NAPA News - Week 3, Term 1, 2025
KIM REYNOLDS
COMPANY DIRECTOR
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome back to Week 3. Everyone seems to be settling into their classes beautifully and the teachers are all giving me great feedback on how everyone is going. It’s been such a lovely vibe around the studio, and I’ve loved seeing how welcoming our current students have been of our new students. Well done cherubs!
All statements have now gone out for month 1, so please ensure you have checked yours over and made payment.
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. Please note that Kimberley should be your first point of contact for all enquiries, and she can forward any enquiries onto teachers where necessary.
QUICK REMINDERS
UNIFORMS - T-SHIRT ORDERS DUE. ANY ORDERS MADE AFTER TODAY WILL BE PROCESSED IN NEXT MONTHS ORDER. OTHER BASICS ON SALE UNTIL SOLD OUT
PARKING - PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE NOT PARKING IN OUR NEIGHBOURS LOTS OR BLOCKING DRIVEWAYS. ANY OFFENDING DRIVERS WILL BE TOWED AT OWNERS EXPENSE
BROADWAY CLASSES - SEE EMAILS FROM CLASS TEACHERS ABOUT UPCOMING AUDITIONS
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CAST ANNOUNCEMENT—SWEENEY TODD
Well done to our Broadway Extension class for their recent casting of SWEENEY TODD. This class is so full of talent that we could have cast the roles three times over! Congratulations to those who scored lead roles. You put in the hard work, and it showed on audition day. This is one of the most challenging musicals we’ve staged with this class, so we are extremely lucky that all members of the cast, whether in leads roles or ensemble, are extremely talented and passionate about their training. We can’t wait to see you all in this epic musical!
Congratulations Luan!
Congratulations to our NAPA College student Luan, who is currently performing to sold out audiences in FAME at Spotlight Theatre. You were an absolute standout on stage cherub, and we are so proud of you for all your hard work.
NEW ABSENTEEism PROCEDURE
We now have a new procedure for notifying us of your child’s absences. If you go into your parent portal and click on ATTENDANCE, you can then follow the prompts to advise which classes your child will miss on particular days. This will then automatically load in their roles, so teacher can see who is away and when.
WANTED—WITCHES (AGES 15+)
The NAPA Ensemble team are looking for ensemble members to play a variety of witches in the upcoming production of ROALD DAHL’S ‘THE WITCHES’ aged 15+.
JOIN THE FUN IN THE APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!
PRODUCTION DATES: 11-17 April 2025
WELL-BEING
MANAGING ILLNESS IN PERFORMING ARTS
Attendance is obviously very important when committing to Performing Arts training, however if your child is sick, we do recommend they stay home to avoid the spreading of germs.
When you're feeling sick and need to miss your classes, it's important to prioritise your health. Resting allows your body to focus on healing and fighting off the illness. Overexerting yourself can prolong your recovery time and even lead to worsening symptoms. Stay hydrated, eat nourishing foods, and get plenty of sleep to support your immune system. If you can, practice light stretches or breathing exercises at home, but avoid any strenuous activity until you're fully recovered. Once you're feeling better, ease back into classes gradually, allowing your body time to regain its strength and flexibility. Remember, taking the time to rest and recover will help you get back to your training stronger and healthier.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
ZEKE WHITECROSS
We’re catching up with the talented Zeke Whitecross, who trained at NAPA from 2018 to 2021 and has been making waves in the performing arts world ever since!
During his time at NAPA, Zeke immersed himself in Film and Television, Broadway (Musical Theatre), Tread the Boards (Plays), Performance Teams, and NAPA College—a well-rounded training ground that set the stage for his future success.
Since graduating, Zeke has landed the role of Berger in Hair and is currently honing his craft further, studying for a Diploma of Screen Performance at WAAPA.
Reflecting on his NAPA experience, Zeke shares:
"It set up everything for me—fundamentals, connections, consistency, and discipline. Now I’m taking everything I’ve learned and evolving these techniques with my training at WAAPA, then it’s only up from here!"
