Weekly Update, May 24, 2011

by Nikita Mendonca, NPAC staff


This week was extremely busy but very encouraging for the NPAC students, and especially for me as an NPAC graduate assistant. It was heartwarming to watch the NPAC students wave signs warning the community against the dangers of drinking under the influence on Thursday May 19 and Friday May 20. 


The students cheerfully walked down Nanakuli Avenue from NHIS to Nanakuli Beach Park despite the unpredictable weather, and plans to attend graduations and various other events in the evening. It was amazing to see twenty plus students laughing cheerfully while rallying the community through song and dance from the side of the road. I'm filled with pride at the thought that the NPAC students are willing to give back to the community and are appreciative of the many efforts put forth to send them to the Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival.


On another note, it's been confirmed! PBS is sending a crew to Edinburgh, Scotland to document our Fringe Festival adventure! I'm both excited and a bit apprehensive about this new development. First, I am ecstatic that the community will be able to see the NPAC students in action as they represent Hawaii. It is really important that we are able to share this special experience with the people who made it possible for so many students. Especially since a year ago, no one believed that performing in Scotland would ever become a reality. On the other hand, I was never comfortable on the other end of the camera, and the idea of myself and the rest of the NPAC members being filmed for the duration of the trip is a bit overwhelming and unexpected. The only saving grace is comfort in the knowledge that the students are busy rehearsing everyday for our Scotland performance. It's clear that the goal is to make Hawaii proud.


To end the busy week, NPAC members performed at the Arthritis Walk on Magic Island this Sunday, May 22. Although it began to rain before and during our performance, the NPAC members persevered and had a blast performing for everyone present. It was also nice to run into our friends, A Touch of Gold, who kindly recognized us during their performance. It's awesome to have professional performers as mentors and supporters of the NPAC.


It's been a busy week, but things will get busier for the NPAC. The NPAC is averaging two performances every week in addition to our regular rehearsal schedule. In addition, we've had more organizations requesting for us to perform as well as KGMB and KHNL offering to feature the NPAC on its news show. NPACs has a busy and productive road before it, and we are looking forward to what the future has to offer.

PBS Hawaii Television to Create Documentary on NPAC and Fringe

PBS Hawaii Television will be sending a two man video crew to accompany the NPAC on its Fringe Festival performance.  The purpose is to create a documentary on the NPAC's experience at the Fringe Festival.  We are so honored to have award winning director, Roy Kimura, heading this project.

The whole experience of performing at the Fringe Festival has exceeded all of our expectations and we have not even left the island yet.

Weekly Update, May 16, 2011

by Andrew Hahn, NPAC staff member


This week was amazing. Let's start from Monday. After a long month of recovery and torture for me I jumped back into action for everything. As soon as I walked in I was determined to catch up on what I missed. I learned Freak The Freak Out and I can honestly say I was so drained jumping back into the dancing scene that I fell asleep early that night. I give the students credit for learning the moves and to the choreographer for coming up with these hard hitting moves. But I'm glad to be back and back in the groove.

Tuesday we had to set up sound system and record Momilani Elementary school's dress rehearsal of their 3rd Grade production of The Math Masters. Then Wednesday was Momilani's production debut of The Math Masters. They had a morning performance to showcase to the students of the school. The performance was really cute. I think the alumni can agree with me when I say its a catchy song that'll stay in your head :) we will just walk around and start singing "We love math..we love math..we love math..we are the math masters." Soon after the morning performance of The Math Masters, the Principal of Momilani had let us join the 5th and 6th graders for their session of zumba. First time doing zumba for me, but I was so happy and so tired right after..haha. Then we had an amazing and fun lunch at Dennys thanks to Mr. Kitsu :) Then later went back to Momilani to record their 2nd show at night for the parents of the performers. After their amazing and cute performance, we, the staff, hopped on the bus to go back to Nanakuli and pulled up to Nanakuli McDonalds for dinner in our awesome big bus that had 7 passengers inside. This is a day we will never forget.

