NPAC 2023-2024 REGISTRATION INFO . . . Read NPAC Expectations below and click on the registration link. We will email the parent/guardian with confirmation. 

Click on the link: NPAC Registration

 

NĀNĀKULI HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 2023-2024 

 

The Nānākuli High and Intermediate School Performing Arts Center is open to any public school and public charter school students in grades 1 to 12. No private or homeschool students are eligible to register. Classes run from Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 6 pm and some Saturdays and evenings. Mondays will be added as we head into performances and as needed.

 

Please note that a student’s rehearsal schedule will depend on what role student gets in a particular production. However, dress rehearsals are mandatory for all students.

 

Our 2023-2024 Season is as follows:

 

• November 9-12 and 16-19, 2023: iHula: A dramatic play written by local playwright Ryan “Oki” Okinaka that features hula, mele, and aloha in a story that follows four women to discover the true meaning of hula. Students in the Encore Program will be eligible to audition.

• February 16-18, 2024: "Believe" musical showcase featuring song and dance numbers. All students will be in this show. Performance at the Pearl City Cultural Center Auditorium.

• April 12-14 and 19-21, 2024: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. . . students will audition for roles but the expectation is all Encore students can be cast in this show.

• Touring Shows: September 2022 to May 2023: Various musical revue performances around the island for select cast.

 

COMMITMENT and a “TEAM” ATTITUDE is the key to a successful production:

 

• If you are a member of other organizations in school or in the community, your schedule may have conflicts and your participation in the production may become a problem.  Thus, you need to seriously consider your decision to be a part of NPAC.  If at any time you think you many have a problem that interferes with your commitment to the Performing Arts program, please see me as soon as possible to work it out.

• Also important is the team concept. It does not matter if you are a lead actor or singer or a chorus person, everyone is important.  

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

 

• Student must be enrolled between grades 1 to 12 from any public school.

• Students must attend all scheduled rehearsals and mandatory Dress, Saturday/evening rehearsals, unless cleared with director.  

• Dress Rehearsals are mandatory; thus if you have a weekly class (e.g. hula or athletics), you must make arrangements to miss that class to attend the dress rehearsal.  Student will be dropped from production if absent from dress rehearsal.

• Any unexcused absence or excessive tardies will result in the student being dropped from the program.  

• If there is an emergency or illness, please contact Chloe or Mr. Kitsu immediately.  Notify us as soon as possible of any conflicts that come up in your schedule.

• All DOE/Chapter 19 rules apply during any participation with NPAC; this includes rehearsals, performances, and other activities.  Students will follow directions of director and all NPAC staff members.  A student may be dropped from the program for attitude and/or physical violence/behavior problems, and school disciplinary consequences.  

 

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION:

 

NPAC has several different programs to accommodate the interest and commitment level of the students.  Please note that each program is based on commitment level not ability level.  Each program has different goals and benefits and will require different time commitments.

 

NPAC Kids (NK): This is only for students who are in grades 1-3; these students will be scheduled only on Wednesdays. If the NPAC staff feels like your child is ready to move up to the Encore Program, an invitation will be offered if your child is willing to come on more days. NK will be eligible to audition for the spring musical in the second semester with the understanding that they will have to commit to more than one day a week. NK will focus on song and dance for our musical showcase show as well. Students will be required to meet extra days the week of the show as well as attend all mandatory dress rehearsals.

 

Workshop Program (WP):  This is for students in grades 4-12, who can only come to 1 rehearsal per week on Wednesdays. This is focused on song and dance performances for our musical showcase show.  Students will be required to meet extra days the week of the show as well as attend all mandatory dress rehearsals.

 

• Benefits:  

  • Students learn at least two group dance/vocal numbers and perform number in a public performance. Student only needs to come to 1 rehearsal per week till week before performance where they will need to meet more often.

 

• Limitations:  

  • Students only perform in limited role (one or two numbers) and only in group numbers.

  • Students (in middle/high school) cannot earn elective credit.

  • Students do not qualify for various activities such as out of state trips, etc.

 

Encore Program (EP):  This is for students in grades 4-12, who have the commitment and serious interest in the performing arts.  Students in grades 1-3 are only allowed into this level of the NPAC program via invitation only. Students will meet 3 to 5 times a week and will include some weekends and evenings.  Focus on group/ensemble dance and vocals and be considered for musical solo performances.  Students will also qualify to participate in dramatic production.  This group will also be considered for casting in Musical Theatre productions.

 

• Benefits:  

  • Students learn several group/ensemble dance/vocal numbers and perform numbers in a public performance.

  • Students will be considered for solo performances.

  • Students will qualify to audition for Musical Theatre productions.

  • Students qualify for various activities such as out of state trips, etc.

  • Students (in middle/high school) can earn elective credit.

 

• Limitations:  

  • Students must attend at least three to five times a week and some weekends and evenings.

 

Performance Company (PC):  This is for selected students who demonstrate commitment, focus, and ability to handle the rigor of public performances. This will be the group that will represent NPAC at public performances at shopping centers and private events.  Students will be invited to participate in this company.  This will require time flexibility as often NPAC is invited throughout the year to perform at special events such as Governor David Ige’s Inauguration Celebration, Hawaii Milken Teacher’s Luncheon and others.

 

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

 

• Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; in addition, evening, holiday, and weekend rehearsals will be scheduled as performances gets near or as needed.  Depending on which program your child is enrolled in, it may require only 1 day a week to up to 5 days a week.

• Dress rehearsals are REQUIRED.  If student does not attend dress rehearsals, student may be dropped from production/performance.

 

DRESS CODE:  Students are to dress in t-shirts and shorts and have footwear such as sneakers.  If student continues to wear clothing that is inappropriate for rehearsals, student may be dropped from program.  Students can bring change of clothes to rehearsal.

