NAPA News - Week 6, Term 1, 2021
Dear NAPA Families,
We hope that you have had another great week at NAPA. This part of Term 1 sees the start of auditions for those productions coming up first in our Playbill and the rest will be in Term 2. Each class will be receiving an email prior to their audition with audition details. In the performance industry there are always disappointments, as there is only one person for each role. Part of our training is to help our students cope with these disappointments and for them to not take it personally or to believe they have no hope in making it as a career. It is a hard part of being a performer but a great learning experience in providing valuable information as to how to improve. If you would like to have more information on how to approach an audition and how to cope when you don’t get the role you want, or how you can best help your child through these disappointments, take time to read the information at the end of the newsletter. Chookas to all the students auditioning this term and congratulations to the cast selected for Into the Woods.
DANCE FOR SICK KIDS
This is a wonderful opportunity for our dancers to use their love of dance to help seriously ill and injured children. Dance for Sick Kids is a 7-day dance challenge for people of all skill levels and abilities. Held during National Families Week (15-21 May), it is an opportunity to get moving and grooving to help raise funds to support thousands of Aussie families who have a seriously ill or injured child.
All funds raised will help these children and their families by providing a home-away-from-home at Ronald McDonald House, whilst they receive critical care and treatment. On average, it costs Ronald McDonald House Charities $160 to support a family for one night, so please give what you can, every dollar counts.
Everyone's fundraising will contribute to the team goal so you will be able to see the impact you are all making together! What better way to connect your community and instil the importance of giving back; and who doesn't love a healthy dance off!
It’s easy to get involved. Just hit the link and sign up to join our NAPA Team
ONLINE LESSON CONTENT
During the COVID shutdown NAPA went to online lessons. For every cloud there is a silver lining and for us it was the benefits we saw from online learning. Not that I suggest we go back to this, as you can’t beat face-to-face teaching, but we can use it as an extra teaching resource. The amount of work we did was so beneficial in getting our students excited about productions, understanding the context of their productions and using the singing and dance videos for rehearsals; we see this is great additional learning opportunity. During next week we will set up 2021 online learning, then you will be given passwords to access this if your child’s teacher wishes to use this. Teachers will inform you when they have posted something online for your child to access. Some classes may not need to use this teaching platform but if you are given this opportunity, please use it.
PRIVATE LESSONS REMINDER
For those of you doing private lessons, please note that you must let the teacher know 24hrs prior to cancelling lessons or you will be charged for that lesson. Consideration will be given for unavoidable circumstances that make it impossible to give that much notice. However, please note that teachers need plenty of time to make alternative arrangements otherwise their precious time is wasted.
UNIFORM ARRIVALS
We are still getting questions regarding when uniforms arrive. If you have missed the previous information regarding this, please note that the Basic Range (the black T-shirts) should be here in the next 2 weeks. The Activated Industry uniforms (the blue dancewear) is scheduled to arrive the second week of term 2. I have ordered some extra items in case anyone has missed out on ordering. Presently we are out of stock on everything except Boys Crew uniforms.
GLEE CLUB
This is a small but enthusiastic group looking for more members to join them. After term 1 it will be difficult to take on more students as it maybe too hard to catch up before their first performance gig. If your child would love to learn how to harmonise and entertain community audiences, this is a fantastic opportunity to achieve those goals.
AUDITION HINTS
As students begin the audition process at NAPA and for community and professional theatre outside of NAPA, it is important to be aware of ways to prepare and ways to cope with disappointments. Here are some helpful hints:
Gain a good understanding of the production – the plot, the style of acting required, the era the play or musical is set, the characters and their relationships
Read carefully the character descriptions and the information provided on what they are looking for in the character. Make sure you match the description given. Do not apply for roles you are not suited or ready for.
Be aware of audition protocols that you need to abide by
Take note of times, dates and any requirements outlined and ensure you abide by these. Do not be late!
Memorise the material or be familiar enough with it to maintain eye contact. Knowing the dialogue is important, but making a connection with the other characters is what will make the scene natural and believable.
