NPAC NYC TOUR 2019 PRE-TRIP BLOG

The city that never sleeps. Aloha Kakou, my name is Alysia Kepaa and I am going to be a senior at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. The first time that I went to New York was with NPAC. It was an amazing trip and I am very fortunate enough to go a second time.

The first time I went I had a blast, we went to see three Broadway shows which was Kinky Boots, Miss Saigon, and Waitress. Those shows had me blown away. We also got to visit three colleges which was Juilliard, NYU and Columbia University.

I am very excited to see four Broadway shows, Mean Girls, Ain’t Too Proud, Dear Evan Hansen, and Be More Chill. I have been waiting to see Dear Evan Hansen ever since I had listened to their soundtrack. The music and singing blew me away. I’m sad that we won’t be participating in a Broadway workshop due to the low number of students going on this trip, but I know that by watching the four Broadway shows and possibly getting to meet some of the performers, it will be a great learning experience for everyone.

But I can’t wait to go back and visit more places and stores. I can’t wait to go to Schmackary's, I’ve heard that they have the best cookies in New York City and I can’t wait to try them. I want to see the FAO Schwarz Toy Store, because the last time we went up they were closed and I was so sad. But now that we are going up again I’m hopeful that they still have the store open so that I could play the well known song “Heart and Soul” on the giant piano. I want to see the actual Tiffany’s store, that Breakfast at Tiffany’s took place. I would love to see the Pulitzer Fountain where numerous films were shot at, such as “Friends,” though it was shot in a studio, but it still would be great to see the fountain. Build-A-Bear Workshop — I’ve always wanted to create my own stuffed animal in NYC. Dylan's Candy Bar because of the numerous amount of candies.

But I am excited to see Juilliard again, which is an amazing school for the Performing Arts. I am excited to do the NBC Studios and Rockefeller Center tour again because I had a blast. Though I do hope that we can go to the Lego Store so that I can recreate a picture of me and the lego cat.

So I can’t wait for June 25 to come as we begin our journey to New York City.