Dr Frances Barbe is the Associate Dean of Performance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). She teaches the Bachelor of Performing Arts and Bachelor of Arts (Acting) courses and is a postgraduate research supervisor. She has also been a member of the Academic Board of the Intercultural Theatre Institute since 2017. 

She is a performance-maker with more than twenty years of experience. She has worked internationally as a performer, director, choreographer and teacher. Before commencing at WAAPA, ECU, Frances was based in the United Kingdom working at the University of Kent from 2001 – 2010 and as a special guest teacher at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Exeter University, Birkbeck University, Rose Bruford College, East 15 and Plymouth University.

She also worked freelance as a practising artist in London, throughout the UK and internationally. She was a member of Tadashi Endo's Butoh Mamu Dance Theatre (Germany 1997 - 2008), established Fran Barbe Dance Theatre (London, 2000 - 2010) and founded Theatre Training Initiative (London 1999 - 2010) for whom she curated two international Butoh festivals (2005 and 2009).