 

REHEARSAL VISITORS:  We ask parents, families, and friends to wait outside or return at the end of the rehearsal.  We want to make the environment as comfortable as possible and with strangers watching, students can feel uncomfortable.  We will hold a parent preview rehearsal on a Saturday as we get close to each musical production so parents can see what their children have been working on.

 

COST TO STUDENT:

 

• No cost to participate in the class, students are expected to sell tickets and/or participate in fundraisers to help cover cost for costumes and other items for productions.  

• Students will have the opportunity to sell tickets and other fundraising activities, the students will also benefit by receiving credit for each item sold.

 

ASSIGNMENT OF ROLES (CASTING):

 

• The director will decide on casting of roles and of musical numbers.  The director has the right to make role changes at any time.  

• We will attempt to cast any production with students who are registered in NPAC but if we do not have enough students, we will open up to other students.

• Any conflicts with role, costume, and make-up assignment may result in being dropped from the production and/or program.  

 

HAIR/MAKEUP:

 

• Costumes and make-up decisions will be assigned by the director. 

• Any conflicts with role, costume, and make-up assignment may result in being dropped from the production and/or program.  

• NPAC’s philosophy is that no student should stand up amongst the rest; thus the hair is a symbol of commitment to the program. Students will check with directors before changing hairstyles, color of hair or other types of changes to appearance as it may affect casting assignments.

• No makeup for performances without director’s approval, failure to get approval may prohibit student from performing.

 

STRIKING OF SET/CAFÉ (cleaning up after each production):

 

Students are required to help with clean up and storage of props, equipment, costumes after every performance.  If student fails to fulfill this responsibility, student may be dropped from the program.  Parents/Guardians please be aware that your child will not be able to leave the performance till all duties of strike are completed.

 

FUNDRAISING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES:

 

One of the goals of the Performing Arts program is to help students develop their interest and skills in the performing arts through field trips and workshops.  In the past, the Performing Arts program has seen productions of “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Grease”, “Wicked”, and has also taken students to the mainland on a theater and career education tour.  Consequently, students participate in various fundraising activities throughout the year to help pay for the cost of these activities as well as to pay for any participation fees.  Students are CREDITED with the appropriate profits from various fund raising activities that can be applied to the cost of the activity, field trip, or participation fees.  

 

If your child decides to quit or is dropped from the program, then your child cannot go on the activity and all monies credited go back to the Performing Arts program.  Your child must also meet all attendance/participation requirements or may be ineligible for the activities.

 

FIELD TRIPS TRIP REQUIREMENTS:

 

Enrolled in qualifying program and participation in productions at time of field trip:  If the student is not selected in the audition, then the student must assist in the creation of sets (backdrops), backstage, tech/lighting, clean up, set up, and any other duties.  Attendance requirements apply. 

 

OUT OF STATE TRIP ELIGIBILITY:

 

1) A minimum of one-year continuous participation in the Performing Arts Program and in qualifying level.  This is to ensure that the students who participate in the out of state trip are those who are committed to the program and not joining to go on the trip.  

 

2) Maintain 2.0 GPA eligibility at the end of each quarter.  Failure to meet requirement may be cause for student to be ineligible for the trip.  Any F for any course (year or semester) may be cause for student to be ineligible for the trip.

 

3) Elementary students in grades 4 and below must apply to participate in any trip.

 

4) Trips are not a family vacation and students must particpate with NPAC group and will not be allowed to go off with family members.

 

PERFORMING ARTS FOR CREDIT:

 

Performing Arts is also offered as an after school period elective credit for students of NHIS.  The YEAR class will be held in conjunction with the after school Performing Arts program.  Students who sign up for this course will be held to the same standards as any other class with attendance, participation, and completion of requirements for the course as the determination of the grade.  Students can receive 1 elective credit if students meet requirements of the class.

 

BE AWARE:  Once you sign up for the for this credit course you will be given a grade.  Therefore, if you stop attending class or fail to fulfill the requirements, you will receive an F and it will affect your GPA and be on your records unless you go through class withdrawal procedures.  In addition, in the event you are dropped from the Performing Arts productions, you will also be dropped from the class.

 

For students from other schools, please check with your registrar for information regarding credit for the Performing Arts program. An additional permission form will be distributed for taking NPAC for credit.

 

NPAC SOCIAL MEDIA FOR COMMUNICATION PURPOSES:

 

NPAC maintains several private Facebook groups:  NPAC Parents, NPAC Advisory . . . we use these private groups to share updates, pictures, videos, electronic copies of handouts, and as a major communication tool to parents and students.  If you have a Facebook account and would like to be included in these private groups, please friend request Robin Kitsu and message me your child’s name and we will add you to these groups.

 

USE OF STUDENT IMAGE:

 

To document and demonstrate student achievement, NHIS and the DOE may videotape, photograph, or otherwise record names, voices, and/or student(s) and/or their work for educational use.  These recordings will be used exclusively for non-commercial, educational purposes, which may include distribution by digital media and open-circuit (broadcast), closed circuit, web streaming and posting of media on school web page via the Internet, and/or cable television transmission within or outside of the state of Hawaii in perpetuity.  Please read and sign release forms that will be distributed during first week of class.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Again, we are happy that your child is interested in being a part of NPAC; however, your child must be committed, and we ask for your support in this area.  We will update rehearsal schedule as needed and notify you asap of any changes.  Also, emergencies happen which will cause us to cancel rehearsals, thus please make sure we have cell phone contact number, email address, and/or home phone to inform you of any last-minute changes.

 

Thank you for your time and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Mr. Kitsu and Chloe Kitsu

Directors

 

Mr. Kitsu Email:  robin.kitsu@k12.hi.us

Chloe Kitsu Email: chloekitsu@gmail.com