Performing Arts

{ Theatre, Dance, Indigenous, Burlesque }

Organisations, Meetups, Companies & Venues, Directory

Organisations

  • Performing Arts WA - the peak body for the performing arts in Western Australia. We represent, support and promote the people behind the State's vibrant performing arts sector.
  • Circuit West- develops and connects those in the business of performing arts.
  • Independent Theatre Association of WA Inc. (ITA) - supports member groups and individuals involved in community theatre throughout Western Australia and promotes the performing arts and building community participation in live theatre
  • Perth Theatre Trust - statutory authority which manages and operates His Majesty's Theatre, the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, the Subiaco Arts Centre and the Albany Entertainment Centre.
  • Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) - works year-round, and across Australia, to connect contemporary Australian theatre, dance, emerging and experimental art with national and international opportunities.
  • Australia Council > Major Performing Arts Framework - the federal body administering to the arts, with information on major performing arts companies and projects. (2011 MPA Framework PDF)
  • Performing Arts Connections (PAC) - the national peak body representing and supporting performing arts presenters and creators in Australia by providing leadership, building capacity and facilitating relationships that strengthens the connection between the art and the audience.

Acting Classes, Amateur Theatre

  • The Hub Studio - a resource and development centre for working professional actors and creatives. We are here to empower actors and creatives to achieve their dreams by providing goods and services that advance their careers on a daily basis. We are not a drama school, we are an incubator – a Hub.
  • AMA Actors Studio - facilitating the highest quality of training for those who are serious about working on camera, our courses have been specifically designed to immerse actors into the exciting world of the entertainment industry.
  • Perth Academy of Performing Arts - a close community of teachers and performing artists dedicated to providing affordable high quality training and performance opportunities to Perth families. Locations in Morley, Cockburn and Northam, and classes from age 5 to Adults.​​
  • Nicholson Academy of Screen Acting - provides the type of performance training that will instill actors with the necessary skills to pave their own way in the film and television industry.
  • Jome Club of Performing Arts- meets weekly to let people experience the thrill of performing on stage, free trial then paid membership 18+.
  • Perth Community Theatre FB Page - dedicated to providing information of productions to people interested in theatre. Please feel free to post show info on this page.
  • Acting Classes in Perth | FB Page - an acting school for beginners with a reputation for delivering a range of high quality courses to people looking for a creative outlet through to aspiring actors who want to start their acting career.​
  • Perth Youth Theatre - acting workshops and performances for children.
  • Arts Hub > Performing Arts (subsection) - filter with news on local Performing Arts news.

Acting Meetups

  • Perth Improv, Comedy and Acting Meetup - Want to get in to live performance in a way that's fun and community orientated? With a focus on fun and laughter, we run regular free events to introduce people to improvised comedy. Develop skills, meet new people and discover your funny.
  • Perth Theatre-Goers - This group is for those looking to seek out new and interesting live performances, or even the more mainstream, publicised shows at the State Theatre, The Regal, or His Majesty's.
  • Carpe Diem - The Meetup group is a place where people unite to create, inspire, contribute, and to assist in change in a positive way via the performing arts, support, information, charities, issues & organisations. Carpe Diem.
  • Acting|Photography|Film Connect - This is a group for people who enjoy acting or photography or making films in any capacity. It is open to people of all levels of experience and ability, and we welcome anyone who wants to try to contribute to the group with a joyful, creative attitude.
  • Barefaced Stories - acting/storytelling event at The Bird Cafe.
  • Perth Theatre Fanatics - People who love the theatre, seeing live performances of drama, comedy, Shakespeare, etc. Let's get out and see some of the great theatre events that Perth has to offer!!

