Story of Shanty

We speak with Shanty, Head Tutor here at Shakespeare4All, about her journey from musical theatre and performance to teaching, and how she brings creativity and confidence to students across Hong Kong.

Q: How did you end up at Shakespeare4All?

Honestly, a bit of a coincidence. I was at my previous job and was thinking about going back to freelancing — but I didn’t really like the format. A partner school teacher recommended S4A, I saw the Instagram post, thought it looked interesting, and sent my CV.

Q: What did you say in the interview that could’ve sunk you — but didn’t?

I was really blunt and said: “I don’t know anything about Shakespeare.”

Q: So why did you say yes in the end?

I liked the idea of working for an NGO. I’d worked in the commercial sector, and I volunteered a lot. I was looking for something I could contribute to more. I taught on the side too — I really wanted a mission. When I met you guys, I realised: yes, that’s the mission I want.

Q: What was the First project you worked on?

Spotlight — the Shakespeare Showtime programme in 2024. We did Twelfth Night. And I really got a taste of the company through the Gala Production, Much Ado About Nothing. I wasn’t too involved, but it helped me understand how everything works.

Q: What’s your job now — in one sentence?

I’m the Head Tutor, so it’s teaching plus admin plus developing programmes — basically figuring out how we can serve students better.

Q: What’s a “normal day” like for you?

That’s the thing — no two days are the same. It depends what cycle we’re in. Right now it’s Spotlight: supporting freelance tutors with information and sound effects, teaching my own classes, finishing blocking — and also developing things for next year with the Artistic Director, Nick, like scriptwriting and brainstorming.

Q: You said “no two days are the same” — even when teaching the same script to the schools?

Even if I’m teaching four schools on the same programme, every school is different. Every interpretation is different. Same script — different show.

Q: Were you always a drama person?

I’ve always been a theatre kid. But I come from a traditional family, so they wanted me to follow the university route first. I worked at a law firm for nine months and then I was like: I really can’t do this. So I trained in musical theatre for two years at HKAPA EXCEL.

Q: And after training?

Shanty: I performed at a theme park in Hong Kong — atmosphere actor, then captain. The goal was to give people joy and be happy. I think I achieved that, but inside I felt it wasn’t enough. I wanted to create change and serve more people, especially younger students. Teaching felt more like my calling.

Q: Shake Fest’s theme is “Stages of Me”: performing, learning, becoming. Which word are you right now?

Becoming. Honestly, it’s more about seeing how my students are becoming. I’ve done performing, and when I teach what I’ve learned, I can see them becoming themselves. They tell me after performing they have more confidence, they speak more English. Some of them, because of the programme, got into good secondary schools. I won’t say my actor journey is finished — but I’ve honed my skills enough to give back.

Q: What do students really learn with us — beyond acting?

Shanty: Two things: being open to challenges, and knowing it’s okay to make mistakes. In a traditional context, many learners don’t try because they don’t want to be wrong. Here in S4A, it’s a safe space to try — succeed or fail — and learn from the experience. And if they say the wrong line or try a new choice, it’s okay. They can come to me and say, “Miss Shanty, I want to try this,” and we talk through it.

Q: Give me one school moment that sums up why what S4A does matters.

A Tai Po school last year — they were new to the programme and didn’t offer students much English drama. At the start, the students were like: “Why are we doing this? Is it all just games?” Then it shifted to: “I love drama.” They became confident enough to ask questions in English, run classes in English, and they were proud of what they had achieved. They even wanted to perform Shakespeare at their open day — it wasn’t planned, they just wanted to showcase what they had learnt with S4A. Teachers told me they want to keep doing drama now because they could see students opening up and using English with confidence.