NAPA News - Week 1, Term 1, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to 2026 and another exciting chapter at NAPA!
To all our returning families, welcome back! And to those joining us for the first time, we are so glad you are here. Each new year brings fresh energy, new goals, and wonderful opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and shine, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of our biggest yet.
This year we are proud to be staging three NAPA Ensemble productions, four Youth Musicals, two Youth Plays, three Dance Concerts, and a special Holiday Production. Our students will also take to the stage beyond NAPA, attending two dance competitions and representing us in the Drama and Vocal sections at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. And somewhere amongst the rehearsals, performances, and busy studio days, we will come together to celebrate a very special milestone … NAPA’s 20th Birthday.
It promises to be a year full of creativity, hard work, community spirit, and unforgettable moments for our students, families, and staff. Thank you for being part of the NAPA journey. We can’t wait to share an incredible year with you all.
QUICK REMINDERS
Lost property - at the end of last year we donated 4 full bags of clothing, shoes and drink bottles to the local op shop. Please be sure to check this regularly throughout the year.
Uniforms - t-shirts are currently for sale and we will soon have more exciting uniform items available. First round t-shirt orders close on February 13 and we will do another round shortly after that.
Jewellery - a quick reminder that excessive jewellery is not to be worn to any NAPA classes and that any earrings worn in dance class should be small studs or sleepers only. No other jewellery should be worn in dance classes, as this creates a safety hazard for dancers and their peers. PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME to avoid losing anything precious.
Footwear - please note that there will be strict guidelines around footwear at NAPA this year. This is for the safety of our young dancers - Jazz, Combo, Technique and Performance Team students must wear jazz shoes - Hip Hop, Tread the Boards and Broadway students must wear sneakers or jazz shoes - Ballet students must wear ballet shoes and Tap students must wear tap shoes. The only class where bare feet will be allowed is lyrical/contemporary, and we recommend students wear black dance or NAPA socks to these classes. Students will not be able to participate in class if they do not have the appropriate footwear.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CONGRATULATIONS DAKOTA AND AJ!
ANNIE has officially ended it’s Australian tour and we are so proud of our student Aneka who performed in the Brisbane season and Dakota who performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - the only child performer to be invited to all 3 cities! Miss Amy and myself were lucky enough to catch AJ is her final show as Friday, and were so proud of her brilliant performance. We then backed it up with the evening performance to see Dakota in her final show as Annie after her massive run. Dakota, you absolutely shone up there on stage but we are even more proud to hear about your professionalism and work ethic behind the scenes. We are not surprised, as in between contracts Dakota was straight back to the studio to help out wherever she could. She assisted with classes, painted sets and even helped clean up our backstage area with some of our wonderful Summer School leads Lois and Kaiya. The CHERUB spirit is well and truely alive in you all!
FROM THE P&F
Parents + Friends, we need you!
The P+F team is gearing up for an exciting year ahead and we’d love to know how you might like to be involved, from helping at events and productions to sharing skills or supporting fundraising. There’s no obligation at all; this just helps us reach out to the right people at the right time (and save the Facebook scramble).
STAFF RIGHT TO DISCONNECT
In 2026, I remain strongly committed to protecting our staff’s right to disconnect. One of the most helpful ways you can support this is by following our clear communication procedures.
Our only official form of communication is email. Please do not contact staff via social media. These platforms are their personal space, and it is important they are able to switch off from work when they are not on duty. Email allows staff to respond during their working hours without the pressure of needing to be constantly available.
We understand that in today’s world we are used to quick replies and instant clarification, but we kindly ask for your patience. Many of our staff balance multiple jobs and dedicate specific administrative times to NAPA communication, so responses may not always be immediate.
I would also like to gently remind families that if you happen to see our wonderful Office Manager, Kimberley, at her other workplace, please do not approach her there with NAPA matters. As amazing and helpful as she is, when she is at her other job she needs to focus on that role and cannot be in “NAPA mode.”
If you have an urgent matter to discuss, please call Kimberley Monday-Thursday from 3.45-6.45pm or Saturday from 9.00am-1.00pm on 55206 000.
Thank you for respecting our staff’s time, wellbeing, and boundaries. Supporting their ability to disconnect helps ensure they can bring their very best energy, care, and creativity to our students.
SUMMER SCHOOL SUCCESS!
Wow! What a hit this year’s Summer School was. We are soon going to need a bigger stage, as this year we had over 70 children join our adult cast for an amazing week of learning, performance and fun. We were blown away by how much the kids learned in such a short time, and what started as an impossible feat soon turned into a magical show! We are currently planning next year’s production, so stay tuned for announcements around this!