Show that you are confident (even if you are not). It sounds simple but it takes practice. Walk in the door with your head held high. Be wary of shuffling feet. You don’t get sympathy points if you’re nervous, not feeling well, or having a bad day. Leave it outside the door. You are being sized up the minute you walk in so practice good posture and body language before you arrive. And don’t forget to smile—that’s the lasting impression you want to leave.
Let your personality shine through. Don’t give one-word answers when having a conversation with the casting director. Ask questions! The industry is looking for smart, curious actors.
Be friendly, supportive and gracious to other auditionees.
For our younger students, show that you are well-behaved, attentive, you can concentrate and always try hard.
Do not dress in a costume that you think the character would wear. Wear comfortable clothing to allow movement if required and at the most something that gives a ‘hint’ or ‘suggestion’ of the character
Prepare for the role thoroughly – the more prepared you are the more confident you will be!
Know the character. Read the entire script beforehand to pick-up as many clues as possible. Learn about a character by the following:
What they say about themselves
What other characters say about them
What the playwright or screenwriter says about them
Objective - Go underneath the dialogue. What do they want from the other characters? What is the character’s purpose in the scene and story?
Obstacle - What’s in the way of the character getting what they want?
Variety – Find the contrast in the scene. Don’t play one emotion. If the character is angry or tough, when might they show some vulnerability?
Remember – acting isn’t just talking, use those dramatic pauses to communicate the character’s thoughts, emotions, intentions. Be aware of the best use of body language. Believable reactions are also an important element in a believable performance.
Don’t compare yourself to other auditionees, your interpretation and approach may be just what the audition panel are looking for.
Push any doubts or thoughts that others are better than you out of your mind. If you have done the preparation, be confident in your own ability.
Enjoy and learn from the process!
HOW TO COPE WHEN YOU DON’T GET THE ROLE YOU WANTED
Don’t take it personally. Being cast in a role is not all about the actor’s audition performance but also considers things such as body type, height, hair colour, ethnicity, and age – all factors beyond your control. You may never know the reason you were not chosen, and no good will come from trying to figure it out. Remember, your sole job as an auditioning actor is to prepare the role to the best of your ability and let go of the results – that part’s not up to you. So, let it go, and know that what’s meant for you will be yours.
Put it in perspective. Maybe you didn't get the lead, but is your part really that bad? Think about all the good things about the role that you have been given. Maybe you get to be in one of the best songs, or you get to have the best costume. Ensemble work is an opportunity to learn about stagecraft, work as a team and be on stage a lot of the time. Consider the things about your role that will make you happy in the long run.
Get in touch with your emotions. It can be really hurtful if you didn't get the part you deserved. Have a good cry. Talk with somebody you trust or someone who is experiencing the same disappointment. If you get your emotions out in the open instead of suppressing them, it can be easier to move on. Don’t dwell on it.
Think about why your director may have cast you in your specific role. Don't immediately assume that it's because you're a bad singer or actor with no talent. Maybe it was because your personality matched the part you were given better than the part you tried out for. More likely, it was because there were so many talented people trying out for the best parts - including you - and it was one of the most difficult decisions the director had to make.
Talk to your director. Ask them why they cast you in your role. Don't sound petty, and don't sound like you're complaining, rather that you are seeking feedback to improve, know the qualities that they see in you and set realistic goals for the future.
Don't quit from the production. It may be tempting, but don't make any rash decisions. Consider the fact that even if your part is small, they need somebody to play it. All parts are necessary. It may be hurtful to know that you got a smaller role, but don't just give up. More than likely you will find yourself having a great time anyway whilst learning from the experience.
Give it your all! Practice your lines over and over again. Sing your songs all the time. Do your absolute best in rehearsal. If you show your director that you can act even the smallest of roles with gusto and all the talent you can possibly muster, it will show them that you are a serious actor that won't succumb to setbacks. It will also show them that you aren't a sore loser - you're a team player all the way. And if you show them those things, you might nail the next role you want.
Professional Achievements
Has your child worked (paid) in a professional production in stage, theatre, film or television while training at the National Academy of Performing Arts? We love to acknowledge these wonderful achievements. Complete the form below to submit their recent work.
Please note: due to some production restrictions, there may be some achievements that are held until the public release of a particular production. We will compile a list of these students and will load them when timing is appropriate.
