WAAPA’s new City Campus opens with an exhilarating Performance Program
Tuesday, 03 February 2026
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WAAPA 2026 Performance Program
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) has released its 2026 Performance Program, with over 300 performances and concerts on offer throughout the year ahead at its newly opened city campus.
“This program ushers in an exciting new era for WAAPA as we welcome audiences to the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence at ECU City,” says Professor David Shirley, Executive Dean of WAAPA.
“Our brand-new performance space and state-of-the-art facility will ensure WAAPA continues its place at the forefront of performing arts training, both nationally and internationally.
This year also marks the start of the Premier Visiting Artists Fund which, through the generous support of Minderoo Foundation, will bring the world’s pre-eminent creative artists to WAAPA.
“Our partnership with Minderoo will enable WAAPA to deliver dynamic, highly enabling training and extraordinary performance experiences that serve to inspire and empower both current and future generations of arts practitioners,” says Professor Shirley.
In March, WAAPA is proud to present the inaugural Premier Visiting Artist, internationally renowned classical pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk. Described by Roger Woodward as ‘easily the most compelling pianist of his generation’, the Ukrainian-born Australian pianist will be at WAAPA for a week-long residency and concert.
Then in October the acclaimed Grammy-winning jazz composer and bandleader Maria Schneider will collaborate with the WAAPA Big Band to perform her celebrated works in the magnificent new McCusker Recital Hall.
Throughout the year, music lovers will enjoy a range of concerts from classical to jazz, contemporary to new music. There are free concerts for all, and free weekend music workshops for high school students.
Other highlights of the 2026 Performance Program include LINK Dance Company’s Enter Coda at the Liberty Theatre in May, featuring an excerpt of Hofesh Shechter’s Grand Finale, and a mid-year production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at the Heath Ledger Theatre starring the graduating Acting students.
September marks the inaugural performance in WAAPA’s gorgeous new Playhouse Theatre, a production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen performed by the Classical Voice and Music students. That same month, the Music Theatre students light up the Regal Theatre with the Broadway hit musical, & Juliet.
In November, the Performance Making students will stage a contemporary Australian reimagining of Euripides’ The Bacchae in WAAPA’s new Flex Theatre.
These are just a taste of what’s on offer at WAAPA this year. As this 2026 Performance Program proves, WAAPA’s venues might have changed but their performances and concerts remain as extensive and exciting as ever.
Get your copy of the 2026 WAAPA Performance Program in person from the WAAPA Box Office (entry via Roe St) or download your copy here. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, email your name and address details to waapaboxoffice@ecu.edu.au
2026 WAAPA PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: Download a copy here
Box Office and booking information
For further information or to discuss interview opportunities, please contact:
Anton Maz, Marketing Manager, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Phone: (08) 6304 6817 / mob: 0404 699 772 / email: a.maz@ecu.edu.au