NAPA News - Week 1, Term 1, 2025
KIM REYNOLDS
COMPANY DIRECTOR
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome back to our returning NAPA families and hello to our new families!
We are so excited for an amazing year of learning, growth, and opportunities. It is a chock-full year, and we can’t wait to see all our students continue to flourish, doing what they love. This year we will have 5 youth musicals, 2 youth plays, 2 NAPA Ensemble musicals, 2 NAPA Ensemble plays, 3 dance concerts and our Performance Teams will attend 2 dance competitions. On top of this we will be looking for other performance opportunities for our students, so they can experience some real-world experience in a non-competitive environment, where the focus is on performance experience over ranking.
For those who don’t know what NAPA Ensemble is, it is our Adult Pro-Am Theatre Company which was established to create work for local performers and NAPA graduates. We also often have opportunities for our youth to audition and perform with adult professionals. We have just come off our first musical ANNIE which was a massive success. Our next production is THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME which is aimed more at young adults/adults and recommended 13+. In the April school holidays we will have some holiday entertainment - ROALD DAHL’S - THE WITCHES. This one will be fun for the whole family and has the opportunity for 2 male child actors to audition. More audition information can be found here. We then finish our NAPA Ensemble season with the classic FOOTLOOSE.
From here we move into our NAPA Youth productions and will stage SWEENEY TODD, EYES TO THE FLOOR, APRIL AARDVARK, WINNIE THE POOH, CURTAINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and I LOVE YOU YOU’RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE.
We have also restructured our dance program and you will notice that we have some new classes on offer. Our Jazz/Broadway Tech class is proving very popular, and this class is highly recommended for any child who is enrolled in a Broadway production class (Eg Kids/Tweens). We have also added a new Boys dance class with Mr Sam Hindmarsh. This is the perfect class for our boys to learn in a safe and supportive environment, with a highly experienced teacher.
We currently have several classes at capacity and a few close to filling, so if there are any classes you haven’t registered for yet, get in quick!
There is so much on offer this year, and we know it can be hard to navigate so if you have any questions, please email our office manager Kimberley or pop into reception to see her after 3.45pm Monday-Thursday and from 9.00am on Saturdays.
QUICK REMINDERS
CHECK LOST PROPERTY - we still have items from last year and summer school
FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIALS (BUTTONS BELOW) FOR IMPORTANT TIME-SENSITIVE UPDATES
PERFORMANCE TEAM PARENTS - DON’T FORGET TO JOIN THE NAPA PERFORMANCE TEAM FACEBOOK GROUP
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
NEW UNIFORMS
This year we have some new uniform items, which will be available in addition to our current stock of Activated Industry uniforms and our current basics range. The Activated Industry uniforms will only be available until sold out, as we will be introducing new items to gradually phase these out. Unfortunately, the rising costs and long wait times have made these uniforms hard to manage. This year we are trialling some new, affordable items that can be worn across all classes (except ballet). Our ballet uniform will remain the same and can be found here.
GOOD LUCK ZELLI!
Don’t miss Zelli’s episode of Australian Idol airing Monday night on Channel 7! A proud NAPA College graduate, Zelli has already achieved incredible success at just 18 years of age. Even while working long hours on the set of Rock Island Mysteries, she managed to complete her training and perform in several NAPA productions last year. We’re excited to continue following Zelli on this exciting new journey!
fees and payments
For those who are not aware of how the tuition payments work at NAPA, here is a brief explanation:
Our fees are calculated for a years' tuition and then divided into ten (10) monthly payments from February to November. Around the 28th of the month Kimberley will send out your statements with the coming months tuition added to your account. Please note there will be additional fees added closer to eisteddfods, concerts and performances for costumes hire fees, media fees etc.
If you have registered for AutoPay then your tuition will be taken from your nominated account on the first of each month. All other accounts will be due for payment no later than the end of the first week of each month.
