NAPA News - Week 1, Term 3, 2025
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to term 3! It’s going to be a big one. This term we have Sweeney Todd, Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Evolution Dance Comp, April Aardvark, our Performance Team Concert and Winnie the Pooh! Gold Coast Eisteddfod will be a mammoth effort this year which will see us entering not just dance groups, but drama groups and even a choir section! Lots of our students will also be entering solos and duos across all categories … I can’t wait to see everyone’s hard work come to life!
QUICK REMINDERS
LOST AND FOUND HAS NOW BEEN DONATED
COLD AND FLU SEASON IS STILL HERE - STAY WARM BEFORE AND AFTER CLASSES
DON’T FORGET TO LOG ABSENCES IN YOUR PARENT PORTAL
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
SAVE THE DATE — SUMMER SCHOOL IS BACK!
We are thrilled to announce that our Summer School production for 2026 is … CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!
We are so excited to bring NAPA Ensemble and NAPA Summer School together for another fabulous family favourite! Auditions for our adult and leading child cast will be advertised soon, so keep your eyes out for this.
Summer School dates: 17-22 JanUARY 2026
Performances: 22-25 JANUARY 2026
Auditions: TBC
SWEENEY TODD TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for Sweeney Todd are now on sale but get in quick as they are already nearly sold out! Please note this show has the use of simulated violence, fake blood, haze and mature themes. Our Extension students have worked extremely hard on this difficult production, and I’m sure audiences will be blown away by their work!
CONCESSION TICKETS VERIFICATION NOTICE
We’ve noticed a growing trend of patrons purchasing concession tickets who may not be eligible. To ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of our pricing, our front-of-house staff will now be verifying concession tickets at the door.
Please remember:
Concession tickets are reserved for seniors aged 60 and over.
Child tickets are for those aged 17 and under.
We carefully budget our ticket pricing to ensure we can continue delivering the high-quality productions our audiences expect. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain accessibility and sustainability for all.
If you have accidentally purchased tickets at the wrong price, please reach out to Kimberley for assistance with changing these over.
WEllbeing
Feel It to Heal It — Emotional Check-ins for Performers
As performers, we spend a lot of time embodying other characters’ emotions — joy, heartbreak, rage, wonder — but how often do we pause to check in with our own feelings? This week’s wellbeing focus is all about emotional self-awareness — learning to recognise what’s going on inside you so you can stay grounded, focused, and emotionally healthy on and off the stage.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Performing is emotionally demanding. When we bottle things up or push through without acknowledging our feelings, stress builds — and eventually, it can lead to burnout or anxiety.
Getting good at naming your own emotions helps you build emotional regulation skills (essential for stage and screen work), deeper empathy, and stronger personal boundaries.
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a “soft skill” — it’s a superpower in the arts.
YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK
Take 5 quiet minutes a day — after school, rehearsal, or before bed — to pause and ask yourself:
“What am I feeling right now?”
Don’t try to fix it. Don’t judge it. Just name it.
You might say:
“I feel excited, drained, and nervous.”
“I feel peaceful, proud, and a little lonely.”
“I feel frustrated, disappointed, and tired.”
That’s it. Just three words. The goal is to build awareness — not perfection.
Optional Tools
Keep a Voice Note Diary: Not a fan of writing? Record a quick check-in.
Create a Feelings Chart: Stick one on your wall or dressing room mirror.
Use Emojis in a Mood Tracker App: Visualising your week can help you spot patterns.
THE TAKEAWAY
You are more than your performances. Your feelings — even the messy ones — are valid, important, and worth listening to. Learning to “feel it to heal it” is not just self-care… it’s part of your craft.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
GRACIE THOMAS
Please join us in celebrating our Cherub of the Week – GRACIE!
Gracie is a truly outstanding NAPA cherub whose dedication and passion shine through in everything she does. Her work ethic is exceptional, and she approaches every rehearsal, class, and performance opportunity with energy, focus, and determination, including our holiday workshops!
Gracie consistently trains across all areas, demonstrating versatility and a strong commitment to developing her skills in Dance, Singing and Musical Theatre. She is not only a talented performer but also a supportive and inspiring presence within our studio. As a vital member of our Performance Teams, Gracie leads by example, bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork to every class she undertakes. Her positive attitude and unwavering drive make her an invaluable part of our NAPA community, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her as our Cherub of the Week.
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Rehearse the Moments Between the Lines
As performers, it's easy to focus on memorising lines — making sure every word is delivered perfectly. But true acting doesn’t live in the words alone — it lives in the space around them.
The pauses.
The thoughts.
The emotional shifts.
The reactions.
Don’t just learn your script — explore the moments between the lines.
These silent beats are where your character’s truth often lives.
When you take time to explore what your character is thinking and feeling in the quiet spaces, your performance becomes layered, honest, and powerful.
Why It Matters
Real people don’t speak non-stop. We pause. We process. We hesitate. We react.
Audiences connect more deeply when they can see the character thinking or changing in real time.
Directors and casting agents look for actors who can stay present and engaged when they’re not speaking. That’s the mark of a pro.
Some of the most unforgettable moments on stage or screen are completely silent — a glance, a shift in breath, a single look that says more than a paragraph ever could.
Try This Rehearsal Exercise:
Take a short scene you’re working on.
Rehearse it without speaking any of the lines. Just move through the beats silently.
Focus on:
Eye contact
Inner thoughts ("What am I thinking right now?")
Physical reactions and stillness
Emotional shifts ("How do I feel about what they just said?")
Then add the lines back in and notice how much more layered and grounded your performance feels.
Pro Tip
Actors often ask, “What should I be doing if I don’t have lines in this scene?”
Answer: Stay in the scene. Stay in character. React. Listen like it’s the first time.
The Takeaway
"Acting is reacting." The moments between the lines are what make a character feel alive. Don’t rush through them. Rehearse them. Honour them. That’s where your magic lives.
