We truly are blessed to have the most talented, most dedicated, and most PASSIONATE team of Drama Educators here in the Capital District! Why not get to know a little bit more about them? Click on your child's teacher to view their teacher page - where you will find photos, bios, fun facts, videos, and more! Want a good laugh? Watch your DKI teachers making fools out of themselves (yet again!) out our 2019 Viral Teacher Video: Drama Kids Teacher Rock the World! Better yet, take a minute to give them some kudos before or after class or show them some love on our Drama Kids Facebook Page. That's the fuel that keeps us teachers going! :) Check out our Teachers in action!
Director and Owner of Drama Kids of the Capital Region "People find this hard to believe, but I was quite the wallflower growing up. I suffered from extremely low self-esteem and struggled with social anxiety. My poor mother had to practically drag me out of the house when it came to participating in after-school activities, or even going to birthday parties and play dates. But it was in my Junior High Drama Club where I began to learn how to cope with that anxiety, and where my confidence was strengthened. I finally came out of my shell - and never looked back! I eventually came to the realization that life is acting - we take on different characters whether we are socializing at a party, giving a speech at a seminar, or teaching a crazy bunch of Drama Kids! Everyone needs a place where they feel they belong and can relax and be themselves...and I was able to find that place in my Drama Classes. The positive atmosphere of exploring my innate talents while learning to work with others in a constructive and creative way was a huge boost to my self-esteem. I am living proof that drama can fundamentally impact success educationally and personally!" BIOGRAPHYDeanna is a proud mother of two – and “Drama Mama” to all her Drama Kids across the Capital Region. Deanna holds a BA in Music Performance and Elementary Education from Vassar College and attended graduate school at the University of Albany where she earned her MS in Literacy and Elementary Education. She has been involved in theatre all her life as a professional actress, director and art educator. A certified NYS teacher, she has twenty years of teaching experience, working with children of all ages. When she found a program that was focused on building confidence, speaking and acting skills in children, Deanna knew it was the ideal match for her talents and passion. She is proud to have made a dramatic difference in the lives of thousands of Capital Region children! Deanna shares her own story of personal development through drama in this article, Deanna's Picture galleryVIRAL TEACHER VIDEOS!
Artistic Director "The Shenendehowa Musical Company was more than a drama club to me. It was a safe place where I could express myself without stressing over popularity contests and judgmental teenagers. I could become someone else on stage, all the while not knowing I was really developing my own personal character. Being involved with theatre in high school gave me the self confidence to pursue whatever endeavors would come next. For me that ultimately turned out to be a career in theatre education, and I couldn't be happier." BIOGRAPHYJillian is thrilled to be celebrating her seventh year with Drama Kids as our newly appointed Artistic Director! Graduating from SUNY Albany in 2009, Jillian earned a BA in Theatre with a concentration in directing and production, as well as a minor in English with a concentration in Shakespearean Studies. After being a part of the local theatre scene for many years as an actor, director, producer, stage manager, dramaturge, and costume/prop master, Jillian feels she has now found her true calling in teaching at DKI. She feels privileged to be helping to guide the youth of the Capital District to confident self-expression through drama. Now she feels she can accomplish that in an even more direct way, by focusing on curriculum development at DKI, as well as playwriting. Little known fact, Jillian writes and adapts the Spring Performance plays with fellow teacher Ellen Cribbs! Jillian is also the proud mother of Jordyn Grace. A Drama Kid since birth! Ms. Jillian's Photo GalleryFUN FACTS ABOUT MS. JILLIANShe has 3 dogs - Cody, Champ & Hamilton Her favorite Disney character is Figment If she weren't a drama teacher she'd be a wedding planner She is a complete shopaholic! Her favorite holiday is Halloween! One word - COSTUMES! Creative Director "My life changed when I started participating in my high school drama club. Even though I was a sociable and talkative young child (often acting out scenes from Disney movies to entertain my family and friends!) I became very closed off when I turned 11. I grew terribly shy, and I was riddled with social anxiety and insecurities. Heck - I couldn't even answer the telephone for fear of speaking to someone new! Luckily, somehow, I got the courage to audition for my high school's production of "Beauty and the Beast" my freshman year -and my confidence did a complete 180! My drama education broke me out of the shell I had created, and made me realize my true potential. It gave me the gift of confidence, self-respect, and lifelong friendships. It also made me the woman I am today - and I am thrilled to now be passing on that gift to the next generation!" BIOGRAPHYKristyn is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, a local professional actress, and a graduate of the University of Albany’s Theatre Department. She has been an Arts Educator for over a decade, starting out as stage manager and director of her local community theatre youth program right after high school. When Kristyn found Drama Kids ten years ago, she knew she found a perfect fit. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s confidence bloom through drama, and to watch a student shine on (and off!) the stage. After a four-year hiatus, Kristyn has finally moved back to the Capital Region and is ecstatic to get back to teaching Drama Kids! Though to be fair, "hiatus" is a stretch. Distance couldn't keep her away from helping teach online during the pandemic, keep our social media pages a-buzz, and make the three hour trek to help with "Guys & Dolls"! MISS KRISTYN'S PICTURE GALLERYFun Facts about miss KristynShe is a proud and cringey "Disney adult". Glasses and Disney socks are her trademarks. She runs a successful Etsy business, specializing in Christmas ornaments and wedding favors. She is training for her first Marathon. VIRAl TEACHER VIDEOS!