We can’t wait to see where Zeke’s journey takes him next! Keep shining, Zeke! 🌟🎬
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MEET SUZANNE LEWIS
NAPA COLLEGE COURSE COORDINATOR
CLASSES — JUNIOR PERFORMANCE TEAMS, BROADWAY KIDS, BROADWAY BOUND, JAZZ/BROADWAY TECHNIQUE, GRADE 7 BALLET (SHARED ROLE), NAPA COLLEGE DANCE, NAPA ENSEMBLE
We’re thrilled to introduce Suzanne, a passionate and experienced dance educator with an incredible background in Musical Theatre!
Suzanne’s journey in the performing arts started at just 16 when she trained at a prestigious Musical Theatre school in London. She later continued her studies at Reading Theatre Arts, earning her ISTD teaching qualifications in dance. Her professional career took her across the globe, performing as a dancer on cruise ships and in Cabaret. With a Certificate in Education from the University of Northampton and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Suzanne brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom. Specialising in ballet, tap, jazz, and Musical Theatre, Suzanne has choreographed for an impressive range of productions. She also ran her own successful dance academy in the UK, where she mentored students from ages 4 to 21.
For 23 years, Suzanne designed and led a highly successful two-year Musical Theatre course at a UK college, helping students earn nationally recognised qualifications. Many of her former students have gone on to exciting careers performing on cruise ships, television productions, and even in London’s iconic West End!
With a deep passion for teaching and a strong commitment to student well-being, Suzanne is an inspiring mentor who loves to see her students thrive. We’re so lucky to have her on our team!
Be sure to say hello when you see her around!
PERFORMANCE TIPS
DEALING WITH AUDITIONS: IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T GET THE PART
Auditions can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. As we head into audition season, it’s important to remember that not everyone can “get the part”. Whether it's for a play, a dance performance, or a sports team, everyone hopes to land the role or spot they've been dreaming about. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and you might not get the part. That’s okay! Here’s how to deal with those feelings and keep moving forward.
1. It's Normal to Feel Disappointed—First of all, it’s completely normal to feel sad, upset, or frustrated if you didn’t get the part. It's okay to take some time to process those emotions. Everyone feels disappointed at times, and it's part of learning and growing. Give yourself permission to feel those emotions, but don’t let them hold you back.
2. Focus on What You Learned—Every audition is a chance to learn something new. Maybe you discovered areas you need to practice more, or perhaps you felt proud of how you did, even if it wasn’t perfect. Think about what you can improve for next time and celebrate the effort you put into preparing. The more auditions you attend, the more confident and skilled you’ll become!
3. Know That You Are More Than Just One Audition—Getting the part isn’t the only measure of your talent or worth. You are so much more than any one audition. Keep in mind that casting decisions are based on many factors, like how you fit the role, timing, or the overall group dynamic—none of which reflect how talented you are! Sometimes, you might not get picked, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t amazing at what you do.
4. Use This as Motivation to Keep Practicing—If you didn’t get the role, think of it as a chance to improve even more. Maybe there’s a specific dance move or line delivery you could work on. Keep practicing, keep learning, and keep growing. The more you practice, the better you will get, and the next audition might be your time to shine!
5. Keep a Positive Attitude and Try Again—Remember, it’s okay to try again! Each audition is another opportunity to show what you can do. Stay positive and keep your head up. Every time you audition, you're getting closer to your goals, and with each experience, you’re learning something valuable that will help you in the future.
6. Be Proud of Yourself—Finally, remember to be proud of yourself for even trying. Auditioning takes courage, and not everyone is brave enough to put themselves out there. Whether you get the part or not, you’re gaining confidence, experience, and resilience—all of which are important traits to have as you continue to grow and pursue your dreams.
So, if you didn’t get the part this time, that’s okay! Keep working hard, stay positive, and remember: the best is yet to come
