Staff

Ms. Faith
Owner/Director

Faith is delighted to be the director and owner of this fantastic Drama Kids program. Faith is a proud mother to her son, Bradley – and “Drama Mama” to Hillsborough County students for the last 10 years. Faith holds a BA in Education from the University of North Florida where she graduated at the top of her class. She has been involved in theatre for more than 25 years as an actress, director, choreographer and musical director. A certified Florida teacher, she has fifteen 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, Faith knew it was the ideal fusion of her two passions!

Ms. Dulcie
Director of Operations & Training/Instructor

Dulcie is excited to be returning to her theatre roots after a break of 12 years to hang out with her kids. Since the theatre bug bit her in high school, she has been involved in all aspects of productions in high school, college and community theatre, and has a BA in Theatre from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. She recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing an actual Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre in London. Dulcie lives in Brandon with her husband, Dave, their kids Eli and Madeleine, rescue mutt Roxie and cat extraordinaire Miranda, and possibly any number of foster kittens. She is looking forward to working with kids and bringing out their confidence and skills the Drama Kids way!

Mr. Jake
Creative Director/Instructor

Jake is an experienced performer, director, and arts educator, and could not be happier to be part of the Drama Kids family. In addition to performing in several community and professional productions, Jake stepped into the world of theatre education as a summer camp intern at Lake Worth Playhouse, where he would take on many titles throughout the years, including costumer, lighting designer, and stage manager. He would then serve in various behind-the-scenes capacities at theatre programs throughout the area, including as a marketing associate and graphic designer, before enthusiastically accepting several directorial positions from the Palm Beaches to Tampa. Currently, Jake still appears in the occasional production, but enjoys devoting the majority of his time to Drama Kids, where he could not be more grateful to spend his days doing what he loves most: giving students the opportunity to discover the beauty of the arts, the joys of performance, and the power of expression.

Ms. Michelle
Office Manager/Instructor

Ms. Michelle’s earliest magical stage memory is being backstage with her stage tech dad and watching him create the special effects for a production of the ballet Coppélia. She has been involved in stage performances since 1994 as a playwright, actor, assistant director and stage manager. She enjoyed being a character actor and her favorite role was as Cookie in Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” Other than theatre, Michelle is passionate about creating positive change in her community, which ultimately led her to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work from Saint Leo University as well as a Master of Social Work from Florida State University. She has taught college classes, done violence prevention education with middle school students, and worked with youth who have experienced trauma. She is ecstatic to be a part of the Drama Kids Family and loves seeing the students gain confidence and skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Ms. Brittany
Performance Academy Manager/Instructor

Brittany has been involved with the theatrical arts since she was a young girl, and cannot remember a time when she wasn’t attending rehearsal for various productions her parents were involved with, or taking dance classes to further her training. Having graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education, Brittany is excited to inspire a new generation of theatre lovers. With over 20 years of dance and theatre training, Brittany continues to learn everything she can about her craft, and perform at any available opportunity. Some of her favorite roles onstage have been Cassie in “A Chorus Line”, Gangster #1 in “The Drowsy Chaperone”, The Ugly Duckling in “Shrek the Musical”, and Murphy in “Suite Surrender”. Brittany looks forward to growing as a theatre teacher with Drama Kids!

Ms. Amanda
Instructor

Amanda Zappia is so excited to be apart of the Drama Kids family. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Performance and was so lucky to study in London, England receiving her Master’s Degree in Acting! She is the artistic director of a theatre company called Twin Spirits Collective that is based out of London but will also be producing out of Florida. She loves to devise new work, sing, and play the ukulele. She believes in cultivating a safe space for children to blossom and thrive as their true selves without fear of shame or judgement and cannot wait to teach and learn from the students of Drama Kids!

Ms. Christine
Instructor

Christine is very excited to be working (and playing) with Drama Kids International! She has just graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with a BFA in Theatre Performance and minors in Communication and English. Her theatrical interests range from Shakespeare to the latest musical to hit the Broadway scene. Christine has acted in a wide variety of productions but her favorite so far was Vivienne in Legally Blonde: The Musical! Christine is very excited to share the wealth of knowledge she has gained about the world of theatre as well as inspire children and build their confidence through acting.

