Staff
Mrs. Valeria Marto
The Drama Queen (AKA Director)
Valeria founded Drama Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley in 2007. Over the past 18 years, she and her team of passionate artists and teachers have grown the program to impact thousands of children across the community. In addition to directing dozens of productions, Valeria has taught countless classes, inspiring students to discover their voices and build lifelong confidence. With a professional background in the corporate world, Valeria understands the importance of strong communication and presentation skills. She believes these abilities are essential for success—whether on stage, in the classroom, or in the boardroom—and is dedicated to helping children develop them early, knowing that childhood is the perfect time to grow in creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Beyond Drama Kids, Valeria loves dancing, working out, and traveling. She and her husband, Gus, have been married for almost 29 years and are proud parents of Jonathan (21) and Tori (18), who were Drama Kids themselves for 14 years.
Mrs. Leslie Cardwell
Program Manager
Leslie has been with Drama Kids since 2012 and brings over 15 years of drama teaching experience and more than 25 years of working with children. A published playwright, she has written over 30 plays and coaches our summer campers on writing their own productions each year. Leslie is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing (Playwriting) from Mississippi University for Women. Leslie loves and shares the vision of Drama Kids: building confidence, communication skills, and acting abilities through drama. In her words, she enjoys “seeing kids blossom and gain confidence through the skills they learn on stage.” She trains and coaches our team of teachers, oversees curriculum selection, manages summer camp operations, and writes various scenes and performances for students throughout the year. Leslie also plays a key role in Take 2 Productions and will be directing music for both the fall and spring shows this year.
Ms. Khaliah Wiggins
Teacher
Khaliah started with Drama Kids in the spring of 2022, helping direct our spring shows, and has been an integral part of the team ever since. She has been involved in theatre since middle school, gaining experience in a wide range of roles—from backstage support and stage managing to starring in lead performances. Khaliah was part of the first graduating class of the prestigious Rainey McCullers School of Performing Arts in Columbus, GA, and served as Thespian President for Troupe 8787 in high school. This school year, Khaliah will be teaching five Drama Kids classes, two Acting Academy classes, and choreographing for Take 2 productions. In addition, she manages Drama Kids’ social media presence, helping families and the community stay connected and inspired. Khaliah’s dream is to continue working in arts education. She loves helping young performers navigate their own drama journey and is excited to share her knowledge, skills, and passion with her very own Drama Kids.
Mr. Kevin Johnston
Teacher
Kevin has been with Drama Kids since the fall of 2022. His passion for acting began at age five after watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey, and he has been fascinated ever since by both vocal expression and physical performance. Kevin has performed in a variety of productions across Columbus theater venues, including the Springer Opera House, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, and Columbus State University. He has served as a summer intern at the Springer Theater Academy and helped establish a Drama Club at Eddy Middle School. This school year, Kevin will be teaching six Drama Kids classes and one Acting Academy class, inspiring children to discover their voices and build confidence. Kevin believes strongly in the importance of giving children access to the arts. Whether or not they pursue a career in theater, drama teaches kids to express themselves and connect with their emotions. He is proud to be part of Drama Kids, helping inspire future generations to be creative, confident, and caring.
Jadrien Ellison (Mr. J)
Teacher
Mr. J has always believed in the transformative power of the arts. His love for theatre began when he majored in Drama at the Rosa L. Parks School of Fine & Performing Arts in Paterson, NJ, where he discovered how creativity and performance could inspire growth both on and off the stage. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s in Africana Studies from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and later his Master’s in Contemporary Performance Making from Brunel University in London, where he trained extensively in writing, directing, and digital performance. His original piece I Am that I Am, exploring culture and identity, was performed at the Battersea Arts Centre and Camden People’s Theatre in London to rave reviews. Alongside his work on stage, Mr. J has served in a variety of professional roles in youth development and arts education, always focusing on using theatre as a tool for positive change. He is excited to share his passion, knowledge, and creativity with his students. This school year, Mr. J will be teaching five Drama Kids classes!
Elle Solomon (Ms. Elle)
Teacher
Elle is new to Drama Kids and is thrilled to begin teaching theatre this year! Her love for theatre began in third grade and has grown ever since, inspiring her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Columbus State University. While her experience is primarily in directing, Elle has overseen and guided many productions, helping performers of all ages bring stories to life on stage. She is passionate about helping students discover their own creativity, build confidence, and experience the magic of storytelling through theatre. Elle believes that theatre is not just about performing—it’s about learning collaboration, self-expression, and problem-solving, skills that benefit students both on and off the stage. She is excited to bring her energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to Drama Kids and guide a new generation of young performers. This school year, Elle will be teaching five Drama Kids classes!
Niles Richardson (Mr. Niles)
Teacher
Niles has a deep love for theatre and creative expression, which began during his early years at Drama Kids in 2008–2009. From that point, he discovered that the stage was a place where he thrived—and he never stopped acting. As a student, Niles performed in productions such as Peter Pan, Seussical, and Saint Joan, and was honored with selection for the Governor’s Honors Program in Theatre Performance (2015) and the Page One Award for Theatre (2016). In college, Niles served as the Fine Arts Coordinator at his church, guiding students in creativity and confidence. He later moved to Raleigh, NC, where he taught drama and performed in regional productions including Man of La Mancha and Into the Woods. Now back in Columbus, Niles is ready to share his passion and experience with Drama Kids. He will be teaching five classes this year and can’t wait to encourage the next generation of performers.
Join our team! Click below to apply!
Drama Kids is seeking dynamic and fun part-time teachers to meet our growing class schedule.
