NAPA News - Week 4, Term 3, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to Week 4 of Term 3!
This weekend we saw our Performance Team students take to the stage and what a show it was! The kids all did so well, with many of our seniors being in every second number. They took every quick change in their stride and our backstage helpers later commented on how well they all did backstage. Not only making their quick changes, but also helping and supporting their team mates through theirs. What a joy to receive this feedback from our helpers. We are so proud of you all.
This week we begin GCE groups with our College choir and then move to The Star to begin dance groups. Rehearsals for all of our plays and musicals are well underway, so make sure you are staying on top of all correspondence, as it is a busy few weeks ahead!
Wishing everyone a fantastic week ahead!
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
COLLEGE STUDENTS MAKE-UP AND WIG WORKSHOP
One of the greatest advantages of training in a vocational performing arts environment is the opportunity to learn from people who have experienced the industry firsthand. While technique and performance skills are at the heart of what we do, understanding the realities of working professionally is just as important. Our students regularly have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals who bring a wealth of practical knowledge, current industry standards, and invaluable real-world experience into the classroom.
Today, our entire College cohort had the privilege of taking part in a specialist workshop with Madi Jennings on theatre hair, wigs and make-up. Madi has worked professionally on the West End and on the touring productions including Wicked, Frozen and Grease, making her an incredible source of knowledge for students aspiring to careers in the performing arts.
The session explored everything from the importance of quick changes and wig preparation to professional backstage etiquette and the expectations placed on performers and crew in major productions. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain insight into an area of theatre that is often unseen by audiences but is essential to every successful production.
Experiences like these are a key part of what makes NAPA College different. We are committed to ensuring our students don't just learn about the industry, they learn from the industry. By connecting our students with working professionals across all areas of the performing arts, they graduate with a broader understanding of the profession, valuable industry connections, and the confidence to step into the next stage of their training or career.
If you're a young performer looking for an education that allows you to pursue your academic studies while immersing yourself in world-class performing arts training and learning from professionals who have worked on some of the world's biggest productions, we'd love to welcome you to NAPA College.
A NOTE FROM THE P&F
Father's Day Raffle - Help Us Make Something Beautiful!
We will be running a big online raffle in the lead up to Father's Day, with all funds going toward a courtyard makeover for our NAPA community. More details coming soon, but trust us, it's going to be a good one.
If you're a local business and you'd like to donate a prize, we'd absolutely love to hear from you. Every contribution helps us create a space our students and families can enjoy for years to come. It's also a great chance to get your business in front of our community throughout the raffle period. Reach out, your support means the world to this community.
Watch this space for raffle details!
Backstage Magic needed for our Youth Shows
Next month we have Broadway Kids Jungle Book shows coming up, and we're going to need plenty of backstage helpers to make it all happen. If you'd love to be part of the behind-the-scenes crew, now is the perfect time to put your hand up.
One important thing to flag: all backstage volunteers need a current Blue Card or a Blue Card exemption. If you don't have one yet, now is the time to apply, the process takes a little while so don't leave it too late!
BIG NEWS!
NAPA College is Growing!
We’re thrilled to announce that in 2027, NAPA College is expanding to include Years 7 & 8, creating an exciting new pathway for young performers ready to combine their education with their passion.
For students who dream of a career in the performing arts, traditional schooling isn’t always the right fit. At NAPA College, we offer an alternative educational pathway where academic learning is integrated with elite training in musical theatre, dance and performance, allowing students to thrive both in the classroom and on the stage.
Our new Middle School program has been designed for passionate young artists who are ready to be challenged, inspired and supported in an environment that truly understands them.
Enrolments for Years 7–12 are now open for 2027.
Email to register for info night: [email protected]
Wellbeing
The Cost of Gossip
Every performing arts school has one thing that makes it truly special. It isn't the building, the costumes, the productions or the trophies. It's the culture.
Culture is created by every conversation we have, every interaction we choose to have with one another, and every decision we make when someone isn't in the room.
Unfortunately, one of the quickest ways to damage a positive culture is through gossip.
Gossip often begins innocently enough. Someone hears part of a story. Someone else fills in the gaps. Another person repeats it. Before long, opinions are being formed about situations that very few people actually understand. The reality is that we almost never have the full picture.
There are conversations that happen privately. There are personal circumstances we aren't aware of. There are reasons behind decisions that aren't ours to know. When we assume we know the whole story, we risk hurting people who have done nothing wrong and creating problems that never needed to exist.
For the individual, gossip can be incredibly damaging. It affects confidence, creates anxiety, damages friendships and leaves people feeling isolated. But its impact doesn't stop there.
At a school like NAPA, gossip changes the energy of the entire community.
Instead of students feeling excited to come to class, they begin wondering what people are saying about them. Rehearsals become tense. Trust begins to disappear. New students can feel unwelcome before they've even had the chance to find their place. The atmosphere shifts from one of encouragement to one of suspicion.
