Staff

Nancy Johnston
Owner

Nancy Johnston is the Director of Drama Kids of Northwest Houston, Cypress and Spring, TX.   Her interest in the arts began at a young age, starting piano lessons at age 6.  As a child, her family loved to attend shows at the Mule Barn Theatre in Tarkio, Mo.  Nancy was fascinated by the actors and musicians.

Nancy went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Music at Northwest Missouri State University.  She taught elementary and junior high music as well as private piano in the St. Louis area.  After moving to Texas, Nancy entered the world of business in the computer industry.

Eventually, Nancy combined her passion for the arts and her business experience in opening Cy-Fair Music and Arts, a fine arts school in Northwest Houston, which initially offered only music and art.

In business Nancy noticed how the ability to speak and act confidently could propel a person’s career.  In music and art, she noticed how the freedom to express and create could help people unlock their feelings, and give them permission to try new ideas and solutions.

When Nancy discovered Drama Kids, she was elated!  What a perfect combination.  Students could get both the artistic and creative benefits PLUS learn the skills that would help them communicate clearly and effectively in all areas of their lives, and have FUN doing it!

Drama Kids of Northwest Houston has been making a difference in the lives of area children since 2006.  We know that drama develops kids and are committed to making sure your child receives and excellent experience.

Davila Hernandez
Director & Drama Kids Teacher

Davila received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre with an Emphasis in directing from Texas State University in 2008. She directed shows such as The Shadow Box, The Weirdest Honeymoon Ever, and Twelfth Night.   At Texas State she was trained in Improv, Fitzmaurice Voicework, Stylization, Characterization, Movement, and Stage Make-up.

Davila once worked for Extreme Home Make-over to gain knowledge of film sets. She loves to travel and went to London to gain more knowledge of her favorite writer, Shakespeare. She loves doing research on different genres and costuming.

Davila also has extensive experience as a teacher in a Montesorri school, where she teaches values such as independence, creativity, patience, and endurance.  In her free time she loves cooking, watching movies, playing and watching sports, planning parties, and spending time with family.

Davila loves being able to be part of any child’s life to help motivate, enlighten, love, and inspire their creativity!   Ms. Davila joined the Drama Kids team in January 2012, and is looking forward to another fabulous year!

Erin Johnston
Drama Kids Teacher

Erin started her journey with drama when she was about 5 years old, though she’s always been a bit on the dramatic side. She is a graduate University of Houston with a BFA in Theater and Spanish, Secondary Education, and has been teaching Theater and Spanish for 20+ years. When she is not teaching Drama, she enjoys teaching yoga, being prop mistress for the Nutcracker, and leading her  daughter’s Brownie Scout troop.

Amber Rowl
Drama Kids Teacher

Amber received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Project Management from the University of Phoenix and is currently working towards her Masters in Early Childhood Education. With 7 years of experience in the early childhood education field, Amber has a strong zeal for developing children through responsibility and motivation. Amber truly believes; A child motivated, equals a child inspired plus, an asset to their community.

Consuela Axel
Drama Kids Teacher

Ms. Consuelas’ love for the arts came at an early age. She performed in her first play in the second grade as a student of Swayze School of Dance. Her senior year of high school she wrote, directed AND performed in their senior final project as well as competed in UIL tournaments. Their organization qualified for state numerous times. Currently holding a AA in Teaching from Lone Star College, she is anticipatory to teach and learn from potential future thespians. Excitedly, Consuela will continue her journey to her BA in Creative Writing at the University of Houston Downtown.

Melissa Hymel
Drama Kids Teacher

Ms. Melissa is SO EXCITED to be back with Drama Kids this year! She has been taking care of her new baby boy, but now it’s time to get back to DRAMA! Ms. Melissa was in plays and musicals all throughout middle school and high school, including The Bard, Aladdin, Romeo and Juliet, Annie, and Little Shop of Horrors, to name a few. She loves theatre, especially musicals. Her favorite musical of all time is Singin’ in the Rain — Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds were an iconic duo! She is very happy to be back with her Drama Kids family, but she is absolutely super psyched to be teaching Take 2 this year for the first time! She can’t wait to meet everyone and have a fantastic year!

Krista Forster
Drama Kids Teacher

Krista began pursuing her love of theatre in college. After graduating from the University of Houston with her BFA in Theatre, she went on to receive her MFA from University Of Delaware. While pursuing her MFA, she had the privilege of spending three weeks in Japan working on a coproduction of Oedipus Rex at the Shizuoka Performing Arts Center with Tadashi Suzuki. Krista has appeared in theatres and on camera all over the country. Locally, at the Alley Theatre, Krista performed with the Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn in their acclaimed production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night. She is also the proud recipient of the BackStage West Garland award for her lead performance in Kindertransport at Stages Repertory Theatre. In Chicago, Krista was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award for lead performance and ensemble for her part as Ruth in Book of Days at Steep Theatre. Last year, Krista returned home to Texas from South Carolina, where she was a member of Trustus Theatre Company. It was in South Carolina, as the resident acting coach for Workshop Theatre, that she discovered her passion for teaching drama. As a Drama Kids teacher, Krista hopes to inspire, delight, and build confidence in her students.

Keyna Barahona
Drama Kids Teacher

Keyna recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a certificate in Philosophy-Pre Law. She became a performer at a young age when she started ballet at eight years old and ultimately became a thespian when she started Destination Imagination at the recommendation of her 5th-grade teacher.

She continued pursuing theatre in middle school where she was part of many plays which included a One Act Play in UIL; she even received a medal for being an “All-Star Cast” in 2015. In high school, Keyna competed in numerous speech and debate tournaments and had the opportunity to judge some theatre competitions. She continued to learn more about theatre production by taking a college course on world theatre and avidly watching multiple Broadway performances.

This year, she is thrilled to share her passion for theatre at Drama Kids by inspiring students to be confident, express themselves, and be leaders in today’s competitive world. In addition to Drama Kids, Keyna is working towards writing a biography, developing innovative apparel, and pursuing a law degree.

Marie Denny
Drama Kids Teacher

Marie has been performing on stage and on camera for the last 20 years and now channels that creativity through voice-over and long form. improv. She has a communications degree from Northwestern University, and when she wasn’t acting, she was teaching children and adults in after-school settings and classrooms. She’s delighted to be working with Drama Kids, spreading her love for creativity and performance, and teaching young people skills that help them be the best version of themselves!

Crayten Clendion
Drama Kids Teacher

Crayten Clendion, born and raised in Cypress, Texas, is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, with a BFA in Theatre performance and directing. She has been doing theatre for 10-plus years and considers herself to be a theatre artist. In her career, she has done children’s theatre shows for The St. Louis Black Repertory Company and The National Theatre for Children. Some of Crayten’s favorite acting credits are Stephen F. Austin University Workshop production of “Such a Pretty Face” and The National Theatre for Children touring production of “Land of Smiles”. When not on stage, she is in the classroom teaching theatre.