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Production and Design

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WAAPA’s Production and Design program provides students with a diverse selection of ‘on-the-job’ theatrical experiences. Incorporating an exciting mix of national and international professional directors, teachers and supervisors, WAAPA’s year-long season of theatre, music theatre, opera and dance performances, plus jazz, classical and contemporary music concerts, gives WAAPA graduates the winning edge in preparation for a seamless transition into a wide range of careers within the creative and technical industries, both nationally and abroad.

WAAPA’s professionally staffed and equipped workshop and wardrobe facilities, along with lighting and sound studios, gives students immediate ‘hands-on’ access to all production development, construction and staging processes associated with the most up-to-date industry expectations and practice.

WAAPA’s Production and Design program offers the following qualifications:

CUA50420 – Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services

This entry level year focuses on a range of essential production skills reflected in two distinct streams:

Production Arts

This course is structured to appeal to the creative designer/maker, developing skills across the areas of Scenic Art, Costume Construction, Prop Making and Scenic Construction. Students work as directed on productions mounted by WAAPA and begin by assisting, until sufficiently skilled, to perform designated tasks. If the student decides to graduate WAAPA with this award, they will be equipped to enter a production workshop environment working in an assisting capacity.

Technical and Live Performance

This course is structured to include Lighting, Sound, Stage Management, and Technical Drawing, similarly to Production Arts, the expected destination of the graduate with this award is as an assistant.

CUA60220 – Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services

This nationally recognised, one-year, full-time qualification is scaffolded to provide the next step for a learner who wishes to advance their knowledge and specialise in one area of production.

The CUA60220 - Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services, offers 5 distinct streams:

These courses are structured to provide skills and experience consistent with the growing needs of the entertainment industry. Students work as directed on productions mounted by WAAPA and will be expected to provide service at a professional level of competence.

CUA60520 – Advanced Diploma of Music

Production and Design students specialising in Sound will complete the CUA60520 – Advanced Diploma of Music qualification.


Bachelor of Performing Arts

Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production and Design Major)

Bachelor of Performing Arts (Stage and Production Management Major)

Commencing in 2026, students who have successfully completed the CUA60220 – Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services can articulate into the two-year, full-time Bachelor of Performing Arts degree program. Students in the Bachelor of Performing Arts program continue their chosen specialisms, focussing on extending CV’s and Portfolios.

The two majors offered will be Production and Design and Stage and Production Management, which includes Set, Costume, Lighting and Sound. The great value of this extension to training is it gives students more time to mature as a practitioner, understand comprehensively the qualities of collaboration, and is an internationally recognised qualification, opening doors to opportunities abroad.

Employment destinations for graduates of this course are like those of the Advanced Diploma, but are further enhanced by the accumulation of additional experience and networking opportunities provided by the industry secondment.

Qualifications

CUA50420 – Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services 

CUA60220 – Advanced Diploma of Live Production and Management Services

CUA60520 – Advanced Diploma of Music

Bachelor of Performing Arts:

  • Production and Design Major*
  • Stage and Production Management Major*

*Please note that these two new majors will come online in 2026.

Audition and interview documents

More information

For domestic student enquiries please go to Future Students.
For international student enquiries please go to International Students.

If you would like to know more about WAAPA courses, please visit the WAAPA Study areas web page.

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