That is not the environment we want to create.
As performers, we also need to recognise that our reputation extends far beyond our ability to sing, dance or act. The performing arts industry is remarkably small. Directors, choreographers, stage managers, producers and performers all talk to one another. Talent may open a door, but professionalism determines whether it stays open.
Professionalism isn't just arriving on time or learning your lines. It includes how you speak about your peers, how you handle disappointment, how you respond to conflict and whether you contribute to solutions or to drama.
The performers who are invited back time and time again are often those who make the rehearsal room a better place. They are kind. They are trustworthy. They celebrate other people's successes. They don't fuel rumours or create unnecessary conflict. People know they can rely on them.
If someone approaches you with gossip, consider asking yourself a few simple questions.
Do I know this to be true?
Is it my story to tell?
Does repeating this help anyone?
Would I say this if the person were standing beside me?
If the answer is no, it may be best to let the conversation end there.
This doesn't mean we ignore genuine concerns. If something is unsafe, inappropriate or affecting your wellbeing, speak to a trusted teacher or member of the leadership team. That isn't gossip, that is seeking support.
As we move through another busy term together, let's all make a conscious effort to protect the culture we've worked so hard to build.
Choose curiosity over assumption. Choose compassion over judgement. Choose conversations that lift people up rather than tear them down.
Every one of us has the ability to shape the environment we train in. Let's make it one where people feel safe, supported and inspired to become not only exceptional performers, but exceptional people.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, EMILY!
This week's Cherub of the Week goes to Emily, who has been recognised by several of our teachers for consistently demonstrating the values that make NAPA such a special community.
During last weekend's concert, Emily somehow managed to perform in nine routines while also volunteering her time backstage to help wherever she was needed. Despite her own busy schedule, she was constantly looking out for others, offering assistance with a smile and approaching every task with a positive attitude. Her genuine care for her fellow students did not go unnoticed.
In Broadway, Miss Cilla has been incredibly impressed with Emily's commitment, describing her as "divine." She has been fully embracing her character, making bold performance choices and arriving each week ready to work hard and continue developing her craft.
Emily is a wonderful example of what it means to be both an outstanding performer and an exceptional teammate. Congratulations, Emily… we are so proud of you!✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
The Audition Isn't Over When the Cast List Goes Up
For every performer, there will come a time when the cast list doesn't go the way you hoped.
You may miss out on your dream role. You may not receive a callback. Sometimes, you may not be cast at all.
It hurts.
Whether you're auditioning for a school production, community theatre, a drama school or a professional contract, rejection is one of the few guarantees in this industry. Every successful performer you admire has heard the word "no" countless times. What separates professionals isn't that they avoid rejection—it's how they respond to it.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the audition ends when you leave the room.
In reality, your audition continues long after the cast list is released.
How do you treat the creative team afterwards?
How do you speak about the production?
How do you congratulate those who were successful?
How do you carry yourself when things don't go your way?
People notice.
Directors remember the performer who congratulated others despite being disappointed. They remember the student who thanked the panel for the opportunity. They remember the performer who returned to class ready to work just as hard on the next project.
Unfortunately, they also remember those who react with anger, become disrespectful, spread negativity, or distance themselves from the community because of disappointment.
The performing arts industry is built on relationships.
You may not be right for one production, but you could be perfect for the next. A director who doesn't cast you today may recommend you for another opportunity tomorrow. A choreographer you meet this year may become someone you audition for professionally in five years' time.
Your reputation travels with you.
It's important to remember that not being cast is rarely a reflection of your talent alone. Every production is a puzzle. Height, age, vocal blend, chemistry between performers, availability, dance ability, acting choices and countless other factors all influence casting decisions. Sometimes there simply isn't a place for an excellent performer in a particular production.
That doesn't diminish your ability.
If you're disappointed, allow yourself to feel it. Talk with someone you trust. Reflect on your audition. Ask for feedback if it's appropriate. Then use that experience to grow.
The performers who enjoy long, successful careers aren't those who never hear "no." They're the ones who hear it, learn from it, and come back stronger the next time.
At NAPA, we encourage every student to celebrate one another's successes, support the cast that has been chosen, and continue developing their craft regardless of the outcome. There will always be another audition, another opportunity and another stage.
The question isn't whether you'll experience rejection.
The question is: when that moment comes, what will your response say about you?
Welcome to Week 5 of Term 3!
This weekend we saw our Performance Team perform at their first Gold Coast Eisteddfod event in choirs and dance groups. We are so proud of everyone and how they performed, on and off the stage.
This week we have Pre-senior Tread the Boards class hitting the stage with their play So Much To Tell You. This is a deeply moving play and the cherubs are doing such an amazing job with it. If you haven’t booked yet, get in quick!
Wishing everyone a fantastic week ahead!