Introducing our newest batch of teen Teaching Apprentices! We now have a group of DKI veterans to assist our team of teachers and provide our younger generation of Drama Kids with DRAMATICALLY outstanding role models! They are wonderful assets to us, and a huge help in our mission to build the confidence and self-esteem of the children in the Capital District! Sierra Surprenant Teaches in Guilderland, Colonie (Wed), Loudonville (Thu & Sat). "Drama Kids inspires me to be more creative. It has helped me come out of my shell, and has helped me be true to who I am. I love Drama Kids...we are like one big family!" MATHENA RUSHTeaches in Loudonville (Thu) "Drama Kids has been the part of my week that I look forward to the most. I have gained so much confidence knowing that I can be myself and be dramatic! The teachers and students are always friendly and enthusiastic. It feels like a big family!" Kiley SmithTeaches in Clifton Park (Tue), Delmar (Fri) & Loudonville (Sat). "For 12 years, Drama Kids was the one place where I could destress and only think about how much fun I was having! Thank you, Drama Mama & Jillian, for always believing in me when I felt no one else did. You continued to have confidence in me, even when I didn’t have it in myself. You inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone, and to do great things. Drama Kids has made such a huge impact on my life, and I am excited to help other Drama Kids have a similar experience!" Emily TiceTeaches in Guilderland (Mon) "Drama kids has truly become a home away from home for me. The second you step into the class room, you become a family with some of the most amazing people. Drama kids has always been there for me during my best and worst times. Drama kids is an absolutely amazing program, I would be not be the person I am today with out it. This program has helped me grow with confidence and become the person I am today. Everyone is so amazing from the teachers to the students and to the parents. I am so happy to be working with Drama kids! Watch our Teaching aPPRENTICEs in action!
Teacher & Class Manager in Clifton Park, Guilderland & Saturday Colonie. "When I first started at Drama Kids, I had no idea where it would take me. For years I was enjoying the positive atmosphere, increased self-confidence, and the sense of community and teamwork that is unique to this program. After learning so much, I felt inspired to teach and showed interest in becoming a camp counselor. From that point on, it has been an amazing experience to continue the company's values by creating a safe, educational, and fun environment for the children. And thanks to Deanna, Kristyn, Jillian, Kathryn, Destiny, and Lita, they have fueled my interest in teaching and the education field in general." BiographyJosh is excited to be starting his 4th year as a DKI Teacher! He was a student of Drama Kids for 6 years, then joined the Student Intern program his final year and subsequently graduated into a Teaching Apprentice position. He has a great appreciation for all the Drama Kids International format offers in the development of talent and confidence in children of all ages. He is currently going for his BS in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, and a minor in Theatre at the University of Albany. He recently had an internship as a Math Educator, in which he learned about curriculum creation using online resources amongst a team of educational content creators. He also is a member of the SUNY Albany Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Josh's Photo Gallery Fun Facts
Film Academy Director & In-school Program Supervisor BIOGRAPHY Alice Grindling hails from sunny California where she worked as an actor, as well as the Coordinator and Teaching Artist for a non-profit Children's Conservatory. There she became passionate about teaching and the ways it can impact lives and help nourish amazing humans. Alice studied acting at Circle in the Square Theatre School (previous graduates include Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Lady Gaga). Her training included Chekhov, Shakespeare, mask and physical acting, and dialect work. She worked as a professional actress on both coasts on stage and screen. She is a proud member of NYC based theatre company, Animus Theatre Company, that performs at the Cherry Lane and Theatre Row. Alice is also the co-founder of Terraform Entertainment, a film production company that creates inspiring video content and wedding films from the heart. Miss Alice's photo galleryFUN FACTS!
Training & Curriculum Coordinator "As a very shy child, I quickly realized theatre gave me an opportunity to step outside of myself and build the confidence I never knew I had. I feel more alive than ever when I am on a stage. If I can share that joy and passion for theatre with like-minded students, then being a drama instructor is the most rewarding job I could ask for." BIOGRAPHYEllen is elated to be part of the Drama Kids team! She earned her BFA in Acting from Ithaca College and completed a graduate acting program at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England. After graduation, she spent a year interning within the education department at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. Ellen spent 7 years in Chicago where she instructed numerous after-school drama programs, served as Head of Education for the Shakespeare All-Stars, and brought social-issues programming to students across the Chicagoland area as an ensemble member of Imagination Theater. Ellen is currently on maternity leave, awaiting the arrival of her own little Drama Kid, making her debut in September 2019. A star is born! Ms Ellen's Photo Gallery!BIOGRAPHYTeaches in Schenectady, Colonie (Wed), Loudonville, Delmar, Bell Top, Green Meadow, DPS & Genet Elementary schools. Jake Goldsmith is very excited to be starting his 3rd year with DKI! He has been acting since he was the age of 6 and has never looked back! Jake is thrilled to be returning to the Capital Region after touring the country as a director and theatre arts educator with Missoula Children’s Theatre. He received his BA from Providence College in theatre and dance, with additional music theatre training at Carnegie Mellon. An avid performer, Jake has performed locally with Galway Players, Park Playhouse and HMT. Some of his more notable roles were Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. Jake hopes to inspire the youth of the world to value the arts as much as he does! Mr. Jake's Photo GalleryTeaches Creative Dramatics & Acting Academy classes in Clifton Park (Tue), Colonie (Wed) & Delmar. Joely is starting her 2nd year of teaching Drama Kids classes and is ready to rock and roll! She is a proud Drama Kids alumna of 11 years, and a proud product of DKI's student intern and teaching apprentice programs. Joely's love for teaching began from finding her own voice and confidence in Drama Kids. Now, branching out to children of all ages in not only theater productions but in all forms of artistic abilities. Joely is also an arts educator at The CM School of Fine Arts, teaching theater and art of all mediums to eager students, and an experienced stage manager with multiple productions throughout the Capital District. Currently, she is pursuing her degree at Hudson Valley Community College, majoring in Fine Arts. |
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