Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

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Tomorrow night we open Nina Raine's powerful, painful, funny play, Consent as part of WAAPA's repertory season. Chookas ...
12/06/2025

Tomorrow night we open Nina Raine's powerful, painful, funny play, Consent as part of WAAPA's repertory season. Chookas to the cast, crew and creatives and thanks Stephen Heath for the fab photos.

Content warning: Discussions and depictions of sexual harassment, coarse language, themes of su***de

Friday 13 - Thursday 19 June in the Enright Studio at ECU, Mount Lawley.

Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1378632

Chookas to the company of Punk Rock which opens tonight as part of WAAPA's repertory season.Content warning:  Blood, the...
12/06/2025

Chookas to the company of Punk Rock which opens tonight as part of WAAPA's repertory season.

Content warning: Blood, themes of su***de, death, weaponry, loud bangs, sexual references, partial nudity, coarse language, bullying and harassment

Punk Rock is on now until Thursday 19 June in the Enright Studio at ECU, Mount Lawley.

Photos by Stephen Heath

Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1378618

Congratulations BMus graduate, Calen Linke 👏
12/06/2025

Congratulations BMus graduate, Calen Linke 👏

⛳️Glückwunsch an Calen Linke für die Stelle Wechselhorn bei dem Philharmonischen Orchester Hagen. Wir freuen uns extrem für Dich und mit Dir! 🥳💪

❗️„Calen Linke, Hornist aus Perth🇦🇺, begann seine musikalische Ausbildung bei Paul Duhig. Er absolvierte seinen Bachelor an der Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts bei Francesco Lo Surdo und David Evans. Anschließend studierte er bei Carla Blackwood an der Australian National Academy of Music. Derzeit absolviert er sein Masterstudium an der Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen bei Professor Přemysl Vojta sowie bei Jan Golebiowski und Magdalena Ernst.“

10/06/2025

WAAPA is a place where you make friends for life. Such a lovely message of support from Mark’s fellow 1994 Acting alum, Hugh Jackman.

Vale Annie StainerSharing this beautiful tribute written by 1988 Acting graduate, John O’Hare, who was one of Annie Stai...
06/06/2025

Vale Annie Stainer

Sharing this beautiful tribute written by 1988 Acting graduate, John O’Hare, who was one of Annie Stainer’s students when she was Head of Movement at WAAPA between 1985 and 1990. On behalf of WAAPA’s alumni, students and staff, we would like extend our deepest condolences to Annie’s loved ones.

+++

Vale Annie Stainer
our astoundingly talented teacher, colleague & shapeshifter

Annie was an angelic presence on this earth—
a light too rare,
too radiant for words.

To be touched by her gift
was mystical transformation.
Not mere learning,
but becoming something more.

A theatre performer,
an actor,
a mime—
she moved through silence with poetry,
and through story with soul.

She once toured with Ziggy Stardust—
David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars—
shaping stages with her presence,
weaving magic with every move.

When she held your gaze,
you looked into the eyes of a genie—
infinite,
knowing,
full of possibility.

Time slowed.
The air changed.
And suddenly,
you believed you could become
whatever you dared to dream.

She taught me acting and mime
at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
There,
her lessons echoed far beyond the studio walls.
That was where I learned to listen—
to silence,
to stillness,
to myself.

A shapeshifter of souls and space,
Annie taught with wonder,
worked with fire,
lived with grace.

We mourn her absence—
but she is not gone.

She lingers
in the echoes of laughter,
in the hush before the curtain rises,
in the courage to begin.

And now,
she is reunited with her suitcase-circus love,
her husband Reg—
two kindred spirits in eternal flight.

Our hearts go out
to her beloved daughter & son
artists and colleagues Joe and Sophie Bolton.
May you feel her always near.

Vale, Annie.
Your spell remains unbroken

All my love forever John O’Hare ❤️xoxo

Immersing in the WAAPA Dance Experience - Dancetrain Magazine"On 11 March, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a d...
06/06/2025

Immersing in the WAAPA Dance Experience - Dancetrain Magazine

"On 11 March, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a day with the second-year Contemporary and Ballet Bachelor students at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth. There is nothing quite like immersing yourself in university life—connecting with students and teachers, observing classes, and getting a sense of the day-to-day rhythm of such a dynamic environment. Being on campus and witnessing the energy, dedication and passion of these emerging dancers offered me a unique and insightful perspective into the culture and ethos of tertiary dance training in Australia." - words and image by Danielle Brown.

