Ranked in the top 100 globally for the Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings, the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) is the place to turn your creative dreams into reality.
In Semester 1, 2026, WAAPA will move into its new state-of-the-art city campus, giving students even more access to incredible training opportunities in all aspects of creative performance.
And while WAAPA is moving to a new location, its warm and welcoming environment will continue to thrive and inspire.
“Something that strikes me here at WAAPA is the culture,” says Shane Anthony, course coordinator of Bachelor of Arts Acting. “I think from day one when you begin training, that culture is considered deeply… not only is it on the minds of the staff, it’s also deeply woven into the student mindset as well.
“Collaboration is at the core of that. I think a huge level of respect for one another and for the creative process is really critical. I think generosity and curiosity and hunger are fundamental skills required as an artist, and they’re built in from day one.”
Hank Harris is a third-year acting student who recalls driving across the Nullarbor to commence his studies at WAAPA. He shook with nerves all the way to Perth, but was soon assured upon his arrival on campus.
“I think as soon as you come to WAAPA, you’ll feel the strength of the community here,” he says. “As soon as you arrive you know that there’s just such a strong safety net here for you. It’s such a strong arts community – even at lunchtime while you’re sitting on the lawn, there’s ballet dancers breaking in their flats and musicians tuning up instruments and actors doing hum sirens (laughs).
“I accepted my position in the course when I was 19 and I started studying at 20. So I was on the younger end of the people in the course in my year. I have done a lot of growing emotionally and in terms of maturity, both in an acting sense and in a personal sense since I’ve been here at WAAPA.”
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Second-year acting student Holly Samaneigo echoes Hank’s feelings of comfort and reassurance.
“Speaking from the position of an international student, being able to connect with other international students was really big for me,” she says. “I just felt so comfortable in such a healthy community.”
“I think any great actor training is approaching training holistically,” says Shane. “It’s very difficult to divorce the individual as a person from the individual as an artist. So I think our training here at WAAPA seeks to develop that person holistically.”
That holistic approach is evident in how WAAPA courses allow and embrace the artistic evolution of the students as their knowledge and experiences grow as their studies progress.
“I think what WAAPA does exceptionally well is in the first half of the training, they compartmentalise,” Hank explains. “So you train really vigorously in voice, in movement and in technical acting technique. And then as you move into the second-half of second year and third year when you’ve got public productions, you can feel each of those parts come together.”
“WAAPA does a wonderful thing where it’s like they hold your hand through it and then you can slowly feel them let go and allow you to be your own artist,” adds Holly.
With expert teachers and nationally and world-renowned guest artists visiting to offer their insight, WAAPA also offers a public performance season that is directly anchored to teaching and learning.
It’s all part of WAAPA’s commitment to conservatoire training as it helps its talented students master their craft.
“So there’s a bunch of great reasons why the WAAPA acting program here is an incredible course,” says Shane, “and one to deeply consider to get excellent theatre and film acting training.”
Learn more about the courses on offer for Semester 1, 2026 here and find out about the new ECU City campus at citycampus.ecu.edu.au.