NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
Artistically shaping future performers, to act out their dreams
2009 INFORMATION
PLEASE KEEP THIS BOOKLET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR YOUR REFERENCE
ABOUT THE ‘NATIONAL ACADEMY
OF PERFORMING ARTS’
Established in 2006 by founders Amy-Louise Anderson, Lynn Dyer and Kim Reynolds, in
response to the growing need for a production-based training institution on the Gold Coast
that lays the foundation for a career in professional acting. A growing number of parents and
students are looking for a more serious approach to a training institution. To this demand,
our focus is to assist the talented and dedicated students who wish to seek employment in
the theatre and entertainment industry, whilst still offering classes to instill a love for this art
form and improve creative and communication skills.
N.A.P.A. is different from other training institutions in that we relate our training to a specific
performance context rather than repetitive exercises and games that are not related directly
to a performance experience. We believe that students develop greater performance skills
through rehearsal and performance rather than isolated lessons. All classes are therefore
given performance opportunities with high expectations.
Students are encouraged to participate in social events and excursions to performances
as well as offering free admission to any N.A.P.A. matinee productions. This helps to create
a close working team and a passion for the Performing Arts. The greater their involvement,
the greater the chance our students have of growing to be well balanced adults. Boredom
and lack of motivation is proven to be one of the main causes of poor behaviour. We aim to
offer interstate and international performance tours as opportunities arise.
Parents play an important role at the Academy. Many very talented parents have offered
their services and talents in costume construction, set art work, front of house, prop con-
struction, canteen and bar operations. This has been invaluable to our operations and
greatly appreciated. Encouragement and support for our students by parents is vital to their
success and goes a long way in building parent/child relationship.
Education Queensland and the Principal of Merrimac SHS, Chris Tobin, have offered their
support to N.A.P.A. by providing the use of the facilities at Merrimac State High School.
Situated on Dunlop Court, Mermaid Waters on SE Queensland’s Gold Coast, the facilities
provide large performance spaces, a dance studio, technical equipment and even a pool to
cool off during those long hot rehearsals and after show pool parties. Students of Merrimac
who have earned a Cultural Scholarship to the school, receive a term’s free tuition at
N.A.P.A. In partnership with Merrimac High our goal is to provide quality training and prepa-
ration for future pathways.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
Business Proprietors:
Lynn Dyer (B.Ed – Drama, Dip T. Dip Ed): Musical Theatre and Drama Teacher. Lynn is cur-
rently Head of the Arts at Merrimac SHS and is vastly experienced in the entertainment industry
and as a drama teacher. She has worked professionally as an actor, director and singer for many
years. Lynn is renowned for her work at Spotlight Theatre, where she ran the Youth Theatre for
15 years and built its number from 12 to enrolments of over 100 students each year. Her innova-
tive ideas, success of her students, the quality of her productions and taking her students to per-
form overseas, built Spotlight Youth Theatre’s reputation. Many of Lynn’s past students are now in
the entertainment industry, including teachers, Amy-Louise, Kim and Iain, who have continued to
work with Lynn in various capacities. Lynn’s experience and knowledge moulds the content of our
teaching to meet the demands of the industry.
Kim Reynolds: Dance Teacher and Choreographer Kim is a professional dancer who has
danced in and choreographed numerous productions. She has danced and acted from an early
age. After graduating from Spotlight Youth Theatre, Kim remained with Lynn to choreograph her
Youth Theatre shows and also traveled with her twice to Japan, to perform. Kim has worked at
Movie World for 10 years as a performer and traveled to Korea with Movie World’s performance
troupe . She has an outstanding reputation on the coast for her original and stylish choreography
and is in high demand as a choreographer and dance teacher by many organisations. Currently,
Kim is also a teacher at Dance Classique. Classes and rehearsals with Kim are always fun.
Additional N.A.P.A.Teachers:
Amy-Louise Anderson (B.Ed. – Drama, Perf. Cert. A.T.C.L.): Drama Teacher and Director.
A talented and accomplished teacher, director and actor, Amy had a passion for anything theatr-
cal, since a young child when her talent for performing was very obvious. After graduating from
Spotlight Youth Theatre, Amy assisted Lynn with productions for many years and then became a
teacher at the Youth Theatre herself. Currently, Amy is also a Drama teacher at Marymount Col-
lege and has been a private Speech and Drama coach for many years. Amy has the ability to ex-
cite her students and instill a love for performing.
Matt Dennett: (Cert Music AMEB) Music Teacher and Musical Director.
