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 thrilled to be a part of the Drama Kids family. Since the theatre bug bit her in tenth grade, she has been involved in all aspects of productions in high school, college and community theatre. She has a BA in Theatre from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Dulcie lives in Brandon with her husband, Dave, their kids Eli and Madeleine, rescue mutt Roxie and three awesome cats, Miranda, Charlie, and Metro. She loves working with the fabulous kids in the Drama Kids program and seeing them unleash their creativity and confidence every week in our classes.

Mr. Jake
Creative Director/Instructor

Mr. Jake is grateful to serve as the Creative Director of our wonderful Drama Kids program. After years of performance, design, and theatre education experience, he is glad to spend his days teaching, designing, directing, and creating for Drama Kids. Jake is delighted to share his passion for the performing arts with the next generation, and hopes to help supply them with the confidence they need to achieve their goals.

Ms. Michelle
Office Manager/Instructor

Michelle has been involved in stage performances for over 20 years as a playwright, actor, assistant director and stage manager in both her high school theatre and community theatre setting. 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 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
Instructor

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!

Ms. Morgan
Instructor

Morgan Jones adores working with drama kids! She has been a dance teacher on and off for almost 2 decades. Theatre and dance is in her DNA. She grew up with a Father who has a bachelors in Theatre and a Mother who has a bachelors in Dance. Morgan was involved in dance and theatre since she was barely old enough to walk! She started assistant teaching dance classes in High School and has taught many many dance classes since then. She encouraged her daughter, Bailey to join Drama Kids after their family moved to Florida and the rest is History. Bailey fell in love with drama, Morgan became a teacher for Drama Kids and a choreographer for Drama Kids Take 2 productions and roped her husband Michael into doing professional sound for the Drama Kids Broadway shows. This family is all in! Morgan’s goal is to help every child she works with to have fun, gain confidence, and develop their creativity!

Ms. Monica
Instructor

Monica is so excited to be apart of this amazing Drama Kids family! Monica and her husband, Michael, are both native Floridians. They have two children, a sweet daughter Madison, who is eleven and an equally sweet but rambunctious son Matthew, who is three. Monica’s kids keep her busy during the day with school and activities and in the evenings she works with a special needs teenager providing personal care assistance. Monica has a background in Early Childhood Education and is thrilled to be able merge her passion for teaching with drama. Some of her fondest memories growing up were attending pop-up improv classes and performing in community productions. Monica is looking forward to helping kids build their confidence and learn important life skills while having fun with the Drama Kids program!

Ms. Morenike 
Instructor

Morenike is overjoyed to be a part of the Drama Kids family! For as long as she can remember, she has had a love for performing and working with kids. Theatre has always been a significant part of her life, having been involved in various productions from elementary school to collegiate levels. She has been in a number of plays and musicals as well as bands and choirs so she knows the importance of being part of a team to create something special. Morenike understands firsthand the wonderful impact theatre can have on a child’s life, and she is passionate about the performing arts and what it can do to raise confidence in kids. She hopes to not only inspire kids to become better people through the skills they acquire in acting, but to also be inspired by what they can teach her as well. Go Drama Kids!

Ms. Kalena
Assistant Teacher

Kal has loved theatre for as long as she can remember- from being on stage in her first show at 5, to directing her first show at 18, she is absolutely passionate about the theatre arts, and is incredibly elated to be part of the Drama Kids family! Kal expresses her enjoyment on and off stage- both participating in shows, directing, and even trying her hand at writing. She has been a Drama Kid herself, and now is proud to help kids build their confidence and find their love of theatre- just like Drama Kids did for her.

Ms. Arielle
Assistant Teacher

Arielle is excited to be apart of the Drama Kids International family. She has been involved with the theatre from a very young age, studying it in high school and continuing the craft at a local theatre company. She is a native New Yorker and has moved to Tampa, Florida to continue her education. She is a recent graduate and is delighted to bring all her strengths to the program and work with such great people and amazing kids!

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.