Author: Elana Shyong

𝑺𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 Drama in Education 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓! 🌏🎭 ✨ After working with this applied theatre company online during the pandemic and delivering a successful in-person training last year, I’m honoured to be invited once again to lead a three-day professional development programme on Drama in…

It always brightens my day when I receive messages like this from parents. This kind of feedback reminds me why I do what I do. I run an online drama club called The Drama Playground that acts as a creative space where kids can come, play, laugh, and learn important social skills like creative collaboration…

As someone who has grown up across different cultures, thinking about cultural norms, values, and unspoken differences has always been second nature to me – I’m very privileged to have it be a part of my lived experience. 🌏✨ Facilitating the Iceberg of Culture activity during our inclusive education training was a powerful moment. We…

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏—𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏? This is another 1 of the inquiries we’ll also dive into during Enchanted this year (with me!!). Enchanted is a gathering that has carved out a very special corner in my heart, and I am beyond thrilled to return, this…

Yesterday I had one of those conversations that fills your cup. I reconnected with Emma Goodman, a high school friend who I haven’t spoken to in years—our last in-person memory is a blurry, joy-filled trip to Amsterdam nearly a decade ago! ✨ I reached out after seeing her amazing project Embolden by Em, and I’m…

This week, I’m running a course on Positive Education, and so much of our discussion has turned to how powerful nature’s role is in well-being and a positive mindset. From a walk in nature to calm our nervous system to holding classes outdoors to engage deeper and with more joy, we are all in agreement…

Just last week, I was deeply honoured to be re-elected to serve another four years as a trustee on the board of ISTA – Global Learning Through the Arts. It is a privilege to continue advocating for the power of theatre alongside such an inspiring community and learning so much from my fellow trustees and…

Two of my favorite drama techniques aren’t just fun for kids—they help develop essential 21st-century skills like confidence, critical thinking, and collaboration. 🎭 Hot-Seating – Kids step into character and answer questions in role, strengthening their quick thinking, creativity, and ability to express ideas on the spot—valuable skills for public speaking, leadership, and communication. 🎭…

As a woman in public speaking and facilitation, I’ve often read, heard, and even witnessed first hand remarks that traits like empathy, softness, and emotional intelligence dismissed as “weak”—but in reality, they are exactly what make my work stronger. Creating a safe and open space isn’t just a nice addition—it’s vital. When people feel heard,…

Just wrapped up another Positive Education training, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite courses to teach! 💛 Every session leaves me feeling more positive myself and reminded of the power of small, intentional changes. One of the highlights? Our Gratitude Jar—each day, we added something we were grateful for, a simple practice that…