Creative thinkers perform here. They compose here. They build and design here. We're one of the world's leading performing arts academies. And no matter how talented you might be already, we'll challenge you to become even better. Because we know that creativity has no limits.
Includes best ranking for undergraduate teaching quality, skills development, learning resources and student support. QILT is an independent Australian government survey.
Our postgraduate students have rated us 5 stars for their overall experience in the latest Good Universities Guide. More 5-star ratings included: skills development, student support and teaching quality.
In extremely competitive fields, the employment record of WAAPA graduates is outstanding and well-attuned to the needs of the industry.
WAAPA designers, arts management and production graduates are highly sought after, and many hold influential positions across performing arts companies, festivals, venues, film, television, major events, arts organisations and teaching institutions.
About WAAPA Courses
At WAAPA you can choose a degree specialising in a particular area, such as a Bachelor of Arts (Acting) or a Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management).
In some cases you can choose a specialisation within a degree. For example, you can specialise in Classical Vocal, Classical Instrumental, Composition and Music Technology, Jazz or Contemporary Music within a Bachelor of Music degree.
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Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Disciplines
If you already know what you're interested in, choose a discipline.
"When you choose to study at WAAPA, you'll be joining one of the world's most celebrated performing arts academies, recognised for the quality of its graduates-turned-stars."
It takes a skilled and creative team to put on a show. WAAPA is the place to learn the diverse range of disciplines that work together to entertain and enthral an audience.
Get an experience you won't find anywhere else in Australia.
Our Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making major) prepares self-reliant and entrepreneurial artists to be the initiators of their own work.
Our Certificate IV in Aboriginal Performance helps First Nations students refine their performance skills.
WAAPA's production of Crazy for You at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth provided opportunities for students Holly Ballam (Stage Management) and Samuel Moloney (Music Theatre) to combine their backstage and on-stage skills under the watchful eye of industry professionals.
Hear from WAAPA Music student Caitlin Malcolm and Tim White, WAAPA's Head of Classical Music about how the Bachelor of Music course prepares students for a career in the music industry.
Scholarship opportunities to reduce your expenses
Scholarships recognise those whose life journey may have been challenging, as well as students who've shown outstanding academic excellence and endeavour.
A scholarship can help you realise your ambitions by paying for fees, text books and living expenses.
Sound decision leads to working with Cirque du Soleil
Just two years after finishing his WAAPA training, Production & Design graduate Christian Peterson is now touring the world as a sound engineer with Cirque du Soleil.
After graduating, Christian worked full-time as a sound technician on festivals, concerts and theatre shows in Perth and around Australia. After scoring a gig on the Perth leg of the Cirque du Soleil show, Kooza he was offered the tour of Australia, New Zealand and Dubai with the Cirque show, Toruk.
Christian then spent several months in Montreal, Canada – where Cirque is based – designing and building the arena version of Corteo. He is currently touring North America with Corteo. Nice work we say!
Do you have any questions about the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts study area?
Student stories
Kerri Anne Greenland
WAAPA Music Theatre graduate
I feel so privileged to have studied at WAAPA, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life
I would not have been ready to step into the professional world without the music theatre course, and my dreams of being a performer would have stayed only that – dreams. If I was to encourage someone to do one thing in their life, it would be to work hard for your dreams.
Alexander Beard
Bachelor of Performing Arts student
WAAPA has led to opportunities I would never have thought realistic three years ago
This is largely thanks to the incredible work of the staff who go out of their way to help each student realise their ambitions. The most rewarding parts of the course, so far, for me have been devising and performing a solo piece, working with James Berlyn on Memory Bones at His Majesty's Theatre. And also the study tour to the Intercultural Theatre Institute in Singapore in early 2017.
If you're interested in writing, directing, performing and/or running your own theatre company, this is the course for you.
James Robertson
WAAPA Arts Management graduate
The Arts Management degree gave me the skills and contacts to form a fantastic career in the arts industry
In my role as Head of Media and Client Relations at AKA, my team and I formulate strategy and execute end-to-end marketing campaigns for commercial theatre, not-for-profit theatre companies, galleries and museums, major events and a diverse range of other arts and entertainment forms.
WAAPA set me up to be confident in the industry, no matter what I have ended up working on.
The Important Things
Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.
Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.
Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.