We welcome aboard our newest arrival to the team. Matt has been performing from a very young
age and was introduced to the stage by competing in and winning many piano eisteddfods. He
has completed his Certificate of Music AMEB letters and has a passion for Musical Theatre. Matt
has Musically Directed a number of shows including The Wiz, Shout! The Story of Johnny
O’Keefe, The Producers and Pyjama Game. During the day Matt works for Warner Bros. Movie
World as a performer as well as conducting educational tours for school groups. Matt is excited to
be joining the N.A.P.A. team and brings with him a great enthusiasm for our students’ musical de-
velopment.
Iain Hogg: (B. of Art – Music, Drama, A.T.C.L. Dip.Ed) Music Teacher and Musical Director.
We welcomed Iain to the team in 2007, although he is no stranger to us. Iain was also one of
Lynn’s past students, and has frequently worked with all of the teachers in a variety of productions
over the years. He is a qualified Drama, Music and Singing teacher. Iain currently teaches at
Moonlighting and is the Performing Arts teacher at Canterbury College. As a talented singer, di-
rector, actor, and choreographer, Iain’s love of performing is infectious.
Adam King: Adam brings with him a wealth of experience from both on and off the stage. Being
an “all-rounder” Adam has worked professionally as a singer, dancer and actor and has also di-
rected and choreographed many musical productions. He is well known around the Gold Coast for
his fabulous voice which he showcases in the dynamic vocal group ENCORE and was the starring
role in the Gold Coast Arts Centre’s 2008 production of Boy From Oz . Adam has also had the op-
portunity to perform overseas, hosting shows for Warner Bros. Movie World as lead singer/dancer.
Adam currently works as the vocal coach and character trainer for Warner Village Theme Parks
where it is his job to audition potential stars and then train them to meet the high expectations and
standards of the industry. Adam has a great passion for the theatre and is a great asset to our
academy.
ABOUT CLASSES AND COURSE
OPPORTUNITIES
Li’l Napas Caters for pre-school and Grade 1.
This class aims at developing confidence, creativity, co-ordination and
gross motor skills as well as developing the imagination. Children learn
and develop through fun and dynamic forms of drama games, poetry,
music and dance.
Times: Saturday 9.00 – 9.45 a.m
Cost: $80 per term
Class sizes 8-10
Room allocation: Q3
Tutor: Kim Reynolds and Amy-Louise Anderson
Junior Primary Caters for Grade 2-4
This class aims at developing: confidence, creativity, imagination,
coordination, team work, gross motor skills, creative movement,
extending the narrative, basic stage craft, mime and role play
techniques, character development and performance skills. A singing
workshop will be offered each term. Students will participate in an
annual production.
Time: Saturday 9.00 – 10.30 a.m.
Cost: $120 per term
Class size: Maximum 18
Room allocation: Q1&Q2
Tutors: Drama - Lynn Dyer; Dance - Kim Reynolds
Music - Iain Hogg.
Senior Primary Caters for Grades 5 – 7
This class aims at developing confidence, creativity, imagination,
co-ordination, team work, creative movement, extending the narrative,
stage craft, mime and improvisation techniques, character development
and performance skills for stage and film & T.V. A singing workshop will
be offered each term. Students will participate in an
annual musical production.
Times: Saturday 10.30a.m. - 12.00
Cost: $140 per term
Class sizes: Maximum 20
Room allocation: Q1&2
Tutors: Drama - Lynn Dyer; Dance - Kim Reynolds; Music - Iain Hogg.
Acting for the Stage Caters for High School students wishing to pursue a career in acting.
To meet the demands of the highly competitive nature of the enter-
tainment industry, this is an intensive, production-based course that
requires a high level of commitment, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, a
willingness to learn and self-discipline.
This class aims at developing a high level of skills in acting; voice,
movement and improvisation. They will gain a practical understand-
ing of the skills required to pursue a professional career as an actor.
Times: Wednesday 5.00 – 7.00p.m.
Cost: $150 per term
Class Size: Maximum 18
Room allocation: Q1
Tutor: Amy-Louise Anderson
Junior Musical Theatre Caters for students Grade 8 – 9 (Grade 7 by invitation or audition
only) looking towards a career in Musical Theatre and the entertain-
ment industry. To meet the demands of the highly competitive nature
of the entertainment industry, this is an intensive, production-based
course that requires a high level of commitment, enthusiasm, a posi-
tive attitude, a willingness to learn and self-discipline.
This class aims at developing a high level of skills in acting, singing
and dance required for performance in Musical Theatre. It is a produc-
tion-based course where students learn primarily by rehearsing and
performing in a full-scale musical. In this way they consolidate skills in
acting, voice and dance relevant to the focus of the selected produc-
tion.
Time: Tuesday 4.30-6.30 p.m.
