Five People in the Performing Arts Industry to Come Out of WAAPA

These stars got their start at WAAPA 💫

This article is presented in partnership with Edith Cowan University.

Ever watched an amazing film, attend a jaw-dropping theatre show, or listen to a soothing melody and wonder where that person got their start?

With loads of amazing Aussie talent in the arts scene there are many role models out there for fellow theatre kids, aspiring singers and even those who dream of production and design.

A national and internationally recognised institution, The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) has seen heaps of stars come through their doors.

If you’re looking to start your career and ignite your passion at WAAPA, here are five graduates you can gain inspo from!

And if you want a sneap peek behind the curtain at WAAPA, you can head to their Open Day at Edith Cowan University's (ECU) Mount Lawley campus Sunday 28 April from 10am til 3pm. 

Acting: Hoa Xuande.

Hoa Xuande (left) in The Sympathiser.

If you watched Australian telly, you would have seen Hoa Xuande on ABC playing Elvin in Ronny Chieng: International Student. Now the Acting graduate is starring in the new HBO series The Sympathizer. Based on the novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, Hoa will be co-starring alongside Robert Downey Jr, Sandra Oh and Kieu Chinh. 

He’s also been in TV shows like Cleverman, Hungry Ghosts and Last King of the Cross.

Dance: Robert Alejandro Tinning.

Drawing inspo from his heritage and the Afro Diaspora, Bachelor of Arts (Dance) graduate, Robert Alejandro Tinning has worked on projects with Stephanie Lake Company, Jade Dewi and Kurt Page, Great Southern Dance and Shaun Parker & Company.

His dance experience has also seen him collaborate with fellow WAAPA graduate and Actor and Director Dacre Montgomery (aka Billy in Stranger Things) on a short dance film titled Nightmares.

Singing: Amy Reeves.

She may have placed second on Australian Idol, but Amy Reeves still had audiences star-struck when she sang Jessie J’s Bang Bang in the final. The performance prompted Australian Idol Judge, Kyle Sandilands to tell the Broome singer that he “hopes she wins”.

The WAAPA Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance) graduate found her love for singing in her teen years living in the Kimberley. Now she hopes to inspire other regional kids to follow their dreams too. We love!

Musical Theatre: Jason Arrow.

Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton (middle).

After growing up in Rockingham, WA, Jason Arrow discovered musical theatre when he was in Year 8. After starring in Little Shop of Horrors, he successfully auditioned for WAAPA's Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) degree. 

Now, you might have recognised him from playing Alexander Hamilton in the Australian and International tour of Hamilton in 2021 and 2023. Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical will be excited because Jason is reprising his role as Hamilton returns down under in 2024.

Performance Making: Grace Chow.

Grace Chow (left) an Mark Cole Smith (right) in Mystery Road: Origin.

Despite graduating from WAAPA's Bachelor of Performing Arts degree, specialising in Performance Making in 2020 (as Dux) in the middle of the Perth lockdown, it hasn’t stopped Grace Chow from accomplishing major feats since then. Speaking to Fabric Quarterly, she said “it was a challenging but fruitful time. It was inspiring to see artists take pause to reimaging the sector and increase the online accessibility of work.”

She’s had roles such as Constable Cindy Cheung in Mystery Road: Origin starring opposite WAAPA Aboriginal Performance grad, Mark Cole Smith and Wendy Hang in The Twelve Season 2.

If you're interested in joining these five in becoming a performer or working in production, head down to the WAAPA Open Day Sunday 28 April from 10am to 3pm. 

Find out what course best suits you, check out the campus and meet staff and alumni who can tell you what a degree at WAAPA looks like!

Head here for more info.