With 27 years of teaching experience, Elnie is no stranger to the theatre community, with extensive work in performance, production and stage management, direction, and drama training. She started a full-time position with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in 2012, overseeing their technical theatre course as a Section Head with the vision of developing thinking technicians in the theatre that would be fully prepared to join the professional world. Elnie also served as the drama trainer for the ITE Theatrical Ensemble, a role she recently passed on to Othman Yusoff, an alumnus of the Ensemble and one of the many young stage and production managers she has mentored over the years.

How did you get into teaching? 

I started teaching by accident. I was a full-time actor under Drama Arts Limited for their arts education programmes. One day, one of their drama trainers was not able to make it, and I was asked to cover the class in a primary school. I remember being wary, but my boss, Mr Edwin Roberts, told me, “Don’t look at it as teaching, see it as a sharing of knowledge.”

And since then, I never looked back.

Have there been challenges in your teaching journey?

The challenges I have had to go through always stemmed from managing expectations from the management. I understand fully the need to be part of industry trends, and more recently, incorporating artificial intelligence and sustainability in every conversation. However, I do feel at times, there is a disconnect with what is happening on the ground. 

Surrounding myself with a great team that works towards one common goal: “The Students’ Learning”. That is what keeps me ploughing through tough times. Of course, coffee and chocolate can also do the trick. 

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

So, if I could guide students to turn a new leaf, or help them to “switch on” a light bulb in their head, that would make my day. When I see my ITE students pursuing their Masters’ locally or overseas, I smile because I remember the struggles they overcame. And sometimes I would meet immigration officers at the checkpoints who would tell me of how they missed their drama lessons back in primary school: these are the moments when I feel that I have made a difference in their lives.

What are your hopes for every batch of students you encounter? 

To create their own paths when they graduate, undeterred by their family’s and friends’ expectations.