Cost: $220 per term
Class Size: Maximum 30 (to 3 teachers)
Room allocation: Q1
Tutors: Acting – Lynn Dyer; Dancing – Kim Reynolds; Singing – Matt
Dennett
Senior Musical Theatre
Caters for students Grade 10 – 12 (Grade 9 by invitation or audition only)
looking towards a career in Musical Theatre and the entertainment indus-
try. To meet the demands of the highly competitive nature of the entertain-
ment industry, this is an intensive, production-based course that requires a
high level of commitment, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, a willingness to
learn and self-discipline.
This class aims at developing a high level of skills in acting, singing and
dance required for performance in Musical Theatre. It is a production-
based course where students learn primarily by rehearsing and performing
in a full-scale musical. In this way they consolidate skills in acting, voice
and dance relevant to the focus of the selected production.
Time: Tuesday 5.00-7.00 p.m.
Cost: $220 per term
Class Size: Maximum 30 (to 3 teachers)
Room Allocation: Q1
Tutors: Acting – Lynn Dyer; Dancing – Kim Reynolds; Singing – Matt
Dennett
N.A.P.A Performance Troupe
Caters for students with exceptional abilities in singing and dancing. This
class provides performance opportunities for performers who have had ex-
tensive music and dance training. Due to the high demands and intensive
program, these classes are available to students from grades 4—12 by
audition or invite only. The students will be participating in eisteddfods and
community events. Classes will be divided into Junior and Senior.
Junior Time: Saturday 12.15—1.15 pm
Senior Time: Wednesday 4.30—5.30 pm
Cost: $100 per term
Class Size: Maximum 20
Room Allocation: Q2
Tutor: Kim Reynolds
Beginners Tap Class
As a response to enquiries into this form of dance, we are trialing this class
in 2009. The formation of these classes will depend on expressions of in-
terest. The proposed classes will take place as the following:
Junior Time: Saturday 1.30—2.15 pm
Senior Time: Wednesday 5.30—6.15 pm
Cost: $80 per term
Class Size: Maximum 20
Room Allocation: Hall
Tutor: Kim Reynolds
Certificate Courses
Caters for Primary and High School students wishing to participate in
the Trinity Guildhall external examination, to gain credentials in Per-
formance in Acting and/or Musical Theatre.
Trinity Guildhall: is the result of an amalgamation of two interna-
tional examination boards, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
and Trinity College London. Guildhall and Trinity Diplomas are recog-
nised worldwide throughout the profession. These two innovative or-
ganisations bring together a combined experience of over two centu-
ries to establish a comprehensive and effective external examination
service for performing arts education in the 21st century. Trinity Guild-
hall examinations will reach a third of a million candidates in over fifty
countries. It will embrace new technology, the inclusion of multi-ethnic
and multi-cultural traditions, the advancement of syllabuses and pub-
lications and the evolution of a wider range of examinations and
higher awards.
N.A.P.A. is proud to be affiliated with this organisation and will offer
tuition for Senior Primary students in preparation for the Intermediate
Performers’ Certificate (students will need to achieve Grade 4 stan-
dard as a prerequisite), and for High School students, tuition to pre-
pare for the Senior Performers’ Certificate (students will need to
achieve Grade 8 as a prerequisite). These Certificates can be in Act-
ing or Musical Theatre. Prerequisite standards will also be conducted
through N.A.P.A. if required.
Times: To be negotiated individually
Cost: $35 a lesson + External Exam fees
Class Size: Individual
Room Allocation: Q2, Q3 and J2
Tutor: Adam King (Singing) Kim Reynolds (Dancing) Amy-Louise
Anderson (Acting)
ABOUT THE FEES
What do the fees include? Tuition from highly qualified teachers, with extensive and varied
performance backgrounds. Fees are not worked out on a weekly basis (some terms are
longer than others) it is calculated on a full year’s tuition with 4 installments. This is due to the
varied demands throughout the year. Therefore, fees include: tuition, rehearsals, administra-
tion costs, insurance, reprographics, a Newsletter each term, free admission to matinee per-
formances of our shows, rehearsal CDs and equipment used.
How and when are fees to be paid? Fees are due in the first 4 weeks of each term. Student
places cannot be held after this time. Fees can be paid by cheque, cash or Direct Deposit.
Direct Deposit details are as follows: Institution – Heritage; Account name – National Academy
of Performing Arts; BSB No. 638-060; Account No. 10330879. If you are going to do this
please email us or give to us the remittance advice.
Discount Opportunities
A $10 discount will be given to those who pay in the first 2 weeks of term.
If you have more than one child attending N.A.P.A., every child after the first enrolment will
receive a $10 discount.
