NAPA News - Week 7, Term 2, 2025
FROM THE DIRECTOR
I cannot believe how quickly this year is flying by. June already! With Footloose closing this weekend we now shift our focus to our youth productions. First up is Eyes to the Floor, presented by our Senior Tread the Boards class, followed closely by Sweeney Todd, our Broadway Extension class production. Both of these productions are performed by our seniors, so they have a busy few months ahead!
QUICK REMINDERS
LOST AND FOUND IS OVERFLOWING AGAIN — PLEASE CHECK!
T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED — SEE KIMBERLEY AT RECEPTION
BAGS AND BELONGINGS — REMINDER THAT THESE ARE TO BE KEPT ON THE BAG RACKS - PLEASE DISCOURAGE YOUR CHERUB FROM LEAVING THEIR BELONGINGS AND BAGS AROUND THE CANTEEN TABLES OR OUTDOOR TABLES AS THESE ARE FOR EVERYONE TO SHARE
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
DANCE CONCERT 2025
We are so excited to announce our Dance Concert theme for 2025 is… TINK!
Tinker Bell is born from the first laugh of a baby and is brought by the winds to Pixie Hollow. Throughout her journey she learns the importance of embracing her personal talent and grows to love who she is.
Roles for our dance concert will be cast based on students’ classwork, reinforcing our belief that “every class is an audition”. Roles will be announced in next week’s newsletter, but for now we introduce Lalita Zielinski as Tink. Lalita is in her final year of NAPA College and has been at NAPA for 10 years. We are so excited to see her in this role.
Compulsory rehearsal week: Monday 17 — Thursday, 20 November
Compulsory rehearsal at HOTA: Monday, November 24
Performance: Tuesday, November 25
EYES TO THE FLOOR — SENIOR TREAD THE BOARDS
Eyes to the Floor tickets are now on sale. Please note this production is recommended for mature audiences 13+
From the Director
Theatre can be lots of things – sometimes it brings us joy and an escape into another world – other times it can tell us stories of the human experience – and challenge us with stories that are not easy to hear. Verbatim Theatre is a powerful form of Contemporary Australian Theatre that is based on lived experience and often told in the words of those who were there.
Eyes to the Floor by Alana Valentine tells the story of the Hay Institute for Girls in NSW told by women who survived it. Supported by archival footage and images of Hay and its inmates, our Senior Tread the Boards class are proud to tell these stories of survival and strength in the face of Institutional abuse.
About Hay Institute for Girls
The Hay Institution for Girls was opened in the old Hay Gaol in 1961. It was annexe of Parramatta Girls Training School and held 12 girls aged 15 to 18 who had committed offences, including rioting to protest their treatment, while they were in Parramatta.
Discipline at Hay was brutal, with girls’ every movement, action and word controlled and directed by officers. The daily routine was designed to humiliate and control. All communication occurred via a reporting procedure, where girls remained silent, standing six feet apart, with ‘eyes to the floor’. Girls had no privacy and did not receive visitors, schooling or mail.
The Hay Institution for Girls became the subject of widespread community condemnation and closed in 1974.
Source: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/entity/institution-for-girls-hay/
Mr sam’s holiday workshop
DIFFERENT STYLES SAME FUN
After a SOLD OUT first workshop, Mr Sam’s back for more!
🗓️ Thursday, 10 July | 10 AM – 2 PM
Join us for a jam-packed day of Acro, Technique, Hip Hop & Musical Theatre 🎭💃🕺🤸♀️
Only $55 – includes a lunch break + 4 hours of dance fun in a high-energy, supportive space!
🎟️ Only 12 spots – bookings essential!
Get in quick before this one sells out too!
Mr Sam’s email - [email protected]
WEllbeing
Staying Grounded: The Importance of Discernment and Self-Worth in the Performing Arts
It’s natural to look up to mentors, teachers, industry professionals, or talented peers—but it’s important to be cautious about idolising them. Putting others on a pedestal can blur the line between healthy admiration and idealisation. This often leads to unrealistic expectations, disappointment, or feelings of inadequacy when their flaws or limitations inevitably appear. No matter how successful someone is, they are still human—with their own struggles, insecurities, and mistakes.
Idolisation can also make it difficult to discover your own voice and identity. You may feel pressured to follow someone else’s path instead of cultivating your own unique strengths. In the competitive and creative world of the performing arts, staying true to yourself is key. Real growth comes not from imitation, but from becoming the most authentic version of who you are.
It’s also essential to recognise that no single mentor or teacher knows everything about the industry, and there is no one-size-fits-all path to success. The performing arts world is vast, ever-evolving, and filled with diverse opportunities. Maintaining a balanced perspective and actively seeking a broad, well-rounded education will help you build a flexible and informed foundation. Engaging with a variety of mentors and training environments provides fresh insights, sharpens your thinking, and builds resilience.