Read the full interview with WAAPA's Coordinator of Dance, Sue Peacock here: https://www.dancetrain.com.au/immersing-in-the-waapa-dance-experience/

Huge Congratulations to these two glorious mezzos, announced as semi finalists in the Australian Singing Competition. Bo...
05/06/2025

Huge Congratulations to these two glorious mezzos, announced as semi finalists in the Australian Singing Competition. Both are graduates of the Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) program, Brittney Northcott who graduated last year and Ruth Burke who graduated in 2023, and who was also a WA Opera () Young Artist for 2024-2025.
Two glorious singers kicking goals and everyone at WAAPA is so proud of you. Wishing you both the very best.


Producers John Frost, Colin Ingram and the creators of the original film trilogy Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis have annou...
03/06/2025

Producers John Frost, Colin Ingram and the creators of the original film trilogy Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis have announced that Axel Duffy will don the iconic puffer vest and ride the skateboard for the Australian Premiere season of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical, taking on the role of Marty McFly—the time-traveling teen originally brought to life by Michael J. Fox in the classic 1985 film.

The winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical will welcome audiences for the first time on Australian soil at the Sydney Lyric from Friday 26th September 2025.

Australian producer John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia said, “We are thrilled to welcome the immensely talented Axel Duffy to our Australian cast as Marty McFly. His charisma, energy, and musicality bring a fresh spark to this iconic role, and we’re excited for audiences to fall in love with Marty all over again.”

Axel Duffy, a 2019 graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), toured Australia in Grease the Musical (Crossroads Live Australia), delivering an electrifying performance that earned him recognition among Australia's emerging stars. His theatrical range was further demonstrated in the Australian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, where he portrayed multiple characters, including Karl Jenkins and Victor Krum with depth and nuance and in Black Swan Theatre Company’s production of Oklahoma!. Axel's casting as Marty McFly in BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical marks a significant milestone in his career.

Read more:
https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/axel-duffy-play-marty-mcfly-back-future-musical

Les heures musicales [The Musical Hours], a concert by Silver Sands Guitar Quartet (7.30pm Thurs 5th June at WAAPA) supp...
31/05/2025

Les heures musicales [The Musical Hours], a concert by Silver Sands Guitar Quartet (7.30pm Thurs 5th June at WAAPA) supported by a grant from DLGSCI as SSGQ embark on an exciting tour of Southern France across June/July. On the tour they will be premiere sensational new commissions (world premieres) by Marion Budos, Joey Eng, Jacques Fimbel, and Richard Charlton.

Head to the WAAPA website to book 🎟️
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Les heures musicales [The Musical Hours], a concert by Silver Sands Guitar Quartet (7.30pm Thurs 5th June at WAAPA) supp...
31/05/2025

Les heures musicales [The Musical Hours], a concert by Silver Sands Guitar Quartet (7.30pm Thurs 5th June at WAAPA) supported by a grant from DLGSCI as SSGQ embark on an exciting tour of Southern France across June/July. On the tour they will be premiere sensational new commissions (world premieres) by Marion Budos, Joey Eng, Jacques Fimbel, and Richard Charlton.

Book now: https://events.humanitix.com/silver-sands-heures-musicales

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Congratulations to 2002 Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) graduate, Lucy Durack, who was awarded the Crown Perth Arts & C...
30/05/2025

Congratulations to 2002 Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) graduate, Lucy Durack, who was awarded the Crown Perth Arts & Culture Award at the 2025 Western Australian of the Year Awards, last night, recognising her outstanding contributions to Australian entertainment and her enduring connection to WA.

Bravo to the Contempor ary Music students on their Songs in the Key of WAAPA showcase concerts at the Rosemount Hotel on...
29/05/2025

Bravo to the Contempor ary Music students on their Songs in the Key of WAAPA showcase concerts at the Rosemount Hotel on the 19, 21, 26 and 27 May. So much talent and across such a wide array of genres and influences. Stephen Bradley Heath photography managed to capture some snaps on Monday night. Thanks to the venue staff, patrons, staff and students for 4 incredible nights of live music.

Now six weeks into her course at WAAPA, Leila is already thriving. “It’s amazing. Everyone was so instantly kind, and th...
27/05/2025

Now six weeks into her course at WAAPA, Leila is already thriving. “It’s amazing. Everyone was so instantly kind, and the teachers are so invested in your improvement. We do long, hard days, but you get through it because all you want to do is dance every day—and that’s what we get to do.”