Costume Fees: Specialty costumes for productions will be factored into production costs and
will hopefully be covered by ticket sales. However, there will be a $10 hire fee of any
costumes provided by N.A.P.A. This will cover laundering and repairs. Some students may
wish to purchase their own costumes and keep them for their own performance wardrobe.
Parents will need to let staff know what they want to do when a description of the costume has
been given. Directors of N.A.P.A. specifically select productions that do not have a heavy
demand on costumes.
ABOUT CLASS REQUIREMENTS
What to wear: Students need to come in casual clothing suitable for freedom of movement
(e.g. dance pants, shorts, dance shoes, joggers, sand shoes etc). We ask that students wear
their N.A.P.A. T-shirts to classes when possible.
What to Bring: Water – some activities are very physical and students need to replenish fluids
frequently. We do have a mini canteen for the ‘treats’ and coffee, tea and magazines are avail-
able on Saturdays for parents who wish to stay and relax in the courtyard.
What not to bring: Friends and any material that will detract from being focused on the lesson
e.g. computer games, toys, jewelry etc. Visiting children can be a great distraction and does
not allow students to perform to the best of their ability, however, if you have a homestay
student from overseas, they are welcome as it is part of their cultural exchange. Mobile phones
are also a problem but if they need to have them for you to contact them, please have them
turned on silent.
Absenteeism It is important that students see their classes as a serious commitment. The
scaffolding of skill work has been carefully planned and students who miss a week will miss
some valuable training. However, if your child is ill please keep them home as classes are very
active, also we don’t want illness to spread. Please contact us if your child will not be attending
at any time.
Proposed Productions for
2009
N.A.P.A is a production based training institution. We pride ourselves on our high quality and
numerous productions that we have staged since the beginning of our company. However, due
to the high demands on volunteers for our productions, high production costs and high de-
mands on all our N.A.P.A. families to attend so many productions we are going to trial a com-
bined large scale production (allotted scenes and characters will be assigned to different
classes) and a couple of smaller scaled productions for 2009.
We are currently applying for Rights for the following pro-
ductions:
The Wiz
4, 5 & 6 December
Our large scale production for
Lil NAPAs, Junior & Senior Pri-
mary and Junior Musical Theatre
classes.
The Return to
the
Forbidden
Planet
23 & 24 October
Senior Musical Theatre Class
THREEPENNY
OPERA
21 & 22 August
Acting Class
TERM DATES
Sign On Days: Saturday 17 January between 10a.m. – 12p.m.
or Thursday 22 January between 5p.m. – 7p.m.
If you have any enquiries or wish to discuss classes that best meet the needs of your child it is
suggested that you complete the enrolment form and attend one of the sign on days. Alternatively,
you can complete the enrolment form on our web site and e-mail it to us.
Classes will begin and end during the following weeks:
Term 1:
1st week – The week starting 31.01.09
Last week – The week ending 8.04.09
Term 2:
1st week – The week starting 21.04.09
Last week – The week ending 24.06.09
Term 3:
1st week – The week starting 14.07.09
Last week – The week ending 16.09.09
Term 4:
1st week – The week starting 6.10.09
Last week – The week ending 5.12.09
Gala Awards Ceremony
6 December @ 5.00 pm
ABOUT COMMUNICATION
Our main form of communication is through our Newsletter. It is very important that par-
ents make sure they receive and read their Newsletters. Previous confusion around re-
hearsal times, social events and organisational matters have been a result of parents not thor-
oughly reading their newsletter or letters sent home. We urge you to make a 2008 resolution
to read thoroughly all communication sent home.
Our Newsletter is also a means by which we can showcase achievements of our students.
This does not always have to do with achievements in the Performing Arts, we are proud of all
that they achieve, whether it be academic, sporting or a community achievements. It is also
very rewarding for them to see their name, photo and efforts in print, so please email us any-
thing you’d like us to include in the Newsletter. Email address is newsletter@napa.com.au
Feedback is also vital to the success of how we deliver quality tuition to your child. We value
your input as it helps us to evaluate your child’s response and make adjustments where nec-
essary. Your positive feedback was an inspiration in 2008 and it has encouraged us to reach
even higher standards for 2009. However, we also want to hear if your child is experiencing
any problems within the class or you need clarification of any confused messages being
brought home. The best way to do this is either to see us personally after the class or call us.
Phone contacts are as follows:
Amy-Louise Anderson 0407799983
Lynn Dyer 0414268800
Iain Hogg 0438319638
Adam King 0423315992
Kim Reynolds 0424386277
N.A.P.A.’s
Postal Address: P.O. Box 268
Mudgeeraba 4213
Business address:Merrimac SHS
Performing Arts Block
Dunlop Crt
Mermaid Waters 4218
Web Site: www.napa.com.au
Email Address: enquiries@napa.com.au