Thursday, we created more signs that'll let people know to not drink and drive but to drive safely and responsibly since some were ruined because of the rain last Friday. Then on Friday, we were scheduled to wave signs again but we had to cancel again, but this time it was because of a flash flood warning. But later it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day :) We were just being safe since it was a flash flood warning (sunny day lol.) So we are scheduled to wave signs on May 19 and 20 from 4pm to 5pm at the bottom of Nanakuli Avenue (hopefully if it doesn't rain =P lol). So please feel free to show your support and honk your horns at the NPAC students and staff :)

Finally Sunday we had the privelage to perform at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival. It was basically for the kids. They had characters such as Curious George, Clifford The Big Red Dog, and Caillou. It was an amazing turnout. So NPAC does what they do best and entertained the crowd and more people started coming around. We had positive compliments from Castle High Schools Performing Arts. We also wanted to say hi to our friends from Mid-Pacific Institute of Performing Arts but they were working as the characters walking around. Some of the NPAC members did take photos with the characters. But overall it was another fun experience for the students and staff of the Nanakuli Performing Arts Center. But the school year isnt over yet, we hope to see you at future performances :)

Week in Review, May 7, 2011

by Shaylene Curtis, NPAC cast member


This week was nothing short of amazing. On Wednesday we had the pleasure of getting to work with Cassie, Paloma, and Wayles of Liz Lerman's Dance Exchange program. Man, did they get us to move! The cast had an incredible time. They taught us different techniques of choreographing. I, personally, learned that choreography is feeling, it is emotion. We went around in a circle and said things that were "on the inside" of us or "on the outside". We took some of them and then turned it into a routine. We even took someone being hungry and wanting curly fries and turned it into a dance move! I didn't know that was possible! Cassie, Paloma, and Wayles gave us rejuvenating compliments that made us proud to be.. Well, us! 

On Friday, we were all set and ready to go and hold signs to remind people to drive safely, graduate safely, and celebrate safely. The weather was so unpredictable, and half way down Nanakuli Ave., it started POURING!  I have never felt rain coming down so hard!  We booked it back up to the school, but we didn't get out of that dry.  If you went into the girls bathroom after this, you'd probably crack up.  A bunch of girls, including myself, decided to kick it in the bathroom.  It was surprisingly the warmest place in the building! 

Saturday. What a glorious day. Jamie and Scott's wedding.  I have never been so overjoyed, tired, excited, drained, and ecstatic.  All at the same time! I was so honored to be a part of something so wonderful. We were all teary-eyed watching (and filming and taking pictures of) the ceremony.  Despite the uncontrollable weather conditions (and MUD!!!) there was a great turn out of their family and friends.  Our performance was SO MUCH FUN! One number we performed, "Feeling good", was Alice and I's first time being in that number.  We hadn't really rehearsed that much and we were SO nervous!  But everything turned out all right and we had a blast!  The "Banzai" was hilarious!  We all participated with our Pepsi's and Sierra Mists. Mr. Kitsu made a beautiful slideshow, which we all sang along to. Then... There was dancing! We were all delirious by this point and the men stole the floor with "Single Ladies".  Us girls we so unbelievably jealous.  But Deja got it back with her Michael Jackson moves.  Our bus came a while later and it was back home to Nanakuli for us! 

Wow, was our week packed. I know I had a blast! :)

Week in Review, May 1, 2011

by Richlynd Cabinatan Higa, NPAC cast member

This week in NPAC, was pretty awesome. We choreographed two new numbers, "Grenade" by Bruno Mars and "Freak the Freak Out," by Victoria Justice.

These numbers are usually for our touring cast shows. I can actually see the new kids changing (in a good way) and learning new things, most of all, having fun. 

We were also treated by Alu Like to see the movie "Soul Surfer." I'd like to thank Alu Like for paying for our bus and tickets, much aloha ♥ :) because this movie was AMAZING! It taught me that, no matter what you do or what struggles you have in life, always have faith and that anything is possible if you just believe and try your best.  Also to NEVER give up and always always, follow your dreams.

Another bonus added to our day was that we got to see Pearl City High School's production of " JEKYLL & HYDE."  This was the first time I had ever seen Pearl City Drama perform a real musical play. 

My honest opinion was that their performance was the best I've ever seen in my life. The students' characterization, vocals, enunciation,  and even the focus they had, made me keep wanting to watch. They pulled it off REALLY well. I'm so proud and thankful I got to see them perform such a great and challenging show. 

Lastly, NPAC performed on Sunday, May 1 at the Hawaii Convention Center Art Awards. This performance was fun, as usual, but we ran into some criticism about our song selections not being appropriate for young children.  We thought the audience was the same as the other art award performance.  All we could do was apologize and move on and we all enjoyed ourselves.  We did have audience members who did cheer for us and even sang along to several of the songs.

There was also an anime convention going on at the Hawaii Convention Center and several cast members took photos with some interesting creatures.