**THIS MONTH’S TUITION STATEMENTS WILL BE EMAILED BY FRIDAY 7th FEBRUARY ONCE WE HAVE WORKED OUT EVERYONE’S FEES FOR THE YEAR**
If you have any questions or wish to discuss payments going forward please don't hesitate to contact our office manager Kimberley - [email protected] or stop by reception to say hi!
WELL-BEING
NEW ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
NAPA is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students, staff, and parents, free from any form of intimidation, including physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual bullying. Our new anti-bullying policy reinforces our dedication to protecting everyone's rights and fostering a culture where unacceptable behaviour is addressed. Every member of our community has a role in preventing bullying by speaking up and reporting incidents. We encourage all parents and students to familiarise themselves with the new policy and work together to create a safer space for all.
MENTAL HEALTH AND CONSENT TRAINING
Our commitment to a supportive and inclusive arts community continues this year as our teachers undergo mental health first aid and consent training. These courses ensure our educators are equipped to both foster a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for and also equip our students with the necessary skills and training to navigate this industry as a performer with sensitivity and awareness.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
TORI WAIATA ASTON
Since graduating from NAPA in 2020, Tori Waiata Aston has been living the ultimate performer’s dream—bringing magic to life at Shanghai Disney Resort! As a professional performer, Tori has taken on multiple roles, dazzling audiences with her talent, energy, and passion for the stage.
Her journey from NAPA student to international performer is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Whether she’s enchanting guests in a stage production, leading a musical number, or embodying beloved Disney characters, Tori continues to inspire with her professionalism and vibrant stage presence.
We are incredibly proud of Tori and can’t wait to see where her career takes her next. She is proof that with passion, perseverance, and training, dreams really do come true!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MEET STEFFANIE GOWLAND
If you've ever taken a singing class at NAPA, chances are you've had the pleasure of working with Steffanie Gowland, one of our incredible vocal teachers! Steffanie’s love for performing started early—she first stepped on stage at just four years old and never looked back. With a strong foundation in classical voice through her AMEB exams, she now specialises in musical theatre and contemporary vocal styles, bringing a wealth of experience to her students.
With over 15 years of teaching experience across the Gold Coast, Steffanie joined the NAPA family in 2015 and has since played a key role in shaping young voices, including vocally directing musicals for our Broadway Kids and Broadway Bound classes. Beyond NAPA, she’s also a dedicated educator, currently teaching Year 12 music at Silkwood School in Robina.
Passionate, experienced, and always supportive, Steffanie is committed to helping students find their voice, build confidence, and develop their unique sound.
We’re so lucky to have her on the team!
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Warm Up & Stay Healthy – Why It Matters for Performers
A proper warm-up is essential for preventing injuries, enhancing performance, and preparing both the body and mind for the demands of dance, acting, or singing. Staying healthy ensures consistency, stamina, and longevity in a performer’s career.
1. Physical Warm-Up:
✔ Stretching & Mobility – Loosen up muscles to increase flexibility and prevent strains.
✔ Cardio & Activation – Light jogging, jumping jacks, or dynamic movements get the blood flowing.
✔ Discipline-Specific Drills – Dancers should do plies and footwork, actors should practice stage movement, and singers should work on posture and diaphragm control.
2. Vocal Warm-Up (For Actors & Singers):
✔ Breathing Exercises – Deep diaphragmatic breathing improves vocal control.
✔ Humming & Lip Trills – Gentle warm-ups to ease into vocalisation.
✔ Scales & Articulation Drills – Gradually increase vocal range and clarity in speech or singing.
3. Mental Preparation & Well-Being:
✔ Relaxation & Focus Techniques – Meditation, deep breathing, or visualisation help calm nerves.
✔ Positive Mindset – Confidence-building exercises can boost self-esteem and stage presence.
✔ Hydration & Nutrition – Drinking plenty of water and eating energy-sustaining foods support peak performance.
✔ Rest & Recovery – Proper sleep and self-care prevent burnout and maintain overall health.
By prioritising warm-ups and overall well-being, performers reduce the risk of injury, enhance their stamina, and bring their best energy to every performance!
