Arts Access AotearoaArts Access Aotearoa has made Tim Bray Theatre Company’s accessibility resources available on its website, preserving the legacy of a company that championed accessible theatre for children in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for more than three decades.
From 1991 to 2024, Tim Bray Theatre Company was the country’s longest-running professional children’s theatre company. It was dedicated to inspiring young audiences through the power of imagination, creating theatre for children aged three to ten, their families and teachers.
In 2020, Tim Bray Theatre Company was presented the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award at Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2020 for leading the way in making live theatre inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
The company closed its doors in late 2024, following the ill-health of its founder and Artistic Director, Tim Bray QSM, who passed away in July 2025.
Honouring the company’s legacy
Arts Access Aotearoa is now honouring the company’s legacy by making its accessibility resources and practices available free to the public.
Gail Rotheram, former Business Development Manager at Tim Bray Theatre Company, thanked Arts Access Aotearoa for creating a “wonderful legacy page” to honour Tim Bray’s vision.
“Making theatre accessible for all children became part of who we were,” Gail says. “It shaped everything we did and inspired the joy we saw in every audience.”
Katie Querin, Arts For All Activator Whakahohe a Toi Ōritetanga, Arts Access Aotearoa says these resources are a valuable gift to anyone in the arts community committed to improving access and inclusion.
“Tim Bray Theatre Company was a trailblazer in making theatre a welcoming space for all children,” Katie says.
“These resources capture years of learning and innovation that others can now draw from. By sharing them openly, we’re ensuring Tim Bray’s vision of inclusive theatre continues to inspire new generations.”
Three main categories of resources
The resources include examples, handbooks and videos showing how each accessibility initiative was developed and delivered. The resources are grouped into three main categories:
- New Zealand Sign Language interpreted performances: Beginning in 2004, these performances were designed to make theatre accessible for Deaf children and their families. Students from Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education were regular attendees. The company also created NZSL promotional videos and launched the Deaf Stage Experience in 2021.
- Audio described performances: Beginning in 2015, these performances included live narration for blind and low vision patrons, provided through headsets. The company also offered touch tours before the shows, giving audience members the chance to explore sets, costumes and props by touch, and to meet the cast.
- Sensory relaxed performances: Added in 2019, these performances provided a welcoming, low-stress environment for neurodivergent children, their families and anyone who preferred a more relaxed theatre atmosphere. Lighting and sound levels were softened and extensive support materials were provided. These included a welcome video, story summary, seating chart and pre-show introductions. The company also developed a “Sensory Relaxed Performances for Children” handbook, sharing its processes and learnings, and created a sensory relaxed logo that it gifted for use by the wider arts community.
“Arts Access Aotearoa is pleased to honour the legacy of this incredible company,” Katie says. “Its approach helped countless children experience the joy of live theatre – some for the very first time.”
Download the company's accessibility resources, where they are intended to inspire and support others to create accessible arts experiences across Aotearoa.
