White Noise has emerged from creator Alisha Mclennan Marler’s lived experience as a mother with disability.
The work is an ongoing dance of communication – hearing and being heard, being seen and unseen, and the agency to craft our own narrative. White Noise turns the tables of perception onto the audience – inviting them to reflect on the preconceptions that Alisha is so often confronted with as she moves through the world. The lens of motherhood brings the reciprocal and constant interplay of parent and child into the feedback loop. Intimate experiences of parenthood intermingle with unapologetic social rebellion.
The work is both personal and utterly communal, drawing us to consider our own place in the conversation.
Undercover Artist Festival is hosted at Queensland Theatre, find out more about purchasing tickets here and venue access here.
Community/Concession tickets are available for people with disability, First Nations patrons, seniors, and concession card holders. Companion Card holders can access a free ticket.
Thursday, 25 September
8:00pm
Friday, 26 September
4:00pm
Companion Cards are accepted. A transaction fee of $5.00 will apply per transaction.
No warnings
Lead Creator, Choreographic Collaborator, Performer for White Noise
Lead Creator, Choreographic Collaborator, Performer – Alisha McLennan Marler
Choreographic Collaborator – Jessie McCall
AV, Set, Lighting Designer and Operator – Bradley Gledhill
AV, Set, Lighting Designer and Operator – Filament 11
Composer – Andrew McMillian
Costume Designer, Ariel Consultant – Eve Gordon
Aerial Rigging Consultant – Jaine Mieka
Aerial Rigger for Undercover Artist Festival
Alisha McLennan Marler is a respected and versatile presence in New Zealand’s dance scene. Her rich performance career includes works like Ika (2018), Same Sun (2018), and Somatechics (2017). She has collaborated with acclaimed choreographers such as Malia Johnston, Catherine Chappell, and Carol Brown. As a choreographer, Alisha embraces collaboration, creating works with Julie Van Renen (Waves, 2024), Georgie Goater (Lean and Mean It, 2016), and Adrian Smith (Bless, 2014). Her contributions to dance have earned her accolades including the Attitude Live Artistic Achievement Award (2013) and the AIMES Award from the North Harbour Club (2011).
Jessie McCall is a queer movement artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her work harnesses visual design, sound, and distinct movement vocabularies to build darkly humorous worlds that are slippery, disruptive, and human.
Alongside her independent choreographic career, Jessie has created commissioned work for Footnote Dance Company, Auckland Arts Festival, Touch Compass, SPLORE Festival, & Auckland Pride Festival. She is the co-founder of feminist dance collective SOFT. co with Rose Philpott. Her current research investigates the relationship of personal and societal change, most recently undertaken at Studio 88 Artist Residency Thailand, and the Experimental Choreographic Residency, Sydney.
Fiona Saunders is an emerging queer and neurodivergent producer and performer, recently graduating with a Bachelor’s in Dance Studies from the University of Auckland. After completing her studies in 2022, she joined Touch Compass, a disability arts organisation, starting as a production intern and now being a regular part of the team, performing in projects and contributing to multiple production teams. In addition to her work with Touch Compass, Fiona freelances in the dance industry. Notably, she produced Our Jurisdiction, choreographed by Deborah Fletcher, which received Runner Up Best in Fringe and the Dance/Cabaret/Physical Theatre Award at Dunedin Fringe 2024. She is also choreographing her debut work, Strawberry Baby (2025).
Rachel Marlow and Bradley Gledhill are the co-founders and production designers behind Filament Eleven 11, a highly sought-after design company known for dynamic lighting, set, and video designs for live events and public experiences. Their work centers on blending design and technology to create unique, boundary-pushing storytelling experiences. Filament Eleven 11 collaborates with inspiring creatives, earning numerous accolades including Best Production Design and Best Visual Arts at Auckland Fringe 2020, and multiple awards from the Auckland Theatre Awards (Excellence in Design 2019, People’s Choice Best Lighting 2017 & 2016) and Wellington Theatre Awards (Lighting Designer of the Year 2018 & 2016).
Andrew McMillan (Drew) is a disabled improviser, composer, and sound artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. His work explores the intersection of improvised music, sound art, and accessibility. A designer of Accessible Musical Instruments, Drew is currently completing a PhD on accessibility in music-making at the University of Auckland. He has created compositions and sound designs for theatre, film, TV, and dance. Drew is Co-Chair of both the Audio Foundation and the Touch Compass Board, and is passionate about inclusive creative practice that challenges norms and opens up new possibilities for disabled artists in performance.
Eve Gordon is a prominent figure in New Zealand’s performance scene, an advocate and educator in circus arts and theatre. They studied a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting Major) at UNITEC before delving into physical theatre and circus arts. In 2009, they founded The Dust Palace, debuting two shows at the inaugural Auckland Fringe Festival. Over the past decade, Eve has grown into a skilled creator, producer, artistic director, and businessperson, earning awards and widespread recognition, including being dubbed the ‘Beyoncé of New Zealand Circus.’ They remain one of the country’s top-tier circus artists. On the side of this busy and illustrious creative career, Eve has designed and created an abundant wardrobe of costumes.
Jaine Mieka is a versatile artist, performer, and producer with extensive experience in arts administration, education, and technical roles. A long-term member of The Dust Palace, Jaine has contributed to numerous projects, both as a performer and technical crew. Known for managing fast-paced, high-risk environments with calm precision, they excel in maintaining high standards of health and safety. Jaine’s expertise extends to teaching and developing educational resources, ensuring projects are executed with attention to detail and professionalism. Their diverse skill set and commitment to quality make them a valuable asset to any production or team.
Undercover Artist acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present, and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship to land, water and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
Proudly supported by
This program is proudly sponsored by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Undercover Artist Festival is presented by Access Arts.
