NAPA News - Week 5, Term 2, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Week 5 is here which marks our term 2 halfway mark! You may notice it is a little busier at the studio in the evenings as our adult theatre company has begun rehearsals for Jagged Little Pill. This will be a fun one for the parents to come and see with a soundtrack by Alanis Morissette. Our cast will be announced soon and tickets will go on sale at the same time, so keep your eyes on our socials!
This term we have our first youth production with ‘Antigone’ hitting the stage at the end of June. Tickets for this production will go on sale next week.
Have a wonderful week!
QUICK REMINDERS
please read!
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
PERFORMANCE TEAMS WORKING HARD!
It won’t be long until our Performance Teams attend their first competition for 2026. But at the end of the day, this is what it’s all about… the hard work in class, learning new skills, growth, team work, and hitting personal goals. Competitions are not simply about trophies or results … they are opportunities for students to gain valuable stage time, learn how to perform under pressure, receive industry feedback, build confidence and continue developing as performers. Every time our students step on stage, they are learning resilience, professionalism and teamwork. Watching them challenge themselves, support one another and grow in both skill and mindset is always something to be incredibly proud of.
UNIFORMS HAVE ARRIVED
Uniform orders have arrived and Kimberley will be sorting them ready for pick up next week! A reminder that orders for our new designs are now closed, though we do have minimal extra stock .
We do however have orders open for t-shirts, winter puffer vests, puffer jackets and jumpers. You can order these through the website. For any questions please email Kimberley - [email protected]
PRIVATES WITH MR JORDAN!
Wellbeing
REMEMBERING YOUR “WHY”
In the performing arts industry, talent is important, but mindset is what carries performers through the hard days. Every dancer, singer, actor and musician will face moments where they feel tired, frustrated, overlooked or unsure of themselves. In those moments, it becomes incredibly important to reconnect with one simple question: Why am I here?
Your “why” is your reason for showing up each week. It is the thing that motivates you when classes feel challenging, when corrections feel overwhelming, or when progress feels slow. For some students, their why is a dream career on stage or screen. For others, it is the joy of performing, the friendships they have built, the confidence they gain through training, or simply the love they feel when they walk into the studio.
The truth is, goals are important, but purpose is powerful.
As performers, it can be easy to become caught up in expectations. We compare ourselves to others, focus on perfection, or feel disappointed when things do not happen as quickly as we hoped. But growth in the arts is rarely instant. Progress takes consistency, resilience and patience. Some of the strongest performers are not necessarily the most naturally gifted, they are the ones who continue showing up with determination, even when things are hard.
Perspective matters.
Every correction from a teacher is an opportunity to improve. Every setback is a chance to learn resilience. Every rehearsal, class and performance is helping shape not only your skills, but also your character. When you remember your “why,” those difficult moments begin to feel purposeful instead of personal.
This week, we encourage all students to take a moment to reflect:
Why did you start performing?
What do you love most about it?
What are your goals?
What kind of performer … and person … do you want to become?
When your mindset is grounded in purpose rather than pressure, you begin to enjoy the journey more. You stop focusing only on outcomes and start appreciating the growth that happens along the way.
At NAPA, we want our students to dream big, work hard and strive for excellence, but we also want them to remember why they fell in love with performing in the first place. Passion, joy and purpose are what make great performers truly shine.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, IzzY!
This week we are celebrating Isabella. Izzy is a 1st Year NAPA College student, however she has been training at NAPA for many years. Since starting at NAPA Izzy worked hard towards her goals of joining NAPA College once she reached grade 10. She is constantly noticed by her teachers for her passion, positivity and hard working nature. Izzy not only works hard in all of her classes, she has also volunteered to come in on her Saturday to support our 8’s and 10’s Performance Teams in the lead up to competition season. Izzy is a bright light around the studio and we are blessed to be part of her performing arts journey!
Congratulations, IzzY… we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
FROM LEAD ROLE TO ENSEMBLE - WHAT CAN I LEARN?
One of the biggest mindset challenges a young performer can face is going from playing lead roles to being cast in the ensemble. It can feel disappointing, confusing, or even personal, especially after experiencing success in larger roles. Many performers immediately think, “I’ve gone backwards.” But the truth is, being in the ensemble is not a step backwards at all. In many ways, it is one of the most valuable learning opportunities a performer can have.
In professional performing arts, the majority of work exists in the ensemble. Strong ensemble performers are the backbone of every production. They create the energy, atmosphere and storytelling that bring a show to life. Directors and choreographers consistently look for performers who are reliable, adaptable, hardworking and capable of supporting a cast as a team player. Learning how to thrive in the ensemble is not “settling” it is developing a skill that will serve performers for their entire career.
The transition starts with a mindset shift.
Instead of viewing the ensemble as being “less important,” performers should focus on what they can gain from the experience. Ensemble work teaches awareness, consistency, professionalism and versatility. You learn how to blend, support others, adapt quickly and maintain high performance energy throughout an entire show. These are skills that every successful performer needs, regardless of whether they are centre stage or not.
It is also important to remember that casting is not a ranking system. Sometimes a director needs a specific look, vocal quality, height, dynamic or chemistry for certain roles. Being cast in the ensemble does not erase your talent, previous achievements or potential. One role does not define your worth as a performer.
Great performers know how to make every moment on stage count.
Some of the most memorable performers in a production are not always the leads, they are the ones fully committed to every second they are on stage. Audiences notice performers who work hard, stay engaged and contribute positively to the overall production. Directors notice it too.
If you find yourself disappointed with a casting result, allow yourself a moment to feel that emotion, but do not stay there. Refocus your energy on growth. Ask yourself:
What can I learn from this experience?
How can I become a stronger team member?
How can I make this performance opportunity count?
What skills can I improve while in the ensemble?
A performer’s success is not built only on leading roles. It is built on resilience, professionalism, attitude and consistency over time. Every role, every rehearsal and every experience is part of the journey.
Sometimes the performers who grow the most are the ones who learn how to shine without needing to stand in the spotlight.
