Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
This image is the logo of Edith Cowan University's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Established1980 (1980)
Parent institution
Edith Cowan University
AffiliationCILECT
DirectorDavid Shirley
Students1,287[1]
Address
500 Wellington Street
,
Perth
,
Western Australia
,
Australia
CampusUrban
Colours Dark purple [2]
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
This image is the logo for Edith Cowan University used by its constituent school the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a performing arts school located in the heart of the Perth CBD, Western Australia. Established in 1980,[3] it is notable for being the most comprehensive performing arts school in Australia by disciplines of study and has produced some of Australia's most prominent graduates in the field.[4][5]

In early 2026, WAAPA completed its historic move to the ECU City campus[6]. Designed by architectural firm Lyons, the "vertical campus" is situated at the Perth City Link adjacent to Yagan Square. The precinct features the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence, which houses six world-class performance venues and hosts over 300 public performances annually. The campus is a centerpiece of the Perth City Deal, positioned directly above the underground Perth Busport and adjacent to the Perth railway station to maximise public accessibility.

As of 2019, the executive dean of the school is Prof David Shirley FRSA.[7] Prior to being assigned, he was the director of the Manchester School of Theatre and chair of the Federation of Drama Schools in the United Kingdom.[8]

Courses

It offers study and research programs in acting, screen performance, arts and cultural management, dance (classical ballet and contemporary dance), music (in various fields of instrumental and voice performance, composition and school teacher education), theatre (including directing and musical theatre), production (including production design, costume design, lighting, props and scenery, sound and stage management) and other fields of performing arts.[9]

It also offers a vocational program in Aboriginal performance and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research program with an integrated "performance, exhibition, event or an embodiment of some form".[10][11] Broadcasting is now taught in the School of Communications and Arts of ECU. Originally an initiative of the state government, the academy receives funding from both the State and Commonwealth governments.[12]

Public performances

WAAPA presents an extensive annual public performance program featuring over 300 shows across all disciplines. Since 2026, these productions have been primarily centered at the academy's new home within the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence at the ECU City campus. The move to the Perth CBD has integrated the academy’s performance calendar into the city's cultural precinct, utilizing the campus's state-of-the-art theatres for everything from classical orchestral concerts to contemporary dance and experimental drama.

In addition to the ECU City venues, the academy maintains strong partnerships with external performance spaces. Productions and events continue to be staged at various venues across Western Australia, including the Regal Theatre, Ellington Jazz Club, Luna Leederville, Government House Ballroom, The Blue Room Theatre, and the Albany Entertainment Centre.

Venues and facilities

In February 2026, WAAPA relocated to the ECU City campus, a $853 million vertical university precinct located at the Perth City Link in the central business district. The 65,000sqm campus features a highly advanced acoustic environment, utilizing "box-in-box" engineering to isolate its primary performance venues.[13]

The academy features six flagship public performance spaces designed for professional-grade training and public engagement:

Playhouse Theatre: A 238-seat venue featuring a traditional proscenium arch, serving as the main home for drama, musical theatre, and opera.

Recital Hall: A 368-seat premier acoustic space tailored for orchestral, chamber, and choral music.

Flex Theatre: A 152-seat "black box" space with a retractable seating system for experimental and immersive performance.

Jazz and Contemporary Music Studio: A 200-seat, club-style venue designed for jazz, soul, and contemporary music.

Dance Theatre: A 143-seat specialized venue with a high-clearance ceiling and sprung flooring for classical ballet and contemporary dance.

Aboriginal Performance Theatre: An 80-seat dedicated space for the teaching and public performance of First Nations song and dance.

Beyond the main stages, the campus houses over 300 performance-capable spaces, including 18 world-class rehearsal studios, specialized production workshops for costume and set design, and advanced sound recording suites. The facility also integrates the WA Screen Academy, providing digital media and broadcasting students with professional-grade television and radio studios that interface directly with the academy's live performance data networks.

Academic appointments

Academic teaching appointments are made on the basis of qualifications, recent professional experience, industry profile, and reputation. WAAPA invites international professionals to Perth as artists in residence to work with students on productions and performances and to provide performance and professional advice through workshops.

Notable past teaching appointments include the Australian conductor Richard Gill as dean of the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music from 1985 to 1990. When Gill moved to take up an appointment as Director of Chorus at Opera Australia, Edward Applebaum filled the appointment.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Pocket Stats 2023" (PDF). intranet.ecu.edu.au.
  2. ^ "Corporate Style Guide" (PDF). intranet.ecu.edu.au.
  3. ^ "History of Edith Cowan University and its Predecessor Institutions". Edith Cowan University. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  4. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (3 August 2023). "Welcome to WAAPA". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Welcome to WAAPA". Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Edith Cowan University. 3 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  6. ^ https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/about/ecu-city
  7. ^ "Introducing David Shirley – WAAPA's new Director". artshub.com.au. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  8. ^ "David Shirley". Business News. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  9. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 April 2024). "Overview". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  10. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (23 April 2024). "Aboriginal Performance". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  11. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (13 October 2020). "Higher degree courses". WAAPA. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts". WAAPA. 15 May 2023.
  13. ^ https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/about/ecu-city
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Famous Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Alumni". ranker.com. 13 October 2018.
  15. ^ Steve Dow (14 May 2011). "A Handel on history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  16. ^ Moore, Camille (8 April 2021). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Imelda Corcoran". TVovermind. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Aussie newcomer Sam Corlett stoked to star in his first feature film The Dry opposite Eric Bana". nickiedavis.com. 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e f "Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts". scoop.com. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  19. ^ Koziol, Michael (28 August 2015). "Meg Mac: on her new album and the power of song". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  20. ^ "2022 Course Guide" (PDF). WAAPA. p. 19/20. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Daina Reid directs The Handmaid's Tale" (PDF). Inside WAAPA. No. 53. September 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
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