NAPA News - Week 7, Term 1, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Week 7 is underway! Apologies for the delayed newsletter this week … I’ve been unwell but am now back on deck and catching up.
The biggest update is regarding our end-of-year concert. Unfortunately, The Star have needed to move our original date. While this is far from ideal, it is sometimes the reality when working with large venues. Rather than losing our November booking altogether, I have agreed to a new date on the condition that it will not be changed again.
Our concert will now take place on December 4th at 7pm. We are currently exploring the option of rehearsing all performance teams, seniors, and leads during the day, with recreational classes joining us from late afternoon. We hope this structure will help the day run as smoothly as possible, and further details will be shared with families later in the year.
On a positive note, this change does not affect Spongebob, and those dates will remain on our most recent confirmed dates to avoid any additional disruption for our families.
Thank you, as always, for your understanding and flexibility, we truly appreciate your support.
QUICK REMINDERS
Lost property - Please be sure to check this regularly throughout the year.
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
UNIFORM CUT-OFF DATE
Our first round of new uniforms are here and ready to be ordered. We recommend popping into reception and trying on, as some of the sizes are quite varied. We are still awaiting our new boys jackets, senior wide leg track-pants and senior unitards, which will hopefully be here soon. To order simply visit your parent portal and click on “Store”.
Orders will be closed as of Saturday 28th March.
CONGRATULATIONS BROADWAY KIDS STUDENTS
Congratulations to our Broadway Kids! Our Broadway Kids will perform The Jungle Book in September and we can’t wait to see our little performers shine! Miss Laura, Miss Steffi and Miss Jazzy were so impressed with everyone at auditions and we are all so proud of everyone for giving it a go. Well done cherubs!
MISS SUZANNE
As many of you may be aware, our wonderful Miss Sues has been away over the past few weeks, having travelled to the UK to spend time with her mum. Sadly, while she was there, her mum passed away.
Miss Sues will remain overseas for a little while longer to be with her family and is expected to return to us in Term 2. During this time, we hold her close in our thoughts.
Miss Sues, we are sending you all our love and strength. We are thinking of you, standing with you, and are here for you always. We look forward to welcoming you back when you are ready. Your NAPA family loves you.
GRADUATE SUCCESS - A NOTE FROM IZZY
We love to see what our graduate students have been up to since leaving the studio. I reached out to our 2024 NAPA College graduate, Isabelle Corben-Brown, to see if she could up date us on her time in Sydney at ED5, where she is currently continuing her training. Her reply made me smile, just as Izzy always did! I’m so proud of her for continuing to strive for her goals and for obviously bringing her same work ethic and positive spirit to her training in Sydney that she did at NAPA.
Keep working hard cherub! We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.
AUDITIONS - NAPA ENSEMBLE
Auditions for our next NAPA Ensemble production JAGGED LITTLE PILL will be held on Saturday April 18.
Jagged Little Pill is a jukebox musical inspired by the 1995 album of the same name by Alanis Morissette and deals with pain, healing, and empowerment.
Centred on the Healys, a Connecticut family whose seemingly perfect suburban life unravels due to repressed trauma, addiction, sexual assault, and sexuality.
Casting will be strictly 18+
Audition material will be live on our website tomorrow evening.
Wellbeing
WELLBEING: BATTLING BURNOUT AS A PERFORMER
In the world of performing arts, passion is our driving force. It’s what gets us into the studio, onto the stage, and pushing for growth every single week. But that same passion can sometimes blur the line between dedication and exhaustion … and before we know it, burnout can quietly creep in.
Burnout doesn’t always look like stopping. In fact, for performers, it often looks like the opposite … doing more, pushing harder, and feeling like you can’t slow down. But true progress doesn’t come from running on empty.
As we head towards the end of term and look ahead to upcoming holidays, it’s important to remember that rest is not a setback - it’s part of the training. Giving your body and mind time to recover allows you to return stronger, more focused, and more inspired. Whether that means taking a full break, attending fewer workshops or competitions, or simply allowing yourself a slower pace, recovery is essential for longevity in this industry.
It’s also a good time for families and students to reflect on workload. More training does not always equal more progress. When schedules become overloaded with “extras”, it can lead to fatigue, loss of motivation, and even injury. Finding the right balance, where students feel challenged but still energised is key. Doing too many things can sometimes mean we aren’t giving our all to the things that are most important. We always encourage open communication with our staff if you’re unsure whether your current class load is the right fit, if open workshops will be beneficial or if outside performances will enhance your child’s growth as a performer.
For our students, remember: you don’t have to do everything to be successful. Growth comes from quality, consistency, and a genuine love of the craft … not from stretching yourself too thin.
And for our wider community, let’s continue to support a culture where rest is respected, balance is encouraged, and wellbeing comes first. A healthy, happy creative will always shine brighter than a burnt out one.
Take care of yourselves as we move through these final weeks … and give yourself permission to pause when you need it… and I will try to take my own advice!
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, LUMIE!
This week we are celebrating Lumie! Lumie is one of our fabulous Minis and this is her second year as a NAPA cherub.
Miss Alana has nominate Lumie this week, as she has been so helpful in class… assisting Miss Alana with keeping the room tidy and safe, working hard on her dancing, and lighting up the room with her infectious energy!
Lumie loves dancing but she also loves singing and acting! She performed in our 2025 production of The Witches and she also attends acting duo lessons with her Mini buddy Felix. The pair won 1st place at GCE in 2025 and we can’t wait to see what they get up to at this years performance!
Congratulations, LUMIE … we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
So You Didn’t Get the Part… Now What?
Let’s be honest … not getting the role you had your heart set on can be tough. Whether it’s disappointment, frustration, or confusion, those feelings are completely valid. In the performing arts, rejection is something even the most successful performers face time and time again.
But here’s the important part: what you do next matters more than the result itself.
Every role in a production has value. Whether you’ve been cast in the ensemble, a smaller featured role, or a character you didn’t expect, this is your opportunity to grow as a performer. Some of the most memorable moments on stage don’t come from the lead, they come from committed, engaged performers who bring energy and intention to every second they are on stage.
If you’ve been cast in the ensemble, embrace it. Ensemble performers are the backbone of any show. They create the world, drive the energy, and support every major moment. Directors notice performers who are reliable, versatile, and fully invested … and those are often the performers who are trusted with bigger opportunities in the future.
If your role feels small, challenge yourself to make it meaningful. Develop your character, stay present, and treat every entrance as important. There is no such thing as a “throwaway” moment on stage … only missed opportunities.
And if you were cast in a role you didn’t expect, lean into it. Growth often comes from being pushed outside your comfort zone. This could be your chance to discover new strengths, expand your range, and surprise yourself.
Most importantly, remember that casting decisions are about the overall puzzle of a show, not a reflection of your worth or potential. Your time will come, and every rehearsal, every role, and every performance is a step toward that.
So take a breath, reset your focus, and commit fully to the role you do have.
Because the performers who stand out aren’t always the ones with the biggest roles … they’re the ones who make the most of every opportunity.
