Estovan Reizo Cheah’s CV is impressive. He may be just eight years old, but he’s already amassed a long list of credits – on stage and on screen.
You might remember him from Fifty and Fabulous, a drama serial that aired on Mediacorp Channel 8.
There’s no mistaking his sunshiny smile in advertisements for the likes of Singtel, Lazada and Bobo Fishball.
He’s even shared the stage with Taiwanese theatre veteran Irene Luo in Super Mommy (我的妈妈是ENY), a musical that played at the Resorts World Sentosa Theatre for over a month.
“I love it all!” Estovan proclaims during a break from recording the cast album of A $ingapore Carol. “Acting, singing, dancing – even hosting!”
Yes, that’s right – Estovan has also hosted live events, such as the 2018 ASEAN gala dinner.
It might sound a little overwhelming, but it’s evident that Estovan loves every second of it.
In fact, he loves performing so much that he’s had to cut a deal with his mom, Estina.
“My mother said I can go and perform, but only if I go to school!” he confesses. “She told me that school is equally important, so I have to manage my studies well too.”
Not Just Glitz and Glamour
Juggling his school work with his performance schedule can be challenging.
Before arriving at the recording studio today, Estovan had to complete a series of revision papers in English, Chinese and maths. Over the past week, he’s sat for his oral and listening comprehension exams.
On top of that, he goes for classes regularly to improve as a singer and dancer.
He also has to study his lines for upcoming projects.
“My mother goes through my lines with me every week,” says Estovan. “And once it’s almost show-time, like a week before, we’ll go through my lines every day until I’m familiar with them.”
As a performer, Estovan also has to grapple with stage fright.
“I’m more nervous when performing on stage and live,” he confesses. “Because, when filming, you can always re-take if you make a mistake.”
Estovan discovered his love of performing five years ago, when he was just three years old and still in nursery school.
“I loved singing and dancing with my friends on stage!” he remembers.
It’s one of the reasons why he’s so excited to be a part of A $ingapore Carol.
Like all of WILD RICE’s annual holiday musicals, the show features a host of young actors from the ages of 5 to 12, working alongside an adult cast featuring some of Singapore’s best actors.
“Sometimes, there are other kids in the shows I do – but only a few,” Estovan points out. “There are lots of kids in A $ingapore Carol, so I can make friends with them!”
He’s also excited for the opportunity to grow as a performer, since he’ll be working with some of the best theatre-makers in Singapore.
“I watched Mama White Snake last year and it was so creative!” he shares.
“That’s also why I wanted to be a part of this show – so I can learn new techniques!”
He’s already picked up some tips on singing from music director Elaine Chan, as well as new dance steps from choreographer Andy Benjamin Cai.
If he had to use one word to sum up his WILD RICE experience thus far?
“Fun!” he says, with a huge grin.
And you can tell he means it!
Catch the FIRST STAGE Kids, including Estovan, in A $ingapore Carol at the Victoria Theatre from 23 November to 15 December 2018!
