Elisha Beston ’14 Returns to UWCSEA as an Arts Educator
By the Alumni and Communications Team, UWCSEA
9 July 2026
It is always a pleasure to welcome alumni back to Dover Road, but it is even more special when they return to help shape the next generation of UWCSEA students. Since graduating in 2014, Elisha Beston ’14 has lived many lives: musical theatre performer, business owner, and radio DJ. Now, as she completes her International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE) and prepares to transition into a full-time teaching career, in an interview, Elisha shares her reflections on her journey from the UWCSEA stage to the front of the classroom.
It’s been over a decade since you walked across the graduation stage at UWCSEA. What has life looked like for you since 2014?
It’s been a wild ride that all started right here on Dover Road! Since leaving, I graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Political Science. I spent time performing across North America on a National Tour of a Musical before returning to Singapore to start my own company, Freddo Children’s Theatre.
UWCSEA shaped me in more ways than I can describe! From stage managing UN Night and hiking in Nepal to rehabilitating sun bears in Thailand during Project Week. Those experiences were such a gift. These days, my life is a bit of a juggle; I work as a radio DJ, actor, and freelance teacher, all while finishing my iPGCE to become a full-time international school drama teacher.
You’ve spent the last year back on campus for your teaching placement. What was it like stepping back onto Dover Campus; not as a student, but as an educator?
It’s been both familiar and eye-opening. Some things haven’t changed, like my go-to lunch! But other things reflect how much progress the world has made. Beyond the facilities, I see a much stronger focus on inclusion and student support.
Technology is also a huge shift. I remember when the school first announced every student would get a laptop; it felt like such a massive deal then, whereas now it’s just a given. Seeing the diversity in the classroom again made me realise how much I took it for granted as a student. Not everyone gets to grow up with friendships from every corner of the globe.
Drama That Inspires Belonging
Your company, Freddo Children’s Theatre, focuses specifically on young audiences. What draws you to that specific niche of performance?
Creating theatre in Singapore allows me to reflect UWC Values in a local context. Last year, I produced Beautiful Oops! The Musical, which celebrates risk-taking and learning from mistakes—a message I think is vital for kids.
Representation matters deeply to me. I was so proud to include real child voices in Singapore’s key languages: Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, and English. And this also extends to partnerships we have with local community organisations, where we break down economic barriers by dedicating 10% of all seats as free tickets for families who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to experience theatre. My goal is to create a space where young people see themselves and feel a sense of belonging, much like I did when I first discovered performance.
How does your work as a producer overlap with your work in the classroom?
They both demand the same thing: creativity, energy, and adaptability. Whether I’m producing a show for two-year-olds or training secondary students in my traineeship, the core purpose is enriching young people. I love using my "producer brain" to make the drama classroom feel entertaining and engaging. Working with the Drama Department this year has been incredible.
Seeing the dedication of the teachers from "the other side" has set a very high bar for me. No shortcuts are taken, and every student is genuinely cared for. That’s the standard I want to uphold in my own career.”
– Elisha Beston ’14
Turning Lessons Into Future Opportunities
As you look toward the future of arts education, what are you hoping to see evolve?
It’s exciting to see the direction pedagogical research is taking, especially regarding inclusivity and global perspectives. These values are so deeply embedded in me because of UWCSEA that I can’t imagine teaching or creating any other way. I want to continue advocating for arts spaces where every child feels they have a voice.
Finally, what is on your horizon for the rest of 2026?
It’s going to be a big year! I’ll be starting a teaching role at UWCSEA in the new school year, a full-circle moment I’m thrilled about. Reflecting on the exceptional teachers who guided and inspired me during my own time here, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to now play a similar role in the lives of today’s students. It is both a privilege and an honour to contribute to their learning and creative journeys. On the production side, I’m remounting Wheels on the Bus at Gateway Theatre this August. We had a sold-out run in 2022 and I can’t wait to share it with even more families.
Elisha will be starting her role as a Teacher of Middle School Drama on Dover Campus this August! We can’t wait for what the next generation of young artists can learn from her from Dover Road and beyond.