WAAPA has a thriving postgraduate research program covering a broad range of performing arts disciplines, with a particular strength in practice-led research. Our strengths include interactive digital music systems, performance practices on historic piano, new directions in jazz, physiological analysis of human movement, theatre-making, choreography, and much more. The WAAPA Postgraduate Research Showcase is in part a performance event, and in part a series of short research presentations. It offers a rare opportunity for audiences to sample innovative arts projects in their nascent stages, and to view the ideas that will transform the future of arts discourse. Hosted by: WAAPA Higher Degree by Research students

Western Australian animals have been targeted as pests by locals and farmers. Some have been exploited for profit and hunted to near extinction. Native fauna have been celebrated as emblems and studied by scientists. They have been captured in photographs and in cages. The stories in this exhibition are found in records created by government departments, including the CSIRO, Department of Defence and ABC. They show how Western Australians have interacted with the state’s unique wildlife and highlight changing attitudes towards animals and the environment. Which animal was the target of a military campaign? What now beloved animal was dismissed as an annoying rodent? Why is there a whale tooth in the national archival collection? Grab your binoculars, get out your field guide and spot your favourite animals in this expedition to the wild west.

Love in Bright Landscapes takes its title from the name of a 1986 album by former, now cult, Perth band The Triffids – a group that has contributed much to the city’s narrative of wide open roads, treeless plains and the relentless heat of a long, dry Perth summer. But this evocation of love – and with it the possibilities and pitfalls of infatuation and romanticisation – in a landscape stretched out beneath an expansive bright sky, might equally apply to an understanding of Los Angeles: a city that itself has long been steeped in lore and myth. As such, this exhibition considers Perth and Los Angeles as comparative case studies, bringing together a selection of artworks made in reference to the characters, qualities and topographies of the two west coast cities. Despite their inherent differences – in industry, scale, population, politics, public perception and self-image – and the distinct independent cultures of each city, Perth and Los Angeles share several commonalties: from indigenous and colonial histories to natural resource booms, sprawling suburbia, car culture, blazing sunsets and seamy underbellies.

Performed in-the-round, by the incredible Luke Hewitt, Every Brilliant Thing is an hour of life affirming humour. This multiple award-winning international sensation throws audience members into the story as fathers, lovers, friends and allies following one person's life in the shadow of mental illness. From the broad #4 'The Colour Yellow' to the detailed #9998 'Watching someone watch your favourite film', this joyous and intimate work shows us the miracles in life's minutiae. "One of the funniest plays you'll ever see about depression - and possibly one of the funniest plays you'll ever see, full stop" - The Guardian

“His rock-solid yet ever-malleable voice and blazing stage presence could light a thousand lamps.”  – Independent

Joseph Calleja is one of the most exciting lyric tenors in the world today. Blessed with a golden-age voice that routinely inspires comparisons to legendary singers from earlier eras, Calleja is now a superstar in all the greatest opera houses and concert halls. 
 
His extensive discography includes a thrilling Verdi album and a hugely popular tribute to Mario Lanza, whilst his performance of Puccini’s famous Nessun Dorma at The Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall was nothing short of electrifying. In this, his eagerly anticipated debut Australian tour, the Maltese born singer described as the young Pavarotti will be joined by two of Australia’s best-loved artists, soprano Amelia Farrugia, who is also of Maltese heritage, and internationally acclaimed pianist Piers Lane, in an unforgettable performance. 

One of them is terminal delightful, the other is a snappy ginger. One is a season winner, the other chose to bow out after sweeping the competition. They’re the silly sisters from Seattle, it’s Jinkx Monsoon and BenDelaCreme and they’re teaming up to bring you a comedy cabaret show like no other!

An Evening with Ben & Jinkx has everything you need for a great night out, songs, laughs, stories and more! So come and spend some time with your Cool Mom and your favourite Michelle Visage doppelgänger as they take you on a shelarious journey.

