NAPA News - Week 2, Term 3, 2025
FROM THE DIRECTOR
As our busy first week of Term 3 ends, I have been thinking about how far we have come at the studio. This also made me realise that so many of our new families don’t know the history of NAPA and what we are all about. Some of you have never met Miss Lynn Dyer, my partner in crime from the beginning. Lynn retired last year, along with her husband Laurie - our trusted handy-man, business manager and smiling face at reception for many years! You will still see them at shows if you’re lucky, and I know the kids love to see them in the audience. I know not everyone may have read our website but here is a little brief on our vision for NAPA. Where we came from and what we hope to achieve!
The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) was established in 2006 in response to the growing need for a production-based training institute on the Gold Coast of Australia. Since then, it has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious performing arts academies, offering elite training in Music Theatre, Stage and Film Acting, Singing, Acrobatics, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary and RAD Ballet.
Many of our alumni have gone on to study at renowned Performing Arts Universities: The Queensland Conservatorium of Music, WAAPA, NIDA, VCA, Elder Conservatorium and Pace University in New York City.
Current students and graduates have worked professionally in musicals ‘Wicked’, ‘Annie’, ‘MJ The Musical’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Footloose’, ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’, ‘Frozen’, ‘Six’, ‘Matilda’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Annie’, ‘The King and I’, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. We also have many students working in the Film & TV industry on productions such as Elvis, Swinging Safari, Danger Close, Spin, Superman & Lois, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Surfside Girls, Troppo and Rock Island Mysteries.
NAPA’s focus is on preparing our talented and dedicated students for real world experiences, by offering industry-based training in a supportive and nurturing environment.
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
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!
MEET FLYNN ANDERSON
Some of you may have already met Flynn, who has been filling in on the front desk while Kimberley has been in Melbourne with Dakota. Flynn is a NAPA graduate who attended the studio from the time he was just 4 years old. He has continued to be a “NAPA cherub” since graduating, performing in many NAPA Ensemble productions as an adult cherub including Annie, Be More Chill, Tarzan, Footloose and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Flynn has also covered many classes and will be taking over Boys Crew for a few weeks while Mr Sam is overseas. If you need anything when you are at the studio, Flynn is your in-person contact until Kimberley returns. You can still email Kimberley with any questions or concerns, as she is still working remote.
FEE REMINDER
A quick reminder for those who are still confused about how our fee structure works. Below is our fee policy as outlined in our 2025 Parent Handbook.
FEES
Fees are due on the 1st of each month and are taken by AutoPay on that day. Any unpaid fees must be paid for by the close of business on the first Friday of each month.
Statements will be issued on or about the 28th of each month. Please check your statement carefully and notify Kimberley at reception should there be any errors.
Tuition fees are calculated for each week of each term over the year, then divided into 10. Payment is therefore over 10 months from February – November. Please note that holidays are not included in this calculation as there is no charge for holidays.
Make-up lessons are only offered to students whose classes are cancelled. We do not refund lessons for students who miss classes for personal reasons such as school events, family holidays, illness etc
If your child is in multiple classes they may end up missing classes due to extended rehearsals in another class. There is no reimbursement offered the class missed, as we do not charge for extended rehearsals.
Kimberley Janssen [email protected] are your point of contact for discussion of fees and fee payment. She is also responsible for enrolment.
You can pay by cash, direct deposit, credit card or EFT. However, the preferred method of payment is AutoPay. It is your responsibility to make sure that your card details are correct and up to date and that there is enough money in your account to cover the fees each month. Should you not choose to register for AutoPay please be aware that tuition fees MUST be paid on time. Please contact Kimberley to discuss other arrangements.
When using direct deposit please ensure you have the correct account:
Heritage Bank
BSB: 638-060
ACC: 14150492
Please note if tuition falls into arrears by more than one month, students will not be permitted to attend class until fees are paid. We have had to take a hard line on this as our past soft approach has been frequently taken advantage of.
Registration Fee – At the start of each year a $40 registration fee will be charged for each student. This fee covers administration costs and basic resources.
Media Fee – a fee of $35 will be charged to all students in production classes in the term prior to their performance. This fee provides you with a video and photographs of the production.