Theatre & Dance Venues

State Theatre Trust Venues:

  • His Majesty's Theatre - an Edwardian Baroque theatre in Perth, Western Australia.
  • State Theatre Centre of WA - opened in January 2011, the State Theatre Centre is WA’s newest theatre.
  • Subiaco Arts Centre - formerly Subiaco Theatre Centre, and prior to that the Subiaco Town Hall, was constructed in 1957, in post-war international style.
  • King Street Arts Centre - a home for arts and cultural organisations representing a blend of your, regional, community and professional arts activity and practice.
  • Perth Concert Hall - the venue hosts a huge number of diverse performances and events all year round – including, but not limited to, popular music, comedy, classical music and talks. Currently the home of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).

Other Venues

  • Blueroom Theatre - Western Australia’s home of independent theatre
  • Burswood Crown Theatre - the world’s biggest shows have come to Crown - the home of entertainment. Check out our current and upcoming musicals, concerts and theatre shows.
  • Curtin's Hayman Theatre - the showcase for students studying Theatre Arts at Curtin, the longest established tertiary theatre course in Western Australia.
  • Limelight Theatre - situated in Civic Drive, in the heart of the Wanneroo townsite. It is managed and operated by Wanneroo Repertory Inc., a not-for-profit organisation.
  • University Theatres UWA – Octagon Theatre, Winthrop Hall, the Dolphin Theatre, the Somerville Auditorium, the New Fortune Theatre and the Sunken Gardens.
  • Roleystone Theatre - not-for-profit community group, managed entirely by volunteers, with roles including; actors, musicians, directors, crew, make-up artists, front of house, committee etc.
  • Acorn Theatre - the smallest theatre in the world (Guinness book of Records 2001), produces high quality productions with an active membership.
  • Old Mill Theatre - heritage-listed theatre, one of the most historic buildings in South Perth.

Professional Theatre Companies

  • Perth Theatre Company - founded as SWY Theatre Company by graduates from the specialist Theatre Arts course at John Curtin Senior High School in 1983.
  • Black Swan Theatre Company - Western Australia’s flagship theatre company, earning critical and popular acclaim for its world premiere productions and distinctive re-interpretations of international theatre classics.
  • Barking Gecko Theatre Company - has created exquisite award-winning productions for nearly 30 years, making it WA’s longest running professional theatre company, dedicated to inspiring children and families to embrace a life full of curiosity, empathy and play.
  • The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA - bringing entertainment to the people of Western Australia through the musical genius of Gilbert and Sullivan since 1951!
  • Spare Parts Puppet Theatre - Australia’s flagship puppetry company dedicated to the development and creation of the art form. Through puppetry we share stories that celebrate what it is to be human; connecting audiences across generations.
  • Melville Theatre Company - the brainchild of the late David J. Burton who, in 1982, called a meeting for interested people in the community to form a theatre company in the Melville area.
  • BLAK Yak Theatre - Blak Yak is a not for profit, nomadic community theatre group.
  • Playlovers - has been in operation for over 55 years and is one of the state’s foremost community theatre groups.. We have 4 – 6 productions a year (usually including 1 or 2 musicals).
  • Theatre Kwong - the creative brainchild of Artistic Director Simon Yam after he returned to Perth, Australia to pursue his Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre and Drama Studies with Murdoch University in 1998.

Dance Organisations

Organisations

  • AusDance - the WA peak body, representing dance artists, choreographers, companies and educators, Paul Selwyn Norton (Director).
  • Strut Dance - the national choreographic development centre.

Studios

  • Anything is Valid Dance Theatre - Perth's premiere company for dance in alternative spaces.
  • Co3 - we create a progressive platform for integrating and engaging Western Australia’s diverse community in the facilitation and exchange of stories that reflect experiences from and with our country.
  • Danza Viva - one of the premier Spanish Dance ensembles in Australia, staging many and varied productions with top calibre local performers and international guest stars.
  • Dancing Dhevas - Open Floor dancing is a freeform conscious dance where there is no right or wrong, no set moves and no talking.
  • West Australian Ballet - offers an extensive program of dance throughout the year, with three to four major seasons in Perth, regional touring throughout Western Australia, choreographic workshops, an extensive education program and other community activities.
  • Principal Academy - established 2008, one of Australia’s leading full-time vocational training organisations for the Performing Arts. Centrally located in Leederville, the dance, musical theatre and acting Academy has excellent teaching facilities with modern purpose built, fully equipped studios.

