LEARN MORE ABOUT NHPAA
The Newport Harbor Performing Arts Academy (NHPAA) is the pathway to the Performing Arts at Newport Harbor High School. We deliver unparalleled excellence in the four core performance arts: Theatre, Dance, Vocal Music, and Instrumental Music. Our dedicated, professional staff bring wisdom and specialized instruction to our classrooms while preparing students to deliver sophisticated and creative performances.
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Community and acceptance no matter your background or level of experience is one of the most crucial parts of the performing arts, and we are proud to embrace that here at NHPAA. Whether you are a lifelong performer or just want to try something new, we have a high caliber class, production, or ensemble ready for you!
TOUR OUR FACILITIES
The Norman R. Loats Performing Arts Center
ROBERT B. WENTZ THEATRE
The Robert B. Wentz Theatre is our state of the art, 500 seat mainstage. It is equipped with an orchestra pit, tech booth, and expansive technical system. This performance space also houses our dressing rooms, green room, costume workshop, and scene shop. It is utilized by all of our departments for various productions and concerts each season.
BLACK BOX THEATRE
The Black Box Theater is our intimate 75 seat performance space. It is equipped with a tech booth and full lighting/sound system. The Black Box is also utilized as a rehearsal space for our Theatre Department throughout the season.
PIANO LAB
Our Piano Lab is the newest edition to the Loats PAC! The space houses 24 electric pianos with headsets for individualized practice abilities and an instructor piano.
VOCAL MUSIC STUDIO
The Vocal Music Studio is fully soundproofed and features 3 tiered risers for optimal choral rehearsals, a concert grand piano, student practice rooms, and a music library. This space is utilized by our Vocal Music Department throughout the season.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ROOM
Our fully soundproofed Instrumental Music room offers ample practice space for our marching band, concert band, and orchestra. It is fully equipped with top of the line instruments, chairs and music stands as well as instrument storage lockers and student practice rooms.
DANCE STUDIO
The Dance Studio offers 700 sq ft of rehearsal space for our Dance Department. Features include two fully mirrored walls and state of the art marley flooring.
MEET OUR TEAM
LISSA SLAY
THEATRE
ANDY JULIAN
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
ANDREW HERNANDEZ
PIANO & VOCAL MUSIC
MACKENZIE MAC FARLANE
DANCE
JOINING NEWPORT HARBOR PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY
is as easy as...
1. PICK A CLASS OR PRODUCTION
All Newport Harbor students are free to join whichever performing arts classes they are interested in. You can choose from our Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre, or Dance disciplines with options to interweave between different electives. This means you could be a full-time vocal music student while also taking dance and theatre!*
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NHPAA productions and performance opportunities not associated with a class are open to all who audition (mainstage musicals + plays, open mic nights, etc).
*Subject to schedule availability.
2. MEET THE REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in a class or join a production/performance opportunity at NHPAA you must maintain good academic standing with all academic courses at Newport Harbor. This means a minimum GPA of 2.0, a well-maintained attendance record, and an "on track for graduation" status. Certain advanced level courses may have more specific requirements than outlined above.
Our productions/performance opportunities may also require concurrent enrollment in a class (Arries, Vocal Music concerts, etc.) or an audition (stage plays, musicals, open mic nights, etc). *
*NOT required for all classes
3. TALK TO YOUR COUNSELOR OR AUDITION!
Enrolling in our classes is easy! Some classes require placement auditions and some are sign-up only (no audition required). For the most up-to-date information check out the class offerings and information on each department's page of this website!
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Once you have decided which classes you want to join, you can either email the department director for an audition slot or ask your counselor to enroll in the class. Both sign-up AND audition only classes require you to talk to your counselor about fitting them into your class schedule prior to enrollment. There are options to take classes as a 6th, 7th, or 8th class.* We can't wait for you to join NHPAA!
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*Subject to counselor approval. Performing Arts classes
meet throughout periods 1-8 at NHHS.
