Staff

Deanna Stickles-Bach

Owner & Director

Deanna 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 over eighteen 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, “The Benefits of Drama Education.”

Jillian Becker

Artistic Director

illian is thrilled to be celebrating her eighth year with Drama Kids as our 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.

Jillian is also the proud mother of Jordyn Grace. A Drama Kid since birth!

Kristyn Youngblood

 DKI Performance Academy Instructor & Marketing Media Specialist

Kristyn is a proud member of the 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”!