Staff

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 & Acting 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!

Kayla Ernst

Drama & Acting 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!

Paige Howard

Drama Assistant

Hi! My name is Paige Howard, and I am excited to be a member of the Drama Kids community! I earned my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During that time, I worked with children while nannying, babysitting, working at summer camps, and administering ABA therapy. I think there is nothing more rewarding than watching a child grow, develop, and achieve milestones. In my free time, I enjoy participating in artistic outlets, reading, exercising, and watching movies.

Emily Viers

Drama Assistant

Greetings! My name is Emily Viers, and I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey as a new staff member of the Drama Kids International program. I am currently a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I am pursuing my passion for education with an intended major in elementary education. I’m a dog Mom to a lovable Maltese named Remi who adds an extra layer of joy to my life. I am eager to bring my passion for the arts to this wonderful program. Thank you for the opportunity.

Megan Bowlby

Drama & Acting Teacher

Megan Bowlby graduated from Wingate University with a degree in communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. Throughout her high school and college years, she enjoyed participating in theater both as an actor and a director. After college, Megan worked as a news reporter and photojournalist for several years. Megan has worked with children for over 30 years in many different capacities including most recently teaching preschool. She is excited to help kids find their voice, be more creative, and gain confidence through drama. Megan feels passionate that effective communication skills will benefit a child for a lifetime

Abby Doyle

Drama & Acting Teacher

Hello! My name is Abby Doyle. I am very excited to be part of the Drama Kids family! I have my Bachelors in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am currently in my 4th year of teaching at a local elementary school. In my free time I like to run, bake, travel, and play with my dog. She is a 4 year old Lab mix named Stella. I am excited to be involved in drama again. Growing up, I participated in many different plays through my school and in outside programs like Drama Kids. I can not wait to meet your family and work with your kids to share a common passion.