NAPA News - Week 8, Term 2, 2023
Dear NAPA Families,
Performance Team Concert
Our Performance Teams are SENSATIONAL! What a fabulous concert, where we got to see all of our Performance Teams shine on stage together rather than in different sections of various competitions. This is also a great opportunity for our teams to perform for audiences before some of the competitions start, to give that extra polish to the routines. A huge congratulations to our students and their teachers on such a great outcome!!!! We are so proud of you all. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Film + Television Classes Information
Our wonderful Junior and Pre-Senior FTV teacher, Jordyn, has written information for those who are interested as to what is being taught in these classes. This is accompanied by a photo from our fabulous teacher Tim who teaches the seniors and college students.
In classes, we have been breaking down scripts; exploring and asking questions about the characters, and the context of the scene. The students pick the character that best suits them, then we discuss questions such as: Who is your character? What is your relationship to the other character in the scene? What is your objective? What are the obstacles getting in the way of your objective? What tactics will your character use to achieve their objective? Subtext - Why is your character saying that? What do they really mean? Are they telling the truth? What are they not saying? etc. etc.
Scene analysis is an awesome way for the students to explore the scene further, rather than just using the text provided, and to practice making interesting choices. It’s a great habit to get into for auditions, where you only have limited time to impress.
The students then go home and learn their lines, with their chosen ideas in mind, ready to perform on camera. We have been filming these scenes ‘self tape style’ while incorporating tips on how to film self-tape auditions; where the reader should stand, eye lines, physicality. They have been doing a great job at making choices that are truthful and best suit them personally. Every actor is different, so it’s been nice to see what each individual brings to their chosen role. This week we will be watching their most recent tapes back on the TV and then receive or give peer feedback! The students are doing really well in class.
While the kids usually love to pair up with their friends, I often encourage them to work with new actors, so they can get a feel for what it’s like working with different energies, experience levels and ages. This is great practice for being on set, where you never know who you are going to be working with!
Parents who have any questions about the film industry e.g agents, headshots, showreels please feel free to contact me anytime on 0422 775 585.
- JORDYN
Dealing with COVID and Flu
We have had a few students away recently with COVID and the flu. If your child tests positive for COVID it is important you keep them home until they test negative. In the case of the flu, this can be contagious for up to 10 days of contracting it. Please monitor this carefully and keep them home if they are experiencing symptoms. If there are any slight signs of sickness, please ensure you and your child keep your distance from others. I know they are keen to push through sicknesses with shows coming up, but spreading sickness has a bigger negative impact on upcoming shows. For all of our sick cherubs and family members, we wish you all a speedy recovery.
Theatre Etiquette
Part of our training includes theatre etiquette. This is not just for our students, but for their families as well. If theatre has not been something you have attended much before your child started classes, there may be some aspects of theatre etiquette you are not aware of. As our productions have now started, it is timely we go through some of these, that is a ‘given’ with all theatre attendances at or outside of NAPA. Applying theatre etiquette makes the experience for all performers and audiences a better experience.
Queue in an orderly fashion with your tickets in your hand or on your phone ready for the ushers to take you to your seats. Looking for tickets at the front of the line delays the seating process.
Be prompt. Try to be at the theatre no later than a half an hour before the show. Arriving late for a performance and entering when it has started is very disruptive. It takes about half an hour at NAPA to get everyone seated so we can’t achieve this if most people arrive in the last 15 minutes.
No photography or filming. This is extremely distracting for the audience and cast. However, you can snap a special memory photo of you in the theatre before the show or during the interval. At NAPA professional photos and film recording is done for you and is covered by your media fee, so no need for you to miss out on the experience of live theatre by being stuck behind your camera.
Do not move the seats to a different position as quite frequently the space available is used for entrances and exits of performers.
Remove hats as they can block the view of people behind you.
Dress for the occasion. There is no set rule around this, but it is respectful to at least dress in smart casual. It’s great (and acceptable etiquette wise) to see children dress up in character outfits that fit the shown if they wish.
Try not to enter or exit during the performance. Ensure you have been to the toilet before the show. If you do need to leave for a reason, wait for the end of a scene, song or dance number to exit or enter the theatre. Usually whilst the audience is applauding is the best time to pick to leave or enter as it’s the least disruptive time. Also take care to avoid or duck below a professional camera that is filming the show.
Do not approach the tech team at the bio box with questions as they are engaged in prep work before and after the show. Questions are for ushers.
Do not make noise throughout the show. No rustling of food packaging or talking throughout the show. This is very distracting for performers and audience members.
Remove crying babies or children as this noise level can ruin a show.
Don’t allow children to stand on seats where they can block the view of people sitting behind.
Do not leave your rubbish behind. At NAPA it is disrespectful for our volunteer helpers who have to clean up after you, and for professional shows, it puts up the prices of tickets for the increased number of cleaners needed.
Report spilt drinks. Liquid on the floor is a hazard, and if spilt on the tables, it can end up on the floor. If you have done this or see it, please report it to an usher to have it cleaned up promptly.
Respect the theatre and its contents. We continually have to replace tablecloths as audience members frequently dig holes in them (I have no idea why). Some audience members frequently throw paper towels and toilet paper on the floor, as well as water. Continual replacement of items and extra cleaning will drive ticket prices up. Staging a production is already extremely costly, we don’t want to add to this.
Do not wave or call out to your child on stage. This can be very tempting but distracting them to “break the fourth wall” is a big “NO, NO”. A very disruptive action and can cause your child to make mistakes.
Hope everyone can follow these theatre rules (its only a little bit of effort) as it will make the theatre experience an even better one for you all. I hope you have gained a greater understanding from reading this. For those of you who follow theatre etiquette, thank you, you are greatly appreciated.
Have a wonderful week everyone,
Lynn & the NAPA Team