She adds, “The structure of the course really surprised me in the best way. We had two orientation weeks at the start, and the staff were really conscious of helping us transition gradually into the full workload. They really care. It’s personalised, supportive, and the feedback is so constructive. You can tell they’re passionate about making us the best dancers and artists we can be.”

Leila also speaks fondly of her peers: “Everyone in my cohort is just so open and encouraging. There’s no competitiveness—just a collective drive. We all know we’re in this together for the next three years, and that really creates this beautiful sense of freedom and support in class. You feel safe to take risks.”

Thanks Leila Zaknich for being interviewed and thanks Dani Brown and Dancetrain Magazine for flying over to Perth and letting us show you around WAAPA.

Published in Print May 2025 order now! words Danielle Brown image Christophe Canato At just 17, Leila Zaknich is already making waves in the Western Australian dance scene. A recent graduate of Willetton Senior High School, where she studied dance as an ATAR subject, Leila is now a full-time student...

It’s a double rainbow🌈🌈 kinda day.Photo by
23/05/2025

It’s a double rainbow🌈🌈 kinda day.
Photo by

Step into a world where movement meets the earth... 🌳🌊☀️💨ECHOGREEN — a bold new contemporary dance season by LINK Dance ...
22/05/2025

Step into a world where movement meets the earth... 🌳🌊☀️💨

ECHOGREEN — a bold new contemporary dance season by LINK Dance Company, WAAPA’s elite Honours ensemble. Featuring works by visionary choreographers Tara Gower and Evgenia Plotkin Mikhailov, Echogreen is a striking exploration of our elemental connection to nature.

Opens tonight and runs till Saturday at the Geoff Gibbs Theatre, May 22nd to 24th.

Book now via the WAAPA website 🎟️ or at the door.
https://www.trybooking.com/CYTBF

Tara Gower’s visit to WAAPA is proudly supported by the Bass Family Foundation.

Original music/sound composition by visiting artist, Rachael Dease, is proudly supported by Karen Field.

Photos by

Step into a world where movement meets the earth... 🌳🌊☀️💨ECHOGREEN — a bold new contemporary dance season by LINK Dance ...
22/05/2025

Step into a world where movement meets the earth... 🌳🌊☀️💨

ECHOGREEN — a bold new contemporary dance season by LINK Dance Company, WAAPA’s elite Honours ensemble. Featuring works by visionary choreographers Tara Gower and Evgenia Plotkin Mikhailov, Echogreen is a striking exploration of our elemental connection to nature.

Opens tonight and runs till Saturday at the Geoff Gibbs Theatre, May 22nd to 24th.

Book now via the WAAPA website 🎟️ or at the door.
https://www.trybooking.com/CYTBF

Tara Gower’s visit to WAAPA is proudly supported by the Bass Family Foundation.

Original music/sound composition by visiting artist, Rachael Dease, is proudly supported by Karen Field.

Photos by

🌦️ Contested Weather SymposiumJoin us Fri 30 May @ ECU Mt Lawley for Contested Weather: Sites of Performance, Politics &...
21/05/2025

🌦️ Contested Weather Symposium
Join us Fri 30 May @ ECU Mt Lawley for Contested Weather: Sites of Performance, Politics & Engagement. Featuring Dr Rachael Swain’s keynote + panel & roundtable. Explore how the arts engage with shifting climates—meteorological, political & cultural.
📍 Bldg 10, Rm 131 | ⏰ From 9am

Entry is free but registrations are essential; https://www.trybooking.com/DBJNU

Photo credit: Miranda Wheen Sam Beazley and Dalisa Pigram in Cut The Sky. image Gregory Lorenzutti, 2025.

So exciting to see the transformative ECU City on track to open for students from Semester 1, 2026. Apply now for WAAPA ...
20/05/2025

So exciting to see the transformative ECU City on track to open for students from Semester 1, 2026. Apply now for WAAPA and take your training to new heights 🚀

Incredible progress has been made on ECU City ahead of the campus welcoming students in semester one next year.

Located right above the Perth Busport, and within steps of the Perth's expanding METRONET transport network, ECU City will be one of the most connected university campuses in Australia.

Congratulations to Maya Curtis (Diploma of Acting grad 2020) being cast in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production...
19/05/2025

Congratulations to Maya Curtis (Diploma of Acting grad 2020) being cast in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of of Make it Happen, starring Brian Cox.

