NAPA News - Week 9, Term 3, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome back to another busy week at NAPA!
Firstly, apologies that there was no newsletter last week. Between moving house and focusing on our production of Bring It On, things were certainly a little hectic!
A huge congratulations to the entire Bring It On cast, crew and creative team on a fantastic season. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, energy and commitment that went into bringing this production to the stage. Thank you also to everyone who supported the show, whether backstage, front of house or in the audience cheering on our wonderful performers.
Our regular timetable is back to normal this week. However, there will be some timetable changes next week, so please ensure you carefully read the updated schedule that was emailed out. Staying on top of studio correspondence helps everything run smoothly during these busy production weeks.
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read the newsletter and stay connected with everything happening at NAPA!
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
CONGRATULATIONS BRING IT ON
Our seniors were absolutely amazing in their production over the weekend. Bring It On is a massive show and certainly not one to be underestimated! With huge musical numbers, complex themes and characters, demanding choreography and countless moving parts, it required tremendous commitment, teamwork and trust from everyone involved.
One of the most important messages within the show is that no individual succeeds alone, and our students demonstrated this beautifully. Every performer on that stage was essential. From the leading roles to the ensemble members filling each scene with energy and purpose, every person contributed to the storytelling and the success of the production.
That same teamwork continued backstage, where cast and crew supported one another through quick changes, scene transitions, microphones, props and all the unseen jobs that kept the show moving. A production of this size only works when everyone understands that their contribution matters and commits to working toward the same goal.
We could not be prouder of the professionalism, generosity and team spirit shown by our seniors. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew and creative team … you should all be incredibly proud of what you achieved together!
Celebrating Our Grade 12 Students
Bring It On marked the final NAPA musical for our wonderful Grade 12 students. Some have grown up within our studio walls and have been part of the NAPA family for more than a decade, while others joined us only this year … but every one of them has made a valued contribution to our community.
We are incredibly honoured to have shared in their journeys and watched them grow as performers and young people. They will all be deeply missed, although their time onstage with us is not quite over yet!
Next, our Grade 12s will begin preparing for their class Cabaret … always a much-loved highlight of the year and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their talent, individuality and final chapter at NAPA.
We are so proud of you all.
A NOTE FROM THE P&F
Our Spring Raffle is live, with over $1,700 in prizes donated by NAPA families and local businesses. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10, sales close 19 September and the draw is at 5pm. Every dollar goes towards our courtyard makeover. https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=82k9s
We keep talking about that makeover, so here's a look at where we're hoping to head. It is an AI generated image, so the real thing won't look exactly like this, but it gives you an idea of the environment we're trying to create for our cherubs and why the fundraising matters so much at the moment.
Before any of it can happen, the courtyard needs some prep and a good tidy up, and we're planning to knock that over during the September school holidays. If you can spare a couple of hours, email me at [email protected] and I'll add you to the list.
We'll also be calling for show volunteers soon, so keep an eye out. And if you haven't grabbed your tickets to Jungle Book from our Broadway Kids, or Charlotte's Web in the school holidays, consider this your reminder. Both are going to be ridiculously cute.
Finally, a huge thank you to the families and local businesses who donated raffle prizes. Your generosity is the reason we can do any of this.
R U OK? Day, Thursday 10 September
The P&F have a little treat in store for everyone who's at NAPA on Thursday. Pop into the office and grab one, and keep an eye out for the conversation starter that comes with it, because "are you okay?" can feel like a big question to open with. One each please, we are trusting you.
R U OK? Day is a good nudge to check in on the people around you, whether that's a teacher, another parent, or a friend you haven't heard from in a while. It's also a reminder that the community we're building here works both ways. If you're the one having a hard week, there are people at NAPA who would genuinely want to know. Please go and talk to one of them.
Grab your treat, ask the question, share it on your socials and pass the love on.
Coming Soon: The Jungle Book KIDS!
Our junior performers are busily preparing to take audiences on a wonderful adventure with their upcoming production of The Jungle Book KIDS! The students have been working incredibly hard, and we cannot wait to see this colourful, energetic show come to life onstage.
As we head into the final stages of rehearsals, it is essential that students continue practising at home. With so many scenes and musical numbers to cover, it is not possible to revisit everything during every rehearsal. Please encourage your child to regularly watch the resources available through NAPA Online… even a quick review can make an enormous difference to their confidence, independence and ability to retain choreography and staging.
A reminder that the extended rehearsal on Saturday 12 September will run from 9:30am–1:30pm, and all students are required to attend. Costumes will be allocated during this rehearsal, so please carefully review Miss Laura’s email for details about food, water bottles, show hairstyles, undergarments, hair and makeup requirements.
We know inboxes become particularly busy in the lead-up to a production, but each message contains important information. Please stay on top of all correspondence from Miss Laura and read each email carefully so that our students arrive prepared and ready to do their best.
A little practice and preparation at home will help the children feel secure, confident and excited as they step onto the stage. We can’t wait to see our young performers shine!
NAPA COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT
Discover a Different Education Pathway at NAPA College
As opportunities to study and participate in the arts become increasingly limited in many traditional school settings, young performers deserve an education pathway where their creativity is treated as central … not optional.
