ABOUT US

Nora Neo-Crothers is the Founder and Director of inwardBOUND, with over 20 years of experience in drama education. She has directed more than 30 school musicals and productions, and guided students to achieve 70+ SYF Distinctions at the secondary level. A graduate with First Class Honours in Drama and Performance, Nora has received multiple Outstanding Contribution Awards for her work in schools and was named 1st runner-up for the Woman of Asia – Rising Star Award (RBS, Coutts & Financial Times). She is the creator of the NAC-endorsed re:ACT Festival, bringing together youth, seniors, and diverse communities to co-create performances that spark dialogue, empathy, and social change. Beyond schools, Nora has worked extensively with governmental and national organisations such as the Singapore Kindness Movement, Singapore Police Force, and the National Arts Council, using drama as a platform for staff training, public education campaigns, and touring assembly shows that communicate important social messages in engaging ways. At inwardBOUND, Nora leads the company’s mission to deliver transformative drama programmes. Her vision is to use theatre to build confidence, empathy, and resilience, empowering every child to shine on and off the stage.

Raiya is trained in playwriting, acting, devising, and mask work, and has led programmes at both primary and secondary levels. Her productions have included SYF Distinction (2023) showcases, where students developed original devised pieces under her guidance. Raiya’s programmes focus on creativity, spontaneity, and confidence-building, making drama a joyful and empowering experience for students.

Biwa is MOE-registered in Drama, Speech & Communication, Malay Dance, and Musical Theatre. With her multi-disciplinary background, she integrates performing arts to prepare students for SYF presentations, musicals, and CCA showcases. Biwa’s inclusive approach ensures every student — from beginners to experienced performers — finds a way to shine, making her a valued mentor in both primary and secondary school CCAs.

Ella has more than 10 years of experience creating bilingual drama curricula in Singapore and China, including at NAFA International Arts Preschool. She helps young learners build confidence in communication while nurturing creativity, preparing them for success in both language and performance from an early age.

Haiky is a versatile performer and educator trained in physical theatre and choreography. He specialises in Creative Drama and Musical Theatre, designing programmes that blend movement, voice, and storytelling. With experience across primary and secondary schools, Haiky brings energy and professionalism to student productions, empowering them to take risks and grow in confidence on stage.

Isaiah Christopher Lee is the Co-Director of inwardBOUND, where he leads the company’s artistic direction and programme design for schools across Singapore. A theatre practitioner, educator, and director with more than 15 years of experience, Isaiah specialises in directing, music and sound design, and applied theatre practices. He has staged productions at national venues including the Esplanade, Drama Centre, and National Gallery Singapore, and was awarded the prestigious Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (2023). As an educator, Isaiah has taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), the National University of Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University Singapore, mentoring the next generation of performers. At inwardBOUND, Isaiah co-leads the company’s mission to deliver drama programmes that are both artistically rigorous and educationally impactful. He oversees school musicals, CCA training, and SYF preparation, ensuring students gain not just performance skills but also creativity, confidence, and 21st Century Competencies. Isaiah is especially passionate about interdisciplinary theatre, integrating elements of music, movement, and media into student productions. His vision is to empower young people to see theatre as both an art form and a tool for collaboration, empathy, and innovation.

With over a decade of experience in drama pedagogy, Benjin has worked extensively with secondary schools and junior colleges, guiding Drama CCAs to multiple SYF Certificates of Distinction. He is highly skilled in playwriting, devising, and Forum Theatre, creating platforms where students develop both artistry and critical thinking. His workshops balance creativity with discipline, helping students produce work that is polished, meaningful, and performance-ready.

With more than 15 years in speech and drama, Haddad has trained hundreds of students in creative communication, self-expression, and stage presence. His teaching is interactive and engaging, particularly effective with primary school students. Haddad’s strength lies in building confidence through play and performance, giving every child the tools to express themselves clearly and creatively.

Aurora has extensive experience facilitating Drama CCAs, Forum Theatre, and physical theatre workshops in secondary schools. She is committed to helping students use theatre as a space for exploration and collaboration. Aurora has directed CCA groups towards successful SYF presentations, equipping students with the ability to approach social issues critically through drama.

Hashiena is a specialist in speech, drama, and phonics-based learning. She excels at designing play-based drama sessions that foster imagination and early literacy, ensuring young learners develop both language and confidence through creative storytelling. Her strength lies in using storytelling and drama as teaching tools — guiding children to explore themes such as friendship, resilience, and values through role-play and performance.

Sarah Francisco is the Operations Manager at inwardBOUND, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth delivery of the organisation’s programmes across schools and community partners. She oversees all aspects of daily operations, including logistics, scheduling, and administration. Bringing a robust professional background in end-to-end project management, cross-functional team leadership, and high-tier customer experience, Sarah excel at optimizing workflows and keeping large-scale initiatives on track. With a proven track record as an Associate Project Manager and Shift Lead, she specializes in implementing agile framework methodologies, refining operational processes, and steering teams toward tight deadlines without sacrificing quality. Sarah's ability to balance strategic, data-driven oversight with hands-on, proactive problem-solving allows inwardBOUND to remain agile, adaptable, and highly responsive to the evolving needs of schools and communities. Passionate about building efficient systems, managing resource calendars, and establishing structured processes, she provides the stable organisational backbone that empowers trainers and directors to focus fully on their creative and educational work. Her meticulous attention to detail, clear cross-platform communication, and steadfast commitment to operational excellence make her an indispensable leader of the inwardBOUND team, driving its mission to deliver high-quality drama education programmes that inspire and engage learners.

Naquiah is a drama educator with more than 10 years in the field. She specialises in devising, musical theatre, and playwriting, and has guided students in both primary and secondary schools to achieve SYF success. Naquiah is recognised for her ability to adapt drama programmes to school contexts, weaving in MOE values education and SEL outcomes while nurturing confidence and communication in her students.

Phoebe brings over 7 years of experience as a drama and dance educator. She has successfully led Drama CCAs at secondary and JC levels, with her productions earning SYF Distinction (Drama, 2021) and SYF Accomplishment (Dance, 2024). Phoebe specialises in movement, choreography, and stage presence, helping students bring physicality and dynamism to their performances while fostering ensemble cohesion.

Rebecca Burch has been a drama trainer with inwardBOUND since 2007. A graduate of LASALLE, she brings over 15 years of experience in working with primary and secondary students. Rebecca is passionate about integrating drama, music, and movement into creative education. Outside the classroom, she performs regularly as a vocalist, bringing her love of live performance into her teaching. She is known for creating energetic, engaging, and supportive spaces where students grow in confidence and artistic expression.