Behold the rise, fall and fail of the biggest bank in the world – The Royal Bank of Scotland. Helmed by Fred “The Shred” Goodwin, with his fervent belief

"Perfect should be immensely proud of his achievement with Beetlejuice, which is frequently hilarious and consistently e...
18/05/2025

"Perfect should be immensely proud of his achievement with Beetlejuice, which is frequently hilarious and consistently entertaining. His songs are lyrically consummate – he shares a love of wordplay and complex internal rhymes with fellow composer Tim Minchin – and he has a great talent for pastiche and parody." - Tim Byrne, The Guardian

We can't wait for you to see the world premier of Eddie's 'Tivoli Lovely' in 7-14 November at The Heath Ledger Theatre. A brand new Aussie musical developed with Director Dean Bryant, Music Director Zara Stanton and performed by the 2nd and 3rd Year Music Theatre students with Music students and supported by the Production and Design department. It's going to be massive and goes on sale 16th July.

Regent Theatre, MelbourneBringing his Broadway adaptation of Tim Burton’s film to Australia, Perfect is joyous in the lead role, bounding around the stage like a demented pinball

This Sunday 18 May we are running a free workshop for high school aged musicians in Years 10, 11 & 12 at WAAPA. Classica...
14/05/2025

This Sunday 18 May we are running a free workshop for high school aged musicians in Years 10, 11 & 12 at WAAPA.

Classical FastTRACK 1.0 is WAAPA’s elite training program for young musicians. Take your creativity and performance skills to the highest level, through a specialised program of workshops and masterclasses. It’s the fast track to musical excellence.
Preparing for a music performance, audition or exam? In this free workshop, you get hot tips on musicianship, stagecraft, practising, projection and performance psychology.

WAAPA’s inspirational lecturers show you how to tame your nerves, bring your music to life, and perform at your very best – so that when the day comes, your inner star shines bright and strong.
Book now!

Classical FastTRACK 1.0 is WAAPA’s elite training program for young musicians. Take your creativity and performance skills to the highest level,...

The Surfer opens on Thursday. The movie’s producer James Grandison, production designer Emma Fletcher and costume design...
14/05/2025

The Surfer opens on Thursday. The movie’s producer James Grandison, production designer Emma Fletcher and costume designer and WAAPA Costume grad, Lien See Leong, will be in conversation with Mark Naglazas at the Luna Leederville on Sunday at 3.30pm.

The Hollywood legend leans into the method playing a businessman losing it in a Yallingup car park, but director Lorcan Finnegan is in awe of his commitment and professionalism.

Thanks to the generous support of Brigid and Ronald W. Woss AM of the Woss Group of Companies, WAAPA Jazz students have ...
09/05/2025

Thanks to the generous support of Brigid and Ronald W. Woss AM of the Woss Group of Companies, WAAPA Jazz students have been able to collaborate with New-York based, Chilean-born Melissa Aldana and what a week it has been topped off by two very special concerts, tonight and tomorrow from 7.30pm in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre at ECU, Mount Lawley. The concert is looking and sounding fabulous thanks to the amazing students and staff from Lighting and Sound departments.

Limited tickets are still available online for tomorrow or at the door this evening. 🎟️ 🔗 in bio.

Thanks for the amazing pics.

Thanks to the generous support of Brigid and Ronald W. Woss AM of the Woss Group of Companies, WAAPA Jazz students have ...
09/05/2025

Thanks to the generous support of Brigid and Ronald W. Woss AM of the Woss Group of Companies, WAAPA Jazz students have been able to collaborate with New-York based, Chilean-born Melissa Aldana and what a week it has been topped off by two very special concerts, tonight and tomorrow from 7.30pm in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre at ECU, Mount Lawley. The concert is looking and sounding fabulous thanks to the amazing students and staff from Lighting and Sound departments.

Limited tickets are still available online for tomorrow or at the door this evening: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1348595

Thanks Stephen Bradley Heath for the amazing photos.

Address

Edith Cowan University, 2 Bradford Street
Perth, WA
6050

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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The official page for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU). CRICOS IPC 00279B RTO Provider Code 4756.

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ECU is committed to reconciliation and recognises and respects the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ communities, cultures and histories. ECU acknowledges and respects the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as the traditional custodians of the land on which its campuses stand.

About the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at ECU