At NAPA College, students can continue their schooling while undertaking specialised performing arts training in a professional, supportive and safe environment. Our programs are designed for young people who are serious about the arts, providing opportunities to develop their skills across performance, production and the broader industry while preparing for their futures both onstage and beyond.
Most importantly, we care about the whole student. We understand that no two young performers have the same goals, strengths or journey, and we are committed to helping each student find a pathway that allows them to thrive.
If your child is passionate about the performing arts and looking for an education environment where that passion is understood, valued and nurtured, we invite you to attend our upcoming NAPA College Information Night. Come along, meet our team and discover whether NAPA College could be the right next step.
Wellbeing
Ask, Listen and Stay Connected
This week, as we recognise R U OK? Day, we are reminded that checking in with someone can make a genuine difference … but it needs to be more than a passing question.
Performers often become very good at appearing confident, energetic and composed, even when they are feeling overwhelmed. Busy rehearsal schedules, performance pressure, schoolwork, friendships and the desire to do well can sometimes become a lot to carry. That is why it is important to notice when someone seems quieter, more withdrawn or simply not quite themselves.
Asking “Are you OK?” does not mean that you need to have all the answers. It simply means making the time to ask sincerely and being prepared to listen without judgement. Sometimes the most helpful response is not advice, but allowing someone to speak and reminding them that they are not alone. If you are worried about a friend, encourage them to speak with a trusted adult who can offer further support.
It is equally important to ask for help when you need it. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, nor does it mean you are incapable of handling challenges. It demonstrates self-awareness, courage and maturity. Whether you speak to a parent, teacher, trusted friend or another supportive adult, sharing what you are carrying can be the first step towards making it feel more manageable.
At NAPA, we want to be a community in which people notice, listen and care. Let’s look beyond the smiles, applause and performances, check in with one another and create a space where nobody feels they must manage everything alone.
Ask the question. Listen to the answer. Keep checking in.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, link!
Link has been part of the NAPA family for many years, participating in Broadway, Tread the Boards and dance classes, and throughout that time, one quality has remained constant: his absolute commitment to creating excellent work.
Link always arrives prepared, learns every show inside and out and approaches each production with genuine passion. He is reliable, helpful and an incredible support to his peers, both onstage and behind the scenes. He understands that being a great performer is not only about your own role, but also about knowing the bigger picture and doing whatever you can to help the entire team succeed.
Now that Link is in Grade 12, we find ourselves wondering: “Who will hold that tenor line so strongly?” and, perhaps even more importantly, “Who will keep everyone on their toes backstage?” when he graduates!
Link, we feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of your journey and to have watched you grow into the talented, dedicated and dependable young performer you are today. We hope that when you look back on your NAPA days, you do so with the fondest memories and know just how valued you have been.
Congratulations, Link … our very deserving Cherub of the Week! ⭐
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Welcome to Live Theatre!
No matter how thoroughly a production has been rehearsed, live theatre will always be unpredictable. A line may be dropped, an entrance missed, a prop misplaced or a set change delayed. Some of our seniors experienced a few of these moments during Bring It On … and that is all part of learning to become a confident, adaptable performer!
When something goes wrong, the first rule is simple: stay calm and stay in character. Reacting visibly, laughing, freezing or looking into the wings can draw the audience’s attention to a mistake they may not have otherwise noticed. Instead, remain present, listen carefully and focus on what the scene needs next.
Strong improvisation is not about adding jokes or making up unnecessary dialogue. It is about protecting the story and helping the production find its way back on track. This might mean rephrasing a line to prompt another performer, continuing naturally until a late entrance occurs, adjusting your position while a set piece arrives or quietly helping someone who has lost their place.
It also requires teamwork. Never blame or embarrass another performer onstage. Support them, accept their choices and work together to keep the scene moving. The best saves are often so subtle that the audience never knows anything went wrong.
Of course, safety must always come first. If scenery, props or technical elements are involved, performers should remain alert and follow the direction of the stage management team rather than forcing the scene to continue exactly as rehearsed.
Improvisation is a skill that develops through listening, awareness and trust. Know your character, understand the purpose of the scene and pay attention to the people around you … not simply your next line. The more connected you are to the story and your fellow performers, the better equipped you will be to respond when the unexpected happens.
That is the magic … and occasional chaos … of live theatre. Welcome to the show!
Welcome back to another busy week at NAPA!
Firstly, apologies that there was no newsletter last week. Between moving house and focusing on our production of Bring It On, things were certainly a little hectic!
A huge congratulations to the entire Bring It On cast, crew and creative team on a fantastic season. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, energy and commitment that went into bringing this production to the stage. Thank you also to everyone who supported the show, whether backstage, front of house or in the audience cheering on our wonderful performers.
Our regular timetable is back to normal this week. However, there will be some timetable changes next week, so please ensure you carefully read the updated schedule that was emailed out. Staying on top of studio correspondence helps everything run smoothly during these busy production weeks.
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read the newsletter and stay connected with everything happening at NAPA!