Mr. Cranstan
Instructor

Cranstan is an Award Winning singer, actor, writer, director, producer, and US Talent Olympic Medalist. In 2006, He had the honor of being a part of the US Olympic team for Performing Arts and competed in 8 categories against 52 countries in world competition at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, CA. He came home with 7 Medals (1 gold, 4 silver, & 2 bronze) in the categories of singing, acting, and modeling. In 2010, he won a Michael and LARY Award for best actor in a musical for his role in (Smokey Joe’s Cafe) and was nominated for a STAR and Jeff Norton Award for his roles as the run away slave (Jim) in Big River and for his role as (Benny) in the Johnathan Larson Pulitzer Prize Winning Broadway hit play (RENT). In 2014, He played the role of Wolf in the highly acclaimed August Wilson stage play, “Two Trains Running” with American Stage, (Bobo) in A Raisin in the Sun, Dominique Morriseau’s Pipeline as (Dun) also at American Stage. He’s also starred in a number of motion pictures that’s he’s written, directed, co- directed, starred and acted in that have all made it to the big screen; “If You Only Knew, “Loaded Love”, “Loved”, “King Charles”, No Harm Done, “The Serious Student”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Love in Context”, “Art in the City”and current film the secret agent psychological thriller Agent X.

Cranstan comes to Drama Kids with a wealth of education, experience, and knowledge of the arts and is excited to have the opportunity to share his gifts with the Drama Kids program.

Ms. Danielle
Instructor

Danielle is elated to share her love of theatre with the students of Drama Kids International. Currently attending Valencia College, Danielle is pursuing a Theatre Arts Degree with Minor in Marine Biology. She has been in the theatrical world for over a decade, but her true passion lies within the realm of costume design and construction. Danielle has created wardrobes for productions like “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “The Jungle Book JR.”, “Parade” and many others, as well as for her own collection. Danielle hopes to inspire children to go after their dreams, and that it’s never too late to start chasing them.

Ms. Staci
Insttructor

Staci earned her degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her love of performance began at Dunedin High School and has continued for over 30 years. She is a professional actress, director, vocalist and private coach. In the past year, she founded Innovocative Theatre and produces two shows per year in the Tampa Bay area. She was nominated for Best Director in Tampa Bay by Creative Loafing for BLITHE SPIRIT at Stageworks Theatre.
Staci taught Performing Arts at Duke School to over 200 eager middle school students, prior to moving back to Florida. She was also on the faculty of Raleigh Little Theater’s award winning Education Program for eight years where she has taught ages 5-85!

Staci believes that the skills learned through studying theatre and becoming part of an ensemble teach children to become better people: ones who can communicate confidently, collaborate well with others, and be spontaneous and creative in all aspects of their lives.

Mr. Stephen
Instructor

Stephen Ray has been a professional performer in the Tampa Bay area for almost 20 years. A graduate from Florida School of the Arts, he has been involved in every facet of theater from performing to directing, as well as stage managing, tour managing, sound design, production management, and more! Currently, he serves as the production manager for St. Petersburg Shakespeare Festival and narrates audiobooks on the side. He believes that the arts are extremely important for developing minds as it builds creativity, confidence, teamwork, and character (as well as just being plain fun). Stephen is married to his wonderful wife, Brandy, and has 4 fantastic kids. Let’s go, Drama Kids!

Ms. Wendy
Instructor

Theatre and entertainment have been an integral part of Wendy’s life from the age of 4, where she started out in her local theatre group, then moved on to performing throughout school and achieving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Performance Studies from the University of Northampton in England. Wendy grew up in Manchester, UK, moving to Seattle in 2014 and calling Tampa home since 2016.

Wendy has taught drama, set design, lighting and sound. One of Wendys’ greatest accomplishments was being able to appear in various long-running British Television series.

Wendy worked for Royal Caribbean Cruises for 5 years where she enjoyed leading guests though activities and entertaining during variety of theme nights. She brings life to the party!

Wendy is married to her wonderful Cruise Director husband Dan, and they have a beautiful five year old daughter who is their pride and joy.
Wendy is very excited to be a part of Drama Kids for Hillsborough County. Let’s go! Woo!

Join our team! Drama Kids is seeking dynamic and fun part time teachers to meet our growing class schedule.  Please visit our Contact Us Page and submit your interest.