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Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

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The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a performing arts school in Perth, Western Australia. Established in 1980,[3] it is notable for being the most comprehensive performing arts school in Australia by disciplines of study and has produced some of Australia's most prominent graduates in the field.[4][5]

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
This image is the logo of Edith Cowan University's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Established1980; 44 years ago (1980)
Parent institution
Edith Cowan University
AffiliationCILECT
DirectorDavid Shirley
Students1,287[1]
Address
1/2 Bradford Street
,
Perth
,
Western Australia
,
Australia

31°55′15″S 115°52′04″E / 31.920882°S 115.867735°E / -31.920882; 115.867735 (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts)
CampusUrban
Colours Dark purple  [2]
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
This image is the logo for Edith Cowan University used by its constituent school the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

It is scheduled to re-locate to the currently under-construction Perth CBD campus following completion in late 2025.[6] The ECU City campus, which is designed by Lyons and will be located in Yagan Square, is planned to have six performance venues which are projected to have 300 performances annually.[6][7] The campus will be accessible by public transport, being built on top of the underground Perth Busport opposite the Perth railway station.[7][8]

As of 2019, the executive dean of the school is Prof David Shirley FRSA.[9] Prior to being assigned, he was the director of the Manchester School of Theatre and chair of the Federation of Drama Schools in the United Kingdom.[10]

Courses

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It offers study and research programs in acting, screen performance, arts and cultural management, dance (classical ballet and contemporary dance), music (in various fields of instrumental and voice performance, composition and school teacher education), theatre (including directing and musical theatre), production (including production design, costume design, lighting, props and scenery, sound and stage management) and other fields of performing arts.[11]

It also offers a vocational program in Aboriginal performance and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research program with an integrated "performance, exhibition, event or an embodiment of some form".[12][13] Broadcasting is now taught in the School of Communications and Arts of ECU. Originally an initiative of the state government, the Academy receives funding from both the State and Commonwealth governments.[14]

Public performances

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The performing arts school showcases a large number of performances across all fields annually that are open to the public. This events are mostly held at WAAPA's own theatres and facilities in Mount Lawley.[15] Performances and events are also held at various external venues such as the Rosemount Hotel, Government House Ballroom, Ellington Jazz Club, Luna Cinema, Subiaco Arts Centre, Studio Underground, Blue Room Theatre and the Albany Entertainment Centre.[15]

Venues and facilities

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The WAAPA buildings and facilities form part of the Edith Cowan University campus in Mount Lawley, a suburb in Perth, Western Australia.[16]

The academy currently has eight public performance spaces. These include the 297-seat Geoff Gibbs Theatre proscenium, the 200-seat Richard Gill Auditorium, the 194-seat court style Roundhouse Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater, Enright Studio, dance studios and a jazz studio..[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Four more purpose built dance/rehearsal studio spaces were created: A recording studio, electronics studio, and four production workshops for design and costume making were also added to the existing workshops and behind the scenes production facilities.[24]

Twelve large rehearsal and dance studios, numerous music and ensemble studios, a specialised visual and performing arts library collection, and numerous exhibition spaces.[24]

Fully equipped broadcasting facilities and studios for television and radio. An environment has been created where broadcasting students can gain first hand experience of working within a media environment.[25]

Academic appointments

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Academic teaching appointments are made on the basis of qualifications, recent professional experience, industry profile, and reputation. WAAPA invites international professionals to Perth as artists in residence to work with students on productions and performances and to provide performance and professional advice through workshops.

Notable past teaching appointments include the Australian conductor Richard Gill as dean of the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music[clarification needed] from 1985 to 1990. When Gill moved to take up an appointment as Director of Chorus at Opera Australia, Edward Applebaum filled the appointment.

Notable alumni

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Further information: Category:Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni

References

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  1. ^ "Pocket Stats 2023" (PDF). intranet.ecu.edu.au.
  2. ^ "Corporate Style Guide" (PDF). intranet.ecu.edu.au.
  3. ^ "History of Edith Cowan University and its Predecessor Institutions". Edith Cowan University. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  4. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (3 August 2023). "Welcome to WAAPA". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Welcome to WAAPA". Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Edith Cowan University. 3 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b Naglazas, Mark (30 August 2023). "Centre stage: How WAAPA's move into the heart of the city will reshape Perth". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Construction begins on ECU City campus | ArchitectureAu".
  8. ^ "Yagan Square - See & Do". DevelopmentWA. Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Introducing David Shirley – WAAPA's new Director". www.artshub.com.au. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  10. ^ "David Shirley". Business News. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  11. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 April 2024). "Overview". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  12. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (23 April 2024). "Aboriginal Performance". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  13. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (13 October 2020). "Higher degree courses". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts". WAAPA. 15 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b "WAAPA Performance Program 2024" (PDF).
  16. ^ "WAPPA – Campus Life". 27 March 2012.
  17. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Geoff Gibbs Theatre". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  18. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (19 July 2013). "Richard Gill Auditorium". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  19. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Roundhouse Theatre". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  20. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Outdoor Amphitheatre". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  21. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Enright Studio". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  22. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Jazz Studio". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  23. ^ Edith Cowan University, Perth (18 July 2012). "Other WAAPA Studios". WAAPA. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Other WAAPA Studios". Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  25. ^ "WAAPA student winner at WA Media Awards". Campus Daily. 17 November 2010.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Famous Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts Alumni". ranker.com. 13 October 2018.
  27. ^ Steve Dow (14 May 2011). "A Handel on history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  28. ^ Moore, Camille (8 April 2021). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Imelda Corcoran". TVovermind. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Aussie newcomer Sam Corlett stoked to star in his first feature film The Dry opposite Eric Bana". nickiedavis.com. 2020.
  30. ^ a b c d e f "Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts". scoop.com. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  31. ^ Koziol, Michael (28 August 2015). "Meg Mac: on her new album and the power of song". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  32. ^ "2022 Course Guide" (PDF). WAAPA. p. 19/20. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Daina Reid directs The Handmaid's Tale" (PDF). Inside WAAPA. No. 53. September 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
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