The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) was established in 1980 to provide performing arts tuition. WAAPA (commonly pronounced "whopp-a") operates as a part of ECU, located at the ECU campus in Mount Lawley, a suburb in Perth, Western Australia. Professor David Shirley is the Executive Dean of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), at Edith Cowan University. Previously, holding posts as the Director of the Manchester School of Theatre and the Head of the School of Theatre at Rose Bruford College in Kent. Courses WAAPA provides courses in many fields of performing arts including acting, music theatre, directing, dance, jazz and contemporary music, classical music, performance making, arts management, production, and design. 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. Performance season A further primary purpose of the academy is to stage concerts and performances, laying the path for students' transition to professional life. Every year WAAPA stages hundreds of concerts and performances across the genres of jazz, contemporary and classical music, composition and music technology, dance, acting, and musical theatre. Venues and facilities The WAAPA buildings and facilities form part of the Edith Cowan University campus in Mount Lawley, a suburb in Perth, Western Australia. The academy currently has eight public performance spaces. These include the Geoff Gibbs Theatre (a 270-seat proscenium arch theatre), the Roundhouse Theatre (a 130-seat court style theatre), the 165-seat Music Auditorium, an outdoor amphitheatre, Enright Studio, Dance Studios, and Jazz Studio. 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. Twelve large rehearsal and dance studios, numerous music and ensemble studios, a specialised visual and performing arts library collection, and numerous exhibition spaces. 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. Academic appointments 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