Drama Australia and DramaWest, in association with Perth Festival, Perth College, Edith Cowan University and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts proudly present the 2026 National Conference for Drama Educators.

With a two-day program of engaging keynote addresses, performances, workshops and research papers, as well as offerings and event discounts from our partners at Perth Festival, this national gathering aims to inspire our extraordinary community through a state of play.

On the sacred and stunning lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where you will often hear the sounds of the djity djity (willie wagtails) bouncing around, or a flock of karak (red-tailed black cockatoos) gliding overhead; come and play in WA.

The Fremantle Doctor's soothing cool sea breeze will offer a relaxing coastal feel, as you experience the arts and culture of this laid-back spot in Australia. Boorloo (Perth) is often described as a little ‘Mediterranean’, only with maali (black swans) sailing down the river alongside the boats.

Like the people, the kwokas (quokkas) are cute and friendly, and this will be an opportunity to get that iconic selfie with the world's most photogenic macropod under the lighthouse on Rottnest Island.

Perth Festival will be blossoming alongside the native flowers of Kaarta Gar-up (Kings Park) as the warm, sunny days of the Bunuru (Feb-Mar) season energise you.

So, will you come and play in WA?   

Conference Sub-themes:
 The DramaWest team have engineered and constructed this conference playground, that will be exploring the following themes:

• Playing with Design: Technology, AV, lighting, sound, costume, set, principles and elements of design etc.
  
• Playing with Practitioners: Form and style, rehearsal processes, performance approaches etc.
  
• Playing with Process: Cross-curricular, devising, research, engagement, improv, game-play, advocacy, play-based approaches, Process Drama etc.
  
• Playing with Text: Play texts, visual texts, playwriting, directing with texts, conventions of forms/styles of plays etc.
• Most importantly, playing out the 50th Anniversary of Drama Australia as a whole National community.

• Friday 27 February, 2026: 
  • Event: Conference Soft-Opening Networking Event 
    • In collaboration with Perth Festival
  • Time: 5.30 to 7.30 pm
  • Location: East Perth Power Station
  • All conference delegates are welcome to attend, along with Life Members and Drama Australia Members.

• Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March, 2026:​​​​
  • Event: Conference program commences
  • Times:
    • ​​​​​​​Sat: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
      • Perth Festival Night at the Theatre (see below for more info)
    • Sun: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
      • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Potential WAAPA collaboration post-conference. 
        
  • Location: Perth College Anglican School for Girls (31 Lawley Crescent, MOUNT LAWLEY, WA, 6050).
    
    
• Bonus For WA Residents:
  • Monday 2 March is a public holiday!