Costume fees – production class costume hire is $15 - $25. The performance team costume hire is $15 - $25 per use. Performance Team costumes may also be purchased. The amount charged within these ranges depends on the type of costume being hired. Dance costumes may be between $60-$150 dependant on the supplier.
Credit Card / PayPal Charges – In the past we have always tried to absorb the charges placed on us by credit card companies and PayPal has been a free service. However, PayPal has started charging us for each transaction as do the credit card companies. Therefore, due to the high cost of this we need to apply a surcharge for each transaction using either credit card or PayPal of 2.5% to help cover this expense.
Wellbeing
Redefining Success in the Performing Arts
In the performing arts industry, success is often portrayed as landing the lead role, booking a big job, getting representation, or going viral. And while these are incredible milestones, they’re not the only ways to measure success — and they may not be the right benchmarks for you.
The truth is, success in this industry is deeply personal and can look completely different from one artist to the next. For some, success might be performing in front of an audience for the first time after battling stage fright. For others, it’s finally nailing that tricky combination in class, creating original work, finding a community of supportive creatives, or maintaining a healthy balance between work and life.
Because the industry is constantly evolving and filled with ups and downs, tying your self-worth to external validation — auditions, cast lists, social media engagement — can leave you feeling defeated and burnt out. That’s why it’s so important to define success on your own terms.
Ask yourself:
What brings me the most joy in my creative process?
What progress have I made that I’m proud of, even if no one else sees it?
What kind of artist (and person) do I want to become?
By focusing on your personal goals, values, and growth, you allow yourself to find fulfillment in the journey, not just the destination. This mindset shift is powerful — it keeps you grounded, resilient, and aligned with your passion, even when the industry gets tough.
Remember: success is not a fixed point. It’s a moving, evolving reflection of your dreams, your growth, and your dedication. Own your version of it — and let that be enough. 💫
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
FRANKIE NEALE
Please join us in celebrating our Cherub of the Week – FRANKIE!
Frankie has been a valued member of our Broadway Tweens class since 2023. If you ask any of her teachers, they'll tell you she’s hardworking, passionate, and kind.
This week, when we asked for nominations, Miss Mandy was quick to share how impressed she was with Frankie’s dedication. After returning from holidays, Frankie came back fully prepared for The Little Mermaid - she knew all the choreography, blocking, harmonies, and lyrics. She didn’t miss a beat!
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Frankie myself, and she brings that same energy and positivity to every rehearsal. During our Summer School rehearsals for Annie, she showed up each day with a big smile and a strong work ethic.
Polite, respectful, and always giving her best - Frankie, you are truly deserving of this week's CHERUB OF THE WEEK!
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Be the Artist Who Reaches Back
In the performing arts world, we’re often told to keep pushing forward — to train harder, chase the next role, perfect the next routine, and keep our eyes firmly on our goals. And while that drive is a big part of becoming a successful performer, it’s just as important to take moments to slow down, look around, and look back.
Behind you is the next generation — young, eager, wide-eyed performers who are watching, learning, and dreaming. They’re in the room with you, observing how you warm up, how you treat your teachers and classmates, how you handle pressure, and how you bounce back from a mistake. Whether you realise it or not, you are someone’s example of what a great artist looks like.
So here’s the challenge: don’t just run ahead with your eyes fixed on your own finish line. Be the kind of artist who reaches back to lift others with you.
Take a moment to help someone who’s struggling with the choreography. Offer encouragement to a younger performer who looks nervous before going on stage. Celebrate someone else’s progress, even if it’s quiet or unseen. Share your own story — the hard parts, not just the highlights — because that’s what makes the path feel possible for someone else.
When you were younger, maybe you had someone who did this for you — who made you feel seen, included, and capable. Or maybe you didn’t, and you know how valuable that support would have been. Either way, you now have the power to be that person for someone else.
This mindset doesn't just build better performers — it builds better humans. It creates safe, supportive creative spaces where everyone can grow. It reminds us that the arts aren’t a race, but a shared journey.
Your success doesn’t lose value by making room for others — in fact, it becomes more meaningful. So keep striving, keep showing up, and keep growing — but never be too busy or too focused to look around and offer a hand to someone else on their way up.
Legacy isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about the impact you leave behind. And often, the greatest performers are remembered not just for what they did on stage, but for how they made others feel off it. 💫