Western Sydney University & Actors Center Australia Revive Prestigious Acting Program, Preparing Stars for the Age of AI
PARRAMATTA, NSW – western Sydney is poised to once again become a breeding ground for acting talent with the relaunch of the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) program, a collaboration between Western Sydney University and the renowned Actors Centre Australia (ACA). After an 18-year absence, the program – building on the legacy of the famed Theater Nepean – will welcome its first cohort in Semester 1, 2026, offering a dynamic, industry-focused curriculum.[Image of ACA[ImageofACA
[ImageofACAWSUlaunchA498X310.jpg – Michelle Peh, Global Chief Brand Officer and Chief Operating Officer of mindchamps; Distinguished Professor Anthony Uhlmann, Associate Dean Research, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University; David Chiem, Founder, Group CEO and Executive Chairman of MindChamps and Executive Chairman of Actors Centre Australia; and Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.]The revival was celebrated at an event on August 25th at the University’s Parramatta South campus, attended by key figures including Western Sydney University Vice-chancellor distinguished Professor George Williams AO and ACA Chairman & MindChamps Founder David Chiem.
A Legacy Reborn
Theatre Nepean,the program’s predecessor,launched the careers of Australian stars like Joel Edgerton,David wenham,Yvonne Strahovski,and Celeste Barber. The new Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) aims to recapture that magic, combining rigorous conservatory-style training at the University’s Kingswood campus with ACA’s 35+ years of experience – an institution that has nurtured talents such as Hugh Jackman, Daniel Henshall, and Harriet Dyer.
“Western Sydney has a proud record of producing world-leading creative artists, and this investment by the University recognises that our region deserves its own dedicated, world-class performing arts program,” stated Professor Williams. “This landmark program…will produce highly skilled graduates ready for the demands of today’s exciting creative industries.”
Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
The program isn’t just focused on traditional acting techniques.ACA Chairman David Chiem, himself an alumnus of Western Sydney University, emphasized the need to equip actors for a rapidly changing world.
“We are living through an era of unprecedented change, as AI reshapes every industry, including the performing arts,” Chiem explained. “This degree fuses the craft of acting with the neuroscience of the Champion Mindset, empowering our graduates to…thrive in an AI-dominated future as authentic storytellers, innovators, and leaders.”
This innovative approach will integrate traditional acting technique with insights from performance research, including neuroscience, to foster creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence - skills increasingly vital in the age of artificial intelligence.
Industry Endorsement
The partnership has garnered strong support from industry leaders. Hugh Jackman, ACA Patron and alumnus, hailed the collaboration as ”a game changer for the Australian arts education sector,” adding that the combined strengths of the two institutions will prepare students to “enter the industry way above industry standards.”
The program will feature 20 core subjects focused on stage and screen performance,alongside four elective courses designed to build complementary skills. Students will benefit from real-world experience through internships, guest lectures, and student productions, fostering connections within the Australian theatre and entertainment industries.Key Takeaways:
Revived Program: The Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) returns to Western Sydney University after an 18-year hiatus.
Strong Partnership: Collaboration between Western Sydney university and Actors Centre Australia (ACA).
* Notable Alumni: Building on the