For parents, being wise and discerning is just as important. While guidance and mentorship can be incredibly valuable, no teacher or professional should be viewed as infallible. Accepting everything they say—or the promises they make, especially if they claim they alone can “make” your child a star—can create an unhealthy dynamic or even open the door to exploitation. Recent incidents across the industry—locally, interstate, and internationally—are a sobering reminder of the importance of staying vigilant. Trust your instincts, remain actively engaged in your child’s experiences, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns if something feels off. Be alert to red flags such as inappropriate behaviour, favouritism, manipulation, or undue pressure. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and personal development must always come first. A healthy learning environment is grounded in respect, clear boundaries, and genuine encouragement—and should always leave your child feeling safe, supported, and valued.
So instead of idolising, choose to be inspired. Learn from others’ journeys, but keep your perspective grounded. Celebrate your own progress, however small, and remember that your path is valid, meaningful, and uniquely yours. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who nurture your growth, not just your talent. In this industry, confidence, resilience, and self-belief are just as vital as skill.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MATT PEARSON
SINGING SPECIALIST
PRIVATE LESSONS
We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Matt Pearson, a multi-award-winning Vocal and Music Director whose passion, precision, and powerful mentorship have left an indelible mark on the performing arts community. With accolades including Best Vocal Director for Hairspray (2012) and Sweeney Todd (2014), and Best Music Director for Jersey Boys (2021), Matt’s excellence is widely recognised and celebrated across the industry.
A highly accomplished Conductor, Music Director, and Woodwind specialist, Matt has taught across a range of schools and institutions and served as Head of Youth Theatre at The Spotlight Theatrical Company from 2013 to 2021. Many of his former students have gone on to pursue tertiary training and professional careers in the entertainment industry—testament to his impact as both an educator and mentor.
Matt’s performance career has taken him across the globe as Principal Baritone Saxophonist with the QLD Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra, with standout appearances at the World Saxophone Congress in Scotland, the Royal College of London, and the International Seminar of Music Education in Greece.
As a sought-after musical leader, Matt has worked with esteemed ensembles including the Tweed PCYC Concert Band, Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, and Brisbane Chorale. His directing highlights include the Australian premieres of Curtains: The Musical Comedy Whodunnit and Not the Messiah (He’s a Very Naughty Boy), as well as multiple productions of 13! A New Musical—a show he has brought to life with consistent energy and heart.
In 2022, Matt founded SONYQ EDGE Performing Arts to meet the growing demand for high-quality, comprehensive performing arts training. Under his leadership, the company launched its inaugural production of Rock of Ages: High School Edition, and student participation in the Australian Music Theatre Festival in Tasmania is now a cornerstone of the annual calendar.
Matt brings not only musical brilliance but an unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers—continually raising the bar for music education and inspiring excellence at every turn.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
SAMANTHA DILENA
YEARS AT NAPA: 2013—2019
Samantha trained extensively at NAPA across Musical Theatre (Broadway), Acting (Tread the Boards), Dance, Film & Television, and was a proud member of multiple Performance Teams. Her years at NAPA laid a solid foundation for her versatility and professionalism across multiple performance disciplines.
Career Highlights:
Since graduating, Samantha has carved out a bold and inspiring path in the arts. She is the writer, director, and lead actor of Piss Girls, premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024—a production that completely sold out. She also wrote and directed the short film Little Blue, and worked behind the scenes on London’s West End production of The Devil Wears Prada as part of the technical crew.
Reflection on NAPA Training:
“At NAPA, excellence through work ethic is ingrained into your professional training. Miss Kim, Miss Greta, Miss Kristine, and Miss Holly all helped prepare me for the professional world in London by believing in my abilities and constantly challenging me to grow. NAPA was my second home—from the incredible people to the inspiring spaces—and I cherish those early days so fondly. The foundation of my training was created at NAPA.”
Samantha’s creativity, ambition, and work ethic continue to shine on international stages. We’re so proud to celebrate her journey and can’t wait to see where her passion leads next!
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Fuel Your Instrument with Respect and Balance
In the performing arts, your body is more than just your physical presence—it's your instrument. Whether you're dancing, acting, singing, or doing all three, your body’s health, energy, and resilience are essential to your success. One of the most powerful ways to care for that instrument is through the way you fuel it: with food.
It’s important to develop a healthy and respectful relationship with food—seeing it not as something to fear or control, but as vital nourishment that supports your performance, recovery, and mental focus. Food gives you the strength to power through long rehearsals, the stamina to stay focused on stage, and the energy to bring your creativity to life. When you eat well, you perform well.
Unfortunately, the pressure to look a certain way in the performing arts can sometimes lead to unhealthy habits or negative body image. But remember: being strong, energised, and confident is far more important than meeting an unrealistic or narrow standard of appearance. There is no single “performer’s body”—great performers come in all shapes and sizes.
Focus on balance, variety, and listening to your body. Avoid restrictive eating or skipping meals in the name of discipline—these habits don’t support long-term health or performance. Instead, aim to nourish yourself with foods that make you feel good, both physically and emotionally. Hydrate regularly, fuel up before rehearsals, and make time for rest and recovery.
If you ever find yourself feeling anxious about food or your body, talk to someone you trust—whether that’s a parent, teacher, nutritionist, or counsellor. You're not alone, and support is available.
Respecting your body means honouring its needs, treating it with kindness, and trusting that when you take care of it, it will support you in return. Performing is a full-body experience—so give your body the fuel, rest, and self-love it deserves.
