Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
For over 30 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.
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A hub for performing arts, the Mount Lawley campus boasts a range of state-of-the-art performance spaces, including Geoff Gibbs Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre, Richard Gill Auditorium, Enright Studio, and the iconic Edith Spiegeltent – a rare tent-style theatre made of wood, mirrors, canvas and leaded glass.
- The Edith
- Behind the stage
Across these venues, and in city and regional spaces, the WAAPA calendar is rich with performances in dance, music and musical theatre, and contemporary arts. This cross-genre offering exposes students to a range of crafts and experiences, and is a delight to audiences.
With specialised training, WAAPA is known for the quality of its graduates who pursue successful careers in the performing arts and entertainment industries, including many well-known stars such as Frances O’Connor, Marcus Graham, William McInnes, Lisa McCune, Lucy Durack, Rachelle Durkin, Emma Matthews, Jamie Oehlers and Eddie Perfect.
As a graduate of Music Theatre, Lucy Durack went on to star in the Australian productions of Wicked and Legally Blonde: The Musical, as well as appearing on television in the series Doctor Doctor and Sisters. Another star graduate is the soprano Emma Matthews, now WAAPA’s Head of Classical Voice and Opera Studies, who tours the country regularly with a number of national and state music institutions such as Opera Australia and WA Opera.
- Aboriginal Theatre Performance
- Solo Stage: Here Now
In the spirit of past graduate success stories, WAAPA continues to provide its students with theatrical experience and practical knowledge, as well as academic excellence. Luckily for arts enthusiasts and lovers of performing arts, this fostered creativity is shared with the public throughout the academic year.
Latest News
Guides

The Space Inside
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Vanessa Tomlinson - a sound artist, musician, composer and educator explores listening, space, density and beauty through the known and unknown.
- Dates:Jul 28
- Time(s):7.30
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Other Music
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

A Summit of Energies
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
A performance to celebrate the restoration of the legendary 1824 Broadwood & Sons grand piano.
- Dates:Jul 31
- Time(s):3pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$25 - $32
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

The Music of the Bachs
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Classical students and staff at ECU perform the masterpieces of Bach
- Dates:Aug 4
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Classical
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

The Sky is the Limit
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Daniel Susnjar, a multi award-winning drummer/composer leads the WAAPA Afro-Peruvian Ensemble bringing you the fusion of Afro-Peruvian music and contemporary jazz.
- Dates:Aug 11
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:The Edith Spiegeltent
Details
- Music:Jazz,World
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$13 - $ 20
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Timothy Constable: Percussion Virtuoso
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Timothy Constable from Sydney Symphony Orchestra takes you on a journey in sound, from Bach on marimba to Korean drumming and more.
- Dates:Aug 11
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Classical
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

The Inaugural Taryn Fiebig Award
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
The concert is showcased by the six finalists in the inaugural Taryn Fiebig Award
- Dates:Aug 12
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Opera
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Warana Prize and the Moldau
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Paul Wright, the Internationally-renowned Head of Strings leads the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra performing the masterworks "The Moldau and The High Castle" by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana.
- Dates:Aug 20
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:The Ballroom - Government House
Details
- Music:Classical
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Dangerous Liaisons
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
WAAPA’s elite Indian Ocean Ensemble collaborate with The ‘Phone Co. and the Seven Seas Ensemble, bringing a unique new sounds and dynamic fusion.
- Dates:Aug 25
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Chamber Music,Classical
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

The New Tradition
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
WAAPA New Orleans Ensemble will bring you a modern version of jazz music by Louis Armstrong, Jelly-Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke and more.
- Dates:Aug 25
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:The Edith Spiegeltent
Details
- Music:Jazz
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$13 - $20
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

The Folk Song Project
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
WAAPA Voice and Guitar students explore the diversity of folk song in beautiful compositions and arrangements from across time and around the globe.
- Dates:Aug 28
- Time(s):3pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:Country & Folk
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Defying Gravity's Big Birthday Bash
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
A night to celebrate Defying Gravity percussion's 35th birthday with world music around the globe
- Dates:Sep 1 - 3
- Time(s):Evening show 7.30pm; Sat matinee 3pm
- Venue:Richard Gill Auditorium
Details
- Music:World
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $ 30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Generator 2022
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Join WAAPA's 2nd Year Performance Making students' spectacular show from drama to politics.
- Dates:Sep 1 - 3
- Time(s):7.30pm
- Venue:The Edith
Details
- Event Venue:The Edith Spiegeltent
- Performing Arts:Theatre
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$13- $20
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Tilt
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
Be a witness of the growth of some of Australia's finest emerging artists from WAAPA.
- Dates:Sep 7 -10, 14, 15 - 17
- Time(s):7.00pm, Fri & Sat matinees 2.00pm
- Venue:The Blue Room Theatre
Details
- Performing Arts:Theatre
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23 - $30
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
3rd Year Acting students performing Fires in the Mirror under direction of Charles Allen.
- Dates:Sep 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 & 14
- Time(s):7.30pm, Sat Sep 10, 2.00pm
- Venue:State Theatre Centre
Details
- Event Venue:State Theatre Centre of WA
- Performing Arts:Theatre
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$30 - $37
- Produced By:WAAPA
Description

Orestes 2.0
- waapa@ecu.edu.au
- 08 9370 6443
- http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/
- https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/bookings
2nd Year Acting students of WAAPA are taking us to the Greek tragedy of Euripides' contemporary version.
- Dates:Sep 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 & 14
- Time(s):7.30pm, Sat Sep 10, 2.00pm
- Venue:Enright Studio
Details
- Event Venue:Enright Studio
- Performing Arts:Theatre
- Hosted By:WAAPA
- Ticket Price:$23- $30
- Produced By:WAAPA