Staff
Davila Hernandez
Owner
Davila received her Bachelor 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 Makeover 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 Montessori 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!
Krista Forster
Drama & Acting 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 & Acting 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 & Acting 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
Acting Teacher & Event Planner
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.
Elena Vondrak
Drama & Acting Teacher
Are you excited to be part of the Drama Kids family? So is Elena! A recent graduate of Lone Star College with her AA, Elena is pursuing her Bachelor of Education with a focus on fine arts at Sam Houston. She believes deeply in the power of confidence and self-expression and is dedicated to creating an environment where children can fearlessly be themselves.
Elena is committed to teaching essential developmental and social skills through the vibrant and dynamic world of drama, helping students build a strong foundation for future success in any endeavor they choose.
Kayla Williams
Drama & Acting Teacher
Justis Curry
Acting Teacher & Event Organizer
Justis is a full time ball of energy who loves fashion, video games, and meeting new people! He’s so excited to begin at Drama Kids International and return to his love of Theater. When out on the town, he enjoys visiting thrift stores for new clothes and items to decorate his room. When at home, you might find him hanging out with his younger sister and his 3 Pitbull mix’s Ella, Mac, and Stabler.
Denice Gutierrez
Drama & Acting Teacher
Ms. Dencie is a passionate educator with a diverse background in the arts and education. She discovered her love for performing early and pursued dancing from 6th to 9th grade before transitioning to acting in 10th grade. Her educational journey led her to Lone Star College and Sam Houston State University, where she studied Theatre, Dance, and Music, honing her craft and refining her skills. Since 2018, Ms. Dencie has dedicated herself to the field of education, gaining valuable experience as a camp teacher and substitute teacher across all grade levels and in special education. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to her teaching, ensuring that each student receives the support and guidance they need to thrive. Outside of her professional pursuits, Ms. Dencie enjoys indulging in her hobbies, which include karaoke, dancing, and spending quality time with her family. Her dedication to both the arts and education reflects her commitment to nurturing creativity and supporting the growth of her students.
Chelsi Johnston
Musical Director & Admin Staff
Ms. Chelsi has been involved in theatre since 2003, starting in junior high as a theatre technician. Throughout high school, she worked on all major productions with positions ranging from props manager to stage manager, and her favorite . . . director! Three years in a row, Chelsi was selected to produce and direct her own play for the Tomball High School black box theatre; it was in this role that she really found her love for being in charge.
After earning her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography, Ms. Chelsi worked in small businesses as various creative and operational leads. In 2016, she joined Drama Kids as a teacher and quickly knew education is where she was supposed to be. After completing a long-term assignment as a substitute art teacher in HISD, Chelsi was excited to join Drama Kids of NW Houston full time as Program Manager. She has loved being part of the leadership team for the last 3 years, doing things such as growing our amazing Social Media community, finding new locations, and continuing to teach classes and camps.