WAAPA’s leading instrumentalists join the Indian Ocean Ensemble to perform their favourite music – from the masterworks of JS Bach and Mozart through to sparkling new works filled with excitement and imagination. It’s a chamber music experience to warm the heart and delight the soul.

Music Directors: Paul Wright and Tim White

Performed by: Indian Ocean Ensemble

Bookings open: 20th Jul - Friends 27th Jul - Public

Charles Mingus was a firebrand bandleader, virtuoso jazz musician and prolific composer. His music, with its rapid shifts in mood and tempo, blurred the boundaries between improvisation and composition. It is still very much alive and well today, influencing music artists all over the world.

Music Director: Pete Jeavons

Performed by: Mingus Ensemble

Bookings open: 20th Jul - Friends, 27th Jul - Public

After being named New Idea's Funniest Australian Comic of the year, Lawrence Mooney is back to bring audiences his newest show after three years away from the spotlight. Let him take you on a ride of ups and downs where you can be positively sure you'll be laughing the whole way through!

There’s lots to get through after three years, buy a ticket take the ride, it’s going to be quite beautiful.

Don't miss the opportunity to laugh live with the star of the Nova networks Kate, Tim & Marty show, as he delivers a load of jokes & stories he can't do between 4pm and 6pm.

If you've seen him on Have You Been Paying Attention? & want more, book now. Don't disappoint him, yourself or his property broker by missing out!

As the violence around her escalates, Agustina takes the war into her own hands, and ends by herself becoming the most effective weapon in the armoury of revolution. *Content warning: contains violence, nudity, adult themes. Written by: Edward Bond Directed by: Lawrie Cullen-Tait Performed by: 2nd Year Acting Students

Co-directed by PhD student Jazmin Ealden and inspired by WAAPA saxophone graduate Sean Hayes, this concert invites you to challenge your senses, broaden your musical horizons, and discover music you'll want to hear again and again!

Music Directors: Matt Styles and Jazmin Ealden
Performed by: Matt Styles with Classical, Jazz and Contemporary Music students, featuring The 'Phone Co. and The Sax Studio

Bookings open:
20th Jul - Friends
27th Jul - Public

Welcome to the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub in 1930s Berlin, where the flamboyant Master of Ceremonies commands the action and singer Sally Bowles performs against a backdrop of rising Nazism and her own complicated love life. Book by: Joe Masteroff Music by: John Kander Lyrics by: Fred Ebb Director: Tamara Cook Music Director: David King Choreographer: Natalie Allen Performed by: 3rd Year Music Theatre and Music students

Confounding conundrums and perplexing paradoxes, this is the very model of the modern major musical! Gilbert and Sullivan’s most loved musical treasure is a rapturous tale of time-vexed lovers and pirates both of the land and sea.

Director: Brendan Hanson

Music Director: Burhan Güner

Performed by: Classical Voice students with the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra

Bookings open: 20th Jul - Friends 27th Jul - Public

After their sensational sold out show last year The Whitlams return with "Gaffage and Clink 2021". With their first new songs in 15 years to be released over the winter, and with a fresh spring in their step, they will play their usual rambunctious show featuring a broad selection of tunes from their six Platinum and Gold albums. This concert will also be featuring very special guest Alex Lloyd. This is one gig you should definitely try to get to.

At these incredibly special shows, BOYS LIKE GIRLS will be performing their cult classic self-titled debut album in full, along with fan favourites from their stellar discography.

Their debut album was a career defining moment, catapulting the band to mainstream success with the singles “The Great Escape” and “Thunder” breaking into the Billboard top 10 singles charts with the album attaining gold certification.

If you've ever seen BOYS LIKE GIRLS live then you'll know why this tour is so special, and if you haven't, here's your chance to see why a BOYS LIKE GIRLS show is something you'll always remember.

BOYS LIKE GIRLS are taking it back to where it all started giving their long-time fans a one-off special experience. Don’t miss BOYS LIKE GIRLS perform their debut self-titled album in full + fan favourites.
 

