flow to EQ and gain structure. Learn how to choose and position microphones for vocals, instruments, and drums to get the best sound possible. Perfect for beginners, bands wanting to level up their live shows, or anyone curious about how it all works behind the desk.

Lights with Talya Pilcher

30th August - 10am-4pm

Focusing on the basics of light rigging, learn about lighting systems and their uses. Talya is a graduate from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School’s technical production course. She has since worked in the entertainment industry doing lighting, staging, pyrotechnics, and event management for over 20 years. She has designed the lighting for many of Centrepoint Theatre’s productions including That Bloody Woman, Shortland Street – The Musical and Misery. Recent credits include: Act Three's production of Come From Away, the touring production of Two Guitars, and Monument at Circa Theatre. When she's not working on theatre lighting design projects, she can be found working behind the scenes on Trackside broadcasts around the lower North Island and tutoring lighting at Feilding High School.