NAPA News - Week 7, Term 2, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Week 7! Apologies for the missing newsletter last week. There wasn’t any pressing news and the weeks are going by so fast I decided to leave it for a week.
In this week’s newsletter we have our Jagged Little Pill cast announcement, a link to our Antigone tickets, our AGM notice and some important Wellbeing and Performance Tips.
There is a lot of sickness going around, so stay warm, stay hydrated and stay well.
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
JAGGED LITTLE PILL
Please welcome the outstanding cast of Jagged Little Pill, our upcoming NAPA Ensemble musical. Tickets are now on sale, however please note that this show is definitely recommended for mature audiences. The perfect excuse for a parents night out!
The Jagged Little Pill musical follows the Healy family, who appear perfect on the surface but are actually unravelling. Set in suburban Connecticut, the story tackles heavy themes like opioid addiction, sexual assault, racism, and LGBTQ+ identity through the iconic rock songs of Alanis Morissette.
Tickets are already selling fast, so get in quick!
ANTIGONE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE
Our Senior Tread the Boards students have been working hard and are getting excited for opening night! Tickets are now on sale via the link below. We’d love to see lots of our NAPA families in the audience. If your child is considering joining NAPA College in the senior years, this one should be on your “to do” list!
Antigone is a famous Greek tragedy by Sophocles, exploring the clash between divine and state law. After her brothers kill each other in a civil war, King Creon decrees that the rebel brother, Polynices, must be left unburied. Defying the law, Antigone attempts a proper burial and seals her tragic fate
P&F AGM
Our NAPA P&F AGM will be held on Wednesday July 22nd from 6pm in the theatre. We welcome all of our NAPA Families to join us to discuss the year ahead, fund-raising ideas and to appoint new members to our committees. We are especially looking for Bar and Fundraising helpers, as with the ever growing calendar we have lots of events to staff throughout the year.
We look forward to seeing everyone then!
Wellbeing
It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint
In the performing arts, there is always something more to do.
Another class. Another workshop. Another private lesson. Another convention. Another opportunity that promises to give students an edge.
As educators, we are passionate about helping our students reach their potential, and at NAPA we pride ourselves on training young performers to a professional standard. We encourage dedication, commitment, and a strong work ethic. However, there is an important lesson that every performer… and every parent… needs to remember:
More is not always better.
In today's world, it is easy to feel like you are falling behind if you are not doing everything. Social media constantly showcases students attending workshops, masterclasses, competitions, and intensive training programs. While these opportunities can be incredibly valuable, they should enhance a student's journey, not consume it.
Young performers need time to rest, recover, and simply be kids.
Physical training places demands on growing bodies. Long hours of dance, singing, acting, and rehearsals require energy, focus, and resilience. Without adequate downtime, students can quickly find themselves physically exhausted, mentally overwhelmed, and emotionally disconnected from the very thing they once loved.
Burnout is real, even in children and teenagers.
One of the greatest risks in pursuing excellence is losing sight of balance. A student who trains seven days a week but becomes exhausted, anxious, or injured is not setting themselves up for long-term success. Sustainable progress comes from consistency over time, not from trying to cram every possible opportunity into a single season.
Professional performers understand this well. Elite athletes schedule recovery days. Professional artists prioritise sleep, nutrition, and mental wellbeing. Rest is not a reward for hard work… it is an essential part of the process.
As we move through the year, we encourage families to remember that performing arts training is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is not to do everything now. The goal is to develop skilled, healthy, resilient performers who still love what they do years down the track.
Sometimes the best thing a student can do for their growth is to take a weekend off, spend time with friends and family, get a good night's sleep, and recharge.
Because longevity, passion, and wellbeing will always be more valuable than trying to keep up with every trend.
The most successful performers are not always the ones who do the most, they are often the ones who learn how to balance ambition with self-care, and who understand that growth happens not only during training, but also during recovery.
After all, the journey is long. Make sure you leave enough energy to enjoy it.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, JOSIE!
This week we are celebrating Josie. Josie was nominated by multiple teachers this week and we are not surprised! She is the kind of student who lights up every class room. Always with a big smile and a warm greeting to everyone she comes across, she is the definition of a NAPA Cherub. Her teachers report that she is consistently working hard in class, always comes prepared and is a positive influence on her fellow peers. Josie is a talented triple threat and we are lucky to be a part of her performing arts jouney.
Congratulations, JOSIE… we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Why Presentation Matters
One of the simplest ways students can set themselves up for success in class is by arriving prepared and dressed appropriately for the work ahead.
At first glance, uniform requirements can sometimes feel like they are about conformity or limiting individuality. In reality, the purpose is quite the opposite. Appropriate class attire helps remove distractions and allows students, teachers, and peers to focus on what really matters: learning, growth, and performance.
In a performing arts environment, clothing is a tool.
For dancers, correct dancewear allows teachers to properly assess alignment, posture, technique, and movement quality. Loose clothing can hide important technical details, making it difficult for teachers to provide accurate corrections. Appropriate attire also plays a significant role in safety. Students need freedom of movement, secure footwear, and clothing that won't create unnecessary hazards during training.
For singers and actors, presentation is equally important. While the physical demands may be different, developing professional habits starts in the classroom. Arriving prepared, dressed appropriately, and ready to work demonstrates respect for the craft, the teacher, and fellow performers.
Many students aspire to careers in the entertainment industry, where appearance and dress requirements are often simply part of the job. Whether performing in a musical, working on a film set, entertaining on a cruise ship, or representing a company at an event, performers are frequently required to wear specific costumes, uniforms, or branded attire. Learning to meet presentation expectations is an important professional skill that will serve them well throughout their careers.
Perhaps most importantly, wearing the designated uniform helps create a mindset.
Just as athletes wear training gear and professionals wear workplace attire, performers benefit from having clothing that signals it is time to focus and work. Putting on a uniform creates a transition between everyday life and training. It helps students arrive mentally prepared to learn, participate, and challenge themselves.
Of course, self-expression remains an important part of the performing arts. Creativity, individuality, and personality are at the heart of what we do. However, the classroom is where skills are built. When everyone arrives prepared and dressed appropriately, the focus shifts away from what we are wearing and onto what we are creating.
Great performers understand that presentation is about more than appearance. It is about professionalism, preparation, respect, and taking pride in the work.
Success often comes from doing the small things consistently, and arriving ready to work is one of the most important habits a performer can develop.