Wellbeing
Finding Your Tribe
One of the most beautiful things about the performing arts is that no one does it alone. Whether you step into your first class feeling excited, nervous, or somewhere in between, you quickly discover something special … you are surrounded by people who get you. People who love music, movement, storytelling, creativity, and imagination just as much as you do. This is where many of our students begin to find their tribe.
Friendships formed in the performing arts are often different from those made elsewhere. They grow through shared experiences, rehearsing the same scene over and over, laughing during warm-ups, supporting each other through nerves backstage, and celebrating together when the curtain falls. These moments build trust, connection, and a sense of belonging that is incredibly powerful, especially for young people discovering who they are.
Performing arts spaces are unique because everyone brings something different. Some students are bold and expressive, others are quiet observers, some lead, some support … and all are valued. When young performers work together toward a shared goal, they learn empathy, teamwork, encouragement, and how to lift each other up. It is often in these studios and rehearsal rooms that students realise, “These are my people.”
Finding your tribe doesn’t always happen instantly. Sometimes it begins with a small conversation, a shared laugh, or simply recognising a familiar face each week. Over time, those small moments grow into real friendships and a strong sense of community. For many students, NAPA becomes more than just a place to train, it becomes a place where they feel understood, accepted, and at home.
As we move through 2026, we encourage all of our students to be open, kind, and supportive of one another. Say hello to someone new, cheer for your classmates, celebrate each other’s wins, and remember that everyone is on their own journey. The stage may be where stories are told, but the friendships built along the way are often the most meaningful story of all.
Because when you find your tribe, you don’t just grow as a performer … you grow as a person. And that is where the real magic happens. ✨
Here are some of our Broadway Tweens at the movies seeing Wicked last year. Beautiful friendships formed at the studio!
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, KATANA!
This week we are celebrating Katana, one of our First Year College students. Although she is new to the studio, Katana has already shown true NAPA spirit.
When she noticed a friend feeling overwhelmed and upset, Katana immediately stepped in, offering comfort, support, and reassurance. She also made sure her teachers were aware of the situation, all while helping her friend feel safe and calm. This quiet act of kindness and awareness reflects the very best of our community.
These are the friendships we value so deeply at NAPA, and we are incredibly proud of you, Katana, for showing such compassion and care.
Congratulations, Katana … we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
The Audition Journey
Auditions are a big part of life in the performing arts. They can be exciting, nerve-wracking, motivating, and sometimes a little daunting … often all at once. But auditions are not just about landing a role. They are about growth, courage, preparation, and learning more about yourself as a performer.
Be Prepared
Preparation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Know your material, understand the character, practise your skills, and arrive ready … both physically and mentally. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence allows your true self to shine through. Remember, the audition panel isn’t looking for perfection; they are looking for performers who are committed, prepared, and open to direction.
Choose Wisely — Strength and Stretch
When selecting audition material or roles of interest, aim for a balance. Choose something that plays to your strengths so you can perform with confidence, but also consider roles that challenge you and help you grow. The performing arts are about stretching beyond what feels comfortable … this is where real development happens.
When You Don’t Get the Role
Not getting the role you hoped for is never easy, but it is a normal and important part of the journey. Every performer, even the most successful, has faced disappointment. Casting decisions are based on many factors beyond talent alone: balance of the cast, character fit, age, vocal type, physicality, and the needs of the production as a whole.
If you don’t get the role you wanted, allow yourself to feel disappointed … that’s human … but don’t let it define you. Ask yourself:
What did I learn from this audition?
What can I improve next time?
How can I keep growing?
Seek feedback if appropriate, stay involved, and keep showing up. Some of the strongest performers are those who didn’t give up when things didn’t go their way.
When You Do Succeed
Success is exciting and worth celebrating … but humility matters. Be proud of your achievement while remembering that theatre is a team effort. Support your castmates, be gracious, work hard, and stay open to learning. The best performers are not only talented, but also kind, respectful, and collaborative.
The Bigger Picture
Every audition, whether it leads to a role or not, is a step forward. Each one builds resilience, confidence, experience, and courage. Growth in the performing arts is not measured by how many roles you get, but by how you learn, adapt, and continue to show up.
So take a deep breath, prepare well, give it your best, and step into the room ready to share your work. Whatever the outcome, you are moving forward — and that is something to be proud of. ✨
