Rachel Cohen
Owner, Director, Teacher

Rachel Cohen is the owner/director of Drama Kids International for Cabarrus County/North Mecklenburg. She has performed as a singer/actor in many Broadway shows for over two decades throughout 33 countries and 49 states. Some of her personal favorites include The Sound of Music starring Marie Osmond, Evita, Funny Girl, Sister Act, and 42nd Street. Additionally, Rachel performed on cruise ships including Disney Magic and she can be heard on various recordings.

She has studied at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford as well as the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

She is excited to share her singing/acting abilities with her Drama Kids students to enrich their lives with drama. Through our weekly sessions, students become more confident, and their self-esteem blooms! While your child will certainly learn acting skills, our main goal is to help children and young adults develop the skills they need to succeed in life. These skills follow them as they move through school and into the “real world.”

Through our unique copyrighted drama curriculum, Drama Kids’ students will be able to use a well-projected voice to:

• Ask questions or volunteer answers;
• Take on leadership roles without hesitation;
• Make new friends;
• Participate easily in teams or study groups;
• Discuss or share ideas fluently;

We would love to have you and your child join our Drama Kids family!

Linda Smith
Drama Teacher

Linda Smith was a music therapist for two years and a music educator for pre-K through college teaching drama and music for 30 years. She has been involved in performing since the age of 3 and cannot wait to impart the skills learned and love of these arts to students in the Drama Kids community!

Linda Griffin
Drama Teacher

Linda Griffin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama, with a minor in English. She has also earned a Masters’s degree in Counseling Studies.

Linda has taught children of all ages and is very passionate about seeing all children succeed. She has worked in Radio and is very excited about her new role in teaching Drama. She brings her knowledge of teaching and counseling to the Drama kids family.

Kayla Ernst
Drama Teacher

My name is Kayla Ernst and I am thrilled to be a part of your student’s learning and growing! As I look forward to learning more about your family and child(ren), here is a little about myself! I am from Buffalo, NY but moved to North Carolina with my family when I was three, so it feels like I am from here! We moved to Mount Pleasant where I went to school, elementary through graduation. I went to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Family Development, with a dual teaching license to teach general and special education for children from birth through kindergarten. I am going into my fourth year teaching this year and I will be starting my second year teaching first grade! I have a 2 year old German Shepherd / Belgian Malinois mix who I adore. I love to be outside, read, and shop! Now that you know more about me, I am looking forward to getting to know each and every single one of you!

Drama Teacher Cassy Lawson-RodkeyCassy Lawson-Rodkey
Drama Teacher

Cassy Lawson-Rodkey is excited to be starting her second season of working with Drama Kids International. Cassy majored in musical theater in college and spent most of her 20’s performing. After the birth of her 3 kids she began working in childcare (preschool, daycare, After-school, nannying) which continued for 22 years. She has written and directed children’s plays and skits for her church and had an after-school theater club while working at LeafSpring school. Working with DKI has allowed her to combine her love of theater with her love of working with children so it is a perfect fit! She is grateful to Rachel for this opportunity.

Drama Teacher Stephanie MStephanie Morrison
Drama Teacher

Hi there! I’m Stephanie Morrison! I was born, raised, and still live here in Cabarrus County. I earned my Bachelors’ Degree in Special Education – Adapted Curriculum from UNC Wilmington. I have worked with children of various ages for over 10 years between Babysitting, Summer Camps, as well as Substitute Teaching. When I am not working one of my multiple jobs I enjoy traveling! I also love stories in all forms: music, books, movies, and photographs. I took a Theatre Class during my Senior Year of High School and fell in love with it! I auditioned for The Spring Musical “Bye Bye Birdie” and was Penelope Ann in “Telephone Hour.” I have missed Theatre over the years and am so excited for this opportunity with Drama Kids International! I have always been passionate about supporting The Arts throughout my life and am looking forward to teaching drama!

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.