The six-piece will kick off the tour at Fremantle Art Centre in Perth on Saturday 11 September, making their way through Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and wrapping up in Sydney. Perth’s wacky Psychedelic Porn Crumpets join the national run as main supports, bringing their sprawling and grungy psych-round sound to the stage, accompanied by fellow Perth outfit, indie-pop darlings Dulcie who have mesmerised listeners since bursting onto the scene in 2018.

Come and enjoy the famous Gypsy Tapas House experience! Pop in for a wine, a bite and somer live music with The Dirty Stop Outs! They will be playing their original music, inspired by Funk, Soul, Jazz, Motown and Retro movies. The Dirty Stop Outs will be paired perfectly with your food, drinks and Summer vibes. Book a table now so you don`t miss out

Beware the Ides of March. William Shakespeare's tragedy of political ambition, corruption and betrayal charts Julius Caesar’s triumphant return to Rome, the conspiracy to take him down, and the civil war sparked by his assassination. Bookings open July 27.

Written by: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Matt Edgerton
Performed by: 3rd Year Acting students.

Prepared to be wowed by performances including solo, duo, trio and band pieces. This will be a show not to be missed.

Music Director: Vinnie Crea
Performed by: Music Artist Students

Bookings open:
20th Jul - Friends
27th Jul - Public

Get ready to be inspired, provoked and entertained as WAAPA's graduating performance makers hit the Blue Room Theatre stage at full tilt, showcasing their creative talents over two weeks in September. Bookings open July 4.

*Content warning: contains adult themes.

Directed by: 3rd Year Performance Making students
Performed by: 3rd Year Performance Making students

West Australian Ballet presents a beautiful, life-like doll and two bickering young lovers create comic chaos in this captivating ballet. Coppélia is a co-production with the West Australian Ballet and Queensland Ballet. Coppélia is one of the most frequently performed and well-loved comic ballets around the globe. As George Balanchine put it, "Just as Giselle is ballet's great tragedy, so Coppélia is its great comedy". The duration of the Ballet is two hours and 20 minutes, including intermission and is recommended for an audience of four years of age and over, with tickets ranging from $30 to $145.

Drummer/composer Daniel Susnjar and vocalist Victoria Newton bring together the WAAPA Afro-Peruvian Ensemble and the WAAPA Jazz Vocal Ensemble for this special one-time live recording. Expect thrilling ensemble cohesion, infectious rhythms and inspired original music - combining Afro- Peruvian and Jazz musical sensibilities in a unique and exciting manner.

Music Directors: Dr Daniel Susnjar and Victoria Newton
Performed by: WAAPA Afro Peruvian Ensemble and WAAPA Jazz Vocal Ensemble with Daniel Susnjar and Victoria Newton

Bookings open:
20th Jul - Friends
27th Jul - Public

Frontier Touring, Secret Sounds and FRNDS MGMT are thrilled to announce the return of 9x ARIA nominees and critically acclaimed Sydney trio DMA’S. Off the back of countless successes, the three-piece rock outfit will bring their euphoric, timeless anthems – with a full band set-up – to FAC’s South Lawn on Sun 26 Sep 2021.

DMA’S started 2020 on a high, playing the iconic O2 Academy in Brixton to a sold-out crowd, right before the world went into lockdown. They continued from stage to screen, performing a breathtaking rendition of the Crowded House classic ‘Better Be Home Soon’ on Channel 9’s Music From The Home Front Anzac Day special, followed by an epic run of 24 sold-out ‘Unplugged & Intimate’ headline shows in Brisbane and Sydney, before taking the stage ahead of the opening bounce at the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final in Brisbane last month.

The band’s accolades this year alone include nominations for triple j Australian Album of the Year and 5 x ARIA Award nominations including Album Of The Year, Best Rock Album, Best Group, Best Independent Release and Best Australian Live Act.