Elise studied acting in London at the Academy Drama School and Mountview Conservatoire for the Performing Arts. Upon returning to NZ she took part in the STAB programme at BATS and then went on to produce, direct and light several Fringe and independent shows.

Following this Elise worked at Capital E and worked closely with the National Theatre for Children and worked on the National Children’s Festival. Having studied the technicalities of being both on stage and behind it, Elise feels she has a good holistic understanding of what goes into staging a show.