Dance Training

  • The Dance Collective - dance training centre and performance company for all ages and abilities, with award-winning teachers and choreographers for Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Lyrical, Breaking, Dancehall and Heels.
  • Perth International Dance - runs regular traditional dance classes around Perth as well as workshops for schools and festivals.

Dancing Meetups

Meetup Dance Groups in Perth including:

  • Learn to Social Dance Perth
  • Perth Dance and Fitness Meetup
  • No Lights No Lycra
  • JDK Dance
  • Social Dancing
  • Ellie Gleen - T Rock and Roll and Juve
  • Perth Bollywood and Bhangra
  • Swing Dancing in Mount Hawthorn
  • Modern Jive Dancing
  • Modern Jive Dance
  • Healing Grounding Belly Dance Midland
  • Afrotonic Perth WA
  • Swing Dancing in Applecross
  • Ballroom Fit: Keep Moving for the Young at Heart
  • The Vic Park Village Hub
  • Perth Balboa Swing Dancers
  • Free Kizomba Dance Lesson and Free Social Dancing
  • Perth Social Dance Meetup Group
  • Perth Argentine Tango Meetup Group
  • Perth West Coast Swing Dancing Meetup Group

Dance - Indigenous & Remote

(This section is copied from Arts Edge)

"Western Australian dance performers, organisations or programs:

National organisations and dance training institutions:

Protocols:

Australia Council: Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian performing arts."

"Further reading and contacts:

  • Australian Indigenous Ceremony – song, music and dance.
  • Australian Museum - Paint Up-Aboriginal Dance.
  • Aboriginal song and dance ceremonies – Kimberley/via Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery.
  • Mowanjum Festival - coordinated by the Worrorra, Ngarinyin, and Wunumbal tribes which make up the Mowanjum community outside Derby, Western Australia.
  • Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival - Cape York Peninsula.
  • Boomerang Festival – music and dance.
  • Yothu Yindi Foundation – Garma Festival: The largest and most vibrant annual celebration of Yolngu (Aboriginal people of north east Arnhem Land). The Garma Festival incorporates visual art, ancient storytelling, dance, and music as well as other important forums and education and training programs relevant to cultural tourism, craft, governance and youth leadership.
  • Walking with Spirits Festival - Malkgulumbu, Beswick Falls, a hidden treasure on Jawoyn Land in the south western corner of Arnhem Land. An ancient playground, this incredible site is open to the public for one weekend, once a year, when the Wugularr (Beswick) Community invite visitors to share their songs, stories, dance and music.
  • Video: Looking at Aboriginal identity through dance. Filmmaker Eddie Diamandi explores choreographer mariaa Randall's dance practice and how it intertwines with her Indigenous heritage."

Burlesque

  • Sugar Blue Burlesque | FB Group - both a performance troupe and burlesque academy! Sugar Blue Burlesque's fusion of classic burlesque, authentic jazz age dances, elaborate vintage costumes and crowd pleasing theatricality make Sugar Blue Burlesque one of Australia's finest burlesque companies!
  • Lady Velvet Cabaret | FB Group - burst onto Perth’s burlesque scene in 2009 and since then has continued to flourish and grow with an ever-increasing range of services available.
  • Club Freak | FB Group - an alternative lifestyle night and by that we mean it's a pansexual, kink-friendly, freak friendly social club.
  • Miss Burlesque Australia | Perth Final - the country's most presitigious burlesque competition, running since 2010.
  • Perth International Burlesque Festival - brings unparalleled International and Australian burlesque, cabaret and variety performers to Perth and regional Western Australia.
  • Carnal Society FB Group - the Carnal Society aims to provide Perth with an all-inclusive fetish event where you can be yourself.

Performing Arts Directories

[See printed version of Campaign Brief for updated Directories by category, e.g. casting, make-up artists, model agencies, photographers, stylists, voice-overs etc]

Perth Creatives Directory