School Leavers
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) offers students the opportunity to pursue their artistic dreams.
WAAPA enjoys a national reputation and international recognition for the quality of its graduates.
It provides the most comprehensive range of performing arts training in Australia. Students can choose from internationally recognised courses in aboriginal theatre, acting, arts management, broadcasting, costume, dance, live production & events, lighting, music, music theatre, props & scenery, sound and stage management.
Entry into the courses is highly competitive. World-class staff working in state-of-the-art performance and teaching facilities provide rigorous and specialised training of the highest order.
Showcasing your talent
In this creative environment students pursue artistic excellence, both on and off the stage.
Each year students, staff and critically acclaimed guest artists collaborate to present well over 200 public performances, broadcasts and exhibitions - more productions and more diversity than any other arts training institution in Australia. See the WAAPA events calendar >>
Star graduates
WAAPA graduates excel in their chosen fields around the world, confirming WAAPA's reputation as Australia's premier performing arts academy.
It is difficult to single out just a few, but some of the most well known performers include:
- Acting
Hugh Jackman, Frances O'Connor, Marcus Graham and William McInnes - Music Theatre
Lisa McCune, Lucy Durrack and James Millar - Broadcasting
Elliot Spencer and Desley Coleman - Opera
Emma Matthews and Rachelle Durkin - Jazz
Jamie Oehlers - Dance
Daryl Brandwood, Nicolas Cunningham and Paea Leach - Classical
Thomas Woods and Carmel Dean
WAAPA designers, arts management and production graduates are highly sought after and many hold influential positions across a wide range of performing arts companies, festivals, film, television, major events, arts organisations and teaching institutions.