Staff

Andrew and Jessica Berent

Director & Owners

The Berent family is thrilled to serve as the directors of Drama Kids of Manasota (Sarasota & Manatee Counties in Florida). Andrew and Jessica have a shared love of the theatre arts and understand just how critical the skills taught through the Drama Kids Curriculum are for the children of Sarasota & Manatee Counties to reach their full potential in whatever path they choose in life.

Andrew applies his love of the theatre, from middle school through college, and utilizes his success as a local small business owner to drive growth and impact for Drama Kids of Manasota. Jessica’s background includes a B.A. in Theatre/ Dance from Luther College in Decorah, IA. After college, she worked with the Missoula Children’s Theatre as well as numerous theatres across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida. Along with their daughter Abby, who is also already very committed to the dramatic arts, they are committed to driving this great program forward in the area, partnering with teachers, parents, and the community to ensure they continue to provide positive impact and growth for all involved.

The Berent family strongly believes that no matter how intellectual a person is, in this day and age, strong academics just aren’t enough. An articulate and expressive person with dynamic presentation skills will heavily outweigh a soft-spoken scholar. Students who speak clearly and relate confidently with peers develop skills that make the journey through life much easier. Thus enabling them to make a dramatic impact in the world.

Along with an amazing staff of talented teachers and assistants, Drama Kids of Manasota is committed to ensuring your student receives an excellent experience in… … developing their speaking skills, presence, teamwork and acting abilities through this exciting and fast-paced program. Leaving them each with the best gift ever: the gift of CONFIDENCE!

Michelle Martin

Assistant Director & Drama Teacher

Michelle is returning as the Assistant Director of Dram Kids and Director for Take 2. Michelle has been performing her whole life and has been directing shows and films since 2003. In college, she studied vocal jazz and film. Michelle is a wife and mom to two boys ages 10 and 6, a bonus mom to a daughter age 15, and a fur mom to a dog, 2 cats, and 2 guinea pigs. Michelle’s oldest son was a Drama Kid before Michelle joined as a teacher, and she was so impressed with the program that when a teaching position became available, she jumped at the chance to be a part of it. All 3 of her children are Drama Kids! Michelle is also a certified yoga teacher, a dance fitness instructor, and the founder of Goat Yoga SRQ. When Michelle is not teaching Drama Kids, she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, roller skating, practicing yoga, reading, or baking in her kitchen.

Zack Fitzpatrick

Drama & Acting Teacher

Drama Kids is pleased to have Zack Fitzpatrick as part of our teaching staff. This is Zack’s fifth year teaching for Drama Kids! Zack started with Drama Kids in kindergarten and was a student of the program for 13 years! His favorite Drama Kids activities are teaching his students speaking skills, leadership skills, improvisation, characterization, and helping them boost their self-confidence. In addition to Drama Kids, Zack works full-time as a Construction Superintendent with Wessel Construction. Outside of work, he is a mixed Martial Artist, a foster parent, and volunteers in children’s ministry.

Ursula Kushner

Drama & Acting Teacher

Ursula is a 13-year alum of Drama Kids of Manasota. In May 2022, she graduated from Riverview High School, where she was the captain of two academic quiz teams. She is now pursuing an A.A. at State Collegeof Florida. Ursula has performed with the Sarasota Opera as a soloist in youth operas, as well as a member of the children’s chorus in professional productions of Carmen, Turandot, La Boheme, and Tosca. While enrolled, Ursula served as a Drama Kids teaching assistant, camp counselor, and volunteered at the end of year productions. Drama Kids helped Ursula build her speaking skills, confidence, and creativity – she can’t wait to share those lessons.

Alivia DeLoach

Drama & Acting Teacher

Alivia is going to school for education and will be attending USF in the spring of 2023. Alivia has been doing theatre since early elementary school all the way through high school. Theatre has always held a special place in her heart, and she can’t wait to continue it in college.

Christine Orta

Drama & Acting Teacher

Christine, a native New Yorker, raised in Queens, started dancing at the age of five. By the time she was 15 she was performing and competing with a local dance company. Her area of studies included: jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, acrobatics and theatre. . She always loved working with children and was a natural at creating and directing dance and theatre productions. Christine’s energetic nature and passion for teaching have granted her a successful track record of improving her student’s knowledge and love of dance and theatre.

Katherine Colon

Drama & Acting Teacher

Katherine has worked as a teacher for the past 10 years. She enjoys teaching her students self-confidence and believes the Drama Kids program to be an excellent opportunity for kids to form bonds with friends and teachers. And it’s a lot of fun! Katherine is also an Artist, she enjoys creating digital caricatures and Illustrations. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new recipes, travel, crafting, and sewing.

Lexi Davis

Drama & Acting Teacher

Lexi is a product of the Manatee County School District. She graduated from Braden River High School in 2017, where she was very involved with her drama and musical arts program. When she’s not jamming along to the Hamilton soundtrack, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs and two cats. She is eager to share her love of all things theater with you!

Stacy Gilson

Drama & Acting Teacher

Stacy has pursued a life on the stage ever since she volunteered to play the lead in her kindergarten graduation show of The Little Red Hen. Growing up in upstate New York, she took part in as many children’s shows and theatre camps as she could until her family moved to Venice, Florida, when she entered high school. There, she found a home base in Venice Theatre, where she has appeared in and crewed 20+ productions and counting. Her most notable credits to date are Arabian Nights, Almost, Maine, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Jungle Book, and Blackbird, which she had the honor of reprising at AACT WorldFest 2022. Stacy is thrilled to be joining Drama Kids as a teacher so she can share her passion with and inspire the next generation of young actors!

Tamara Busch

Drama & Acting Teacher

Tamara is so happy to be a part of the Drama Kids Team! Tamara is originally from the Twin Cities area, where her love for the arts began. She grew up on stage as a competitive dancer and studied all genres. During that time, she joined an acting and modeling talent agency where she learned everything from audition techniques improv skills, and so much more. In college, she was fully immersed in the theater world. She did local projects, commercials, a music video and was an extra in a movie. In 2017, her family moved to Sarasota. Her son joined Drama Kids soon after. Best decision we made! Drama Kids brought an otherwise shy kiddo and gave him the confidence and silly nature we all love today!

Catalina Grieco

Drama & Acting Teacher

Catalina is a rising senior at Cardinal Mooney High School. She has lived in Sarasota her entire life, where she has performed/volunteered for both regional and community theatre productions.

Gracie Schwarz

Drama & Acting Teacher Assistant

Gracie , 17, is a drama enthusiast with a heart for kids. She’s a devoted lover of music and the arts and has her sights set on a college education in the field of teaching. Gracie’s talent for connecting with children and her passion for drama makes her a promising future educator who aims to inspire young minds through creative expression.

Lilly Riggs

Drama & Acting Teacher Assistant

Lilly is a senior in high school at Center Academy. She plans to attend SCF after graduation. This is her third year with Drama Kids. She is in the drama club at her school and has been taking voice lessons for 8 years. She has performed in many recitals and plays. Her passion is acting and plans to pursue a career in it.

Sonja Schubring

Drama & Acting Teacher

Sonja has worked with children for over 28 years in a variety of roles. She was a teacher at Witt Elementary and Williams Elementary in Manatee County. Sonja’s students often developed their own short plays and readers theatre productions as part of their Literary studies. Sonja is excited to start her new adventure with Drama Kids of Manasota – and can’t wait to work with her students in this exciting new role!