Aotearoa’s First Live ASMR Show Comes To Wellington

New Zealand’s first live ASMR show is coming to Wellington for the 2022 NZ Fringe Festival.

It’s called RAW! ASMR and is scheduled for 8 – 9 March at BATS Theatre.

ASMR — Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response — refers to the scientifically recognised ‘tingling’ sensation some people experience from seeing or hearing certain ‘triggers.’ Triggers are often whispering, the tapping of wood, the crinkling of paper, or attentively executed ‘boring’ tasks such as preparing vegetables. It’s a phenomenon that has seen millions of videos created for YouTube with billions of views.

While ASMR is massive on YouTube, there have only been a few live shows worldwide, and RAW! ASMR will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

RAW! ASMR is being created by award-winning theatre-maker Amy Atkins (period.) It’s her second solo show and will be comedic live ASMR with a focus on fresh food and eating.

Amy experiences the ‘tingling’ sensation of ASMR and discovered online videos in 2018.

“There are so many ASMR videos online, but it always seems like such a solitary thing — whether the creator is sitting in a studio alone filming or you’re at home watching it by yourself. I think it all becomes a bit serious. I want to find the funny side of ASMR and bring people together to share in it and laugh together.”

Amy says RAW! ASMR will be a celebration of ASMR, not a takedown.

“If people love watching ASMR they can love this show — the normal sounds and structure of ASMR will be there. But it will also be fun for those people to see a different side of it. And anyone who hasn’t seen ASMR can get an insight into the unique world of ASMR while having a laugh.”

But why is it called RAW! ASMR and why is the focus on fresh food and eating?

“I grew up on a biodynamic, organic, market garden. I guess I sort of have a connection to fresh produce! But I also just think there are so many laughs that can come from it.”

The development season of RAW! ASMR is on at BATS Theatre 8-9 March at 9pm. It’s part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival. Book tickets to RAW! ASMR at fringe.co.nz.

If you want to support the show but can’t attend in person, Amy is running a fundraising campaign to fund the development of RAW! ASMR on Boosted.org.nz.

Amy needs to raise $5,000 before the campaign closes 9pm on the 25 February. All funds go towards paying the creative crew to devise and perform the show.

“It’s a difficult time to create and perform live theatre with limits on the numbers we can have in a theatre. But we really want to keep the momentum up and do everything we can for NZ Fringe 2022, then we can bring the show back to bigger audiences in the future. We’d love if anyone can champion us to do that.”

“Life can be really hard at the moment. We all deserve to laugh and relax.”

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