For over 40 years, the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University has held a reputation as Australia’s premiere performing arts academy, producing stars such as Hugh Jackman and Tim Minchin. Each year students collaborate with staff and critically acclaimed guest artists to perform over 300 public performances in Perth and regional WA, interstate and overseas.
WAAPA Events
WAAPA hosts over 70 events each year, from showstopping musicals to classical concertos and more. WAAPA events are a great opportunity to see burgeoning Australian talent perform in both intimate and major venues. Performances are more often held at venues and studios at their Mount Lawley campus. These include Enright Studio, Geoff Gibbs Theatre and the Richard Gill Auditorium. The smaller environments create a private, front row experience, while major venues employ a sense of impressive theatricality. Some of the bigger venues include the beloved Luna Leederville, Rosemount hotel, and the State Theatre Centre.
Short courses
In addition to its academic offerings, WAAPA offers a range of non-accredited short courses and music single study units across a wide range of disciplines. The short courses are designed to explore a discipline or technique, enhance skills and offer a taste of performance life. The short courses are in a variety of subjects including acting, corporate training, music, junior academy and summer school.
Degrees and diplomas
As well as Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees, they also provide Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels. Find out more here
On successful completion of a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, students may audition for other courses within WAAPA. Qualifications may provide advanced standing when enrolling in a related VET course or Bachelor Degree.
WAAPA's Summer School and Junior Academy
WAAPA’s Summer School offers dynamic, fun-filled programs that providing intense, creative training for students in year's 7 - 12. The courses are crafted to build confidence, teamwork and self-esteem while honing the skills necessary to becoming a successful actor, musician, dancer and performer on stage and screen.
In their Junior Academy, WAAPA gives secondary students the opportunity to develop a range of skills that will enable them to become confident performers. They will establish strong voice and movement skills and explore a range of acting techniques that will be applied to stage, screen or music theatre performances.
WAAPA Star Graduates
Many big names in the industry have originated from WAAPA, including Emma Matthews, Eddie Perfect, Frances O'Connor and Rachel Arianne Ogle . The employment record of WAAPA graduates, in extremely competitive fields, continues to be outstanding and well-attuned to the needs of the industry. The designers, arts management and production graduates are highly sought after and many hold influential positions across a wide range of performing arts companies, festivals, venues, film, television, major events, arts organisations and teaching institutions.
New ECU City campus
In collaboration with The Australian and West Australian Government and the City of Perth, the ECU City campus is set to be the centre point of the city. The campus is set to open at the end of 2025, with construction well under way students will be able to attend for semester 1 in 2026. It is predicted to attract 10,00 students and staff upon opening, breathing new life into the city and surrounding area.