Staff

Karen Hincher
Administrative Coordinator & Substitute Drama Teaching Artist

Karen Hincher is a Triad native who is excited about her 7th year with Drama Kids! She graduated from Brevard College in 2015 with her degree in Theatre Studies and loves using her education to teach kids how to love theatre. When she’s not teaching, she’s also working as a stage manager and director with local community theatre. In her free time, she loves to play volleyball, play board games, listen to music, and hang out with her awesome partner and their toddler!

Kimberly Hume
Substitute Drama Teacher

Kimberly has been a Lead Teacher with Drama Kids since 2010. She enjoys helping students find something to love about themselves, focus on their own unique potential, and reach beyond what they imagine possible. Kimberly has recently completed a certificate course in American Literature and Culture from Harvard as well as her level 3 certification in American Sign Language. She is a Veteran 20+ year Home school Educator and began acting at age 7. Recently, she has appeared in multiple on-screen features and background roles in several major motion pictures. In her spare time, Kimberly loves to train and hike with her four dogs, read, sew (she is our resident Drama Kids Costume Designer/Seamstress), write, act, and bake.

Elyse Rodriguez
Lead Drama Teacher

Elyse has been a teacher for Drama Kids for five years. She recently graduated with a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from UNCG and works as a pediatric SLP. Elyse also holds a BFA in acting from Elon University and loves combining her passions of acting and speech in her Drama Kids classroom. She is a proud Ravenclaw who enjoys spending time with her son and two dogs.

Judy Thompson
Lead Drama Teacher\Teacher Mentor

Judy has been a Lead Teacher with Drama Kids of the Triad for over 8 years. She now supports the rest of the teaching staff by serving as our Drama Kids Teaching Mentor. She is originally from Germanton, North Carolina and has been acting since high school. Judy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Physical Education from Guilford College. She taught math in the public school system for many years and then entered the corporate world to work for CPA firms, finally retiring from PAYCHEX, Inc. In her spare time, Judy is involved in community theatre and has performed with the Carolina Skyline Players. However, her most important role to date is playing “Grandmother” to her two grandsons, ages 9 and 15. She is excited to be a part of our Drama Kids family and has a true desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of her students.

Daphney Cochran
Lead Drama Teacher

Daphney Cochran has been very blessed and honored to be Teaching her 10th year with Drama Kids!! And so thankful to be called
“Drama Mama” to such amazing and talented future actors and actresses!! She absolutely loves watching her drama students grow daily and shine in the Spotlight!! She graduated from Forsyth Tech in 1998 with a Child Development Credentials 1 and 2 degrees. She taught Pre-K for 20 yrs after this degree! She also pursued a childhood dream and completed her Degree in Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School in 2016!! She then worked weekends hosting princess parties while designing nails and hair at a local children’s salon!! In her spare time, she loves making precious moments and memories with her teenage daughter “Lilly” and  family!!

Gwen Poole
Lead Drama Teacher

Gwendolyn Poole loves many aspects of theatre from writing scripts, performing, creating costumes, set design, and teaching theatre basics. As she embarks on her third year with Drama Kids of the Triad, Gwen hopes to broaden the minds of young students to the world of theatre by building confidence, developing teamwork and camaraderie, and creating a safe space for students to express themselves creatively. Gwen also does the same with drama as the Liturgical Arts Director at her church as well as including other artistic components within the Ministry. Gwen has served as a Teaching Artist and/or Artistic Director for several Summer Camps, STEAM programs, faith-based organizations while using her degrees in sociology and drama to enhance her writing, directing, and producing short dramas. Gwen looks forward to seeing how drama will expand the minds of the students during the 2021/2022 school year.

Nicole Serrin
Lead Drama Teacher

Nicole is excited to be teaching her third year with Drama Kids! She has been passionate about theater since she was a child and feels it not only gave her a wonderful outlet to channel her creativity, it was also a fantastic way to build her confidence. Nicole is a happily
married mom of four who in her spare time likes to garden, paint, be near water, and hang out with her family, pets, and friends. She also enjoys participating in local community theater whenever she can!

Matt Adams
Lead Drama Teacher

Matt Turner Adams is a director, actor, and teacher in the Triad of North Carolina. A native of Washington DC, Matt moved to the Piedmont in the mid-nineties and has resided in Greensboro ever since. A regular in community theatre productions from a young age, Matt developed a love for directing and teaching the art of theatre upon graduating from high school. He has been on staff with the City Arts Drama Center in Greensboro since 2010 as a director and teacher, specializing in helping students see the benefits of theatre in all aspects of life. Originally joining Drama Kids in 2014, Matt is thrilled to make his return to the program after a 3-year absence. Matt married his high school sweetheart, Morgan, in 2013 and they currently live in the heart of downtown Greensboro with their son Link, and grumpy puggle, River.

Jacqueline Hester
Lead & Assistant Drama Teacher

My name is Jacqueline Hester and before the pandemic hit, I taught with Drama Kids and I’m so excited to be back after two years! This year is going to be filled with so much fun and laughter and I can hardly wait! I live with my husband, cat and newborn daughter in Lexington. I graduated from Walkertown High School in 2018 and I’m working on my degree in Theater Education with a minor in Film Making. In my free time, I like to watch scary movies and anime and cosplay characters from my favorite movies and shows ! I can’t wait to share my love and passion for the stage with your children this year in class and watch their confidence grow!

Samone Dickey
Lead Drama Teacher

Samone Dickey is a giant ray of sunshine! She is a lover of song and stage and enjoys helping children develop an appreciation of the same. Samone began cultivating a love for the arts around 10 years old as a member of the NC Creative Children’s Theater. She graduated from North Forsyth High School and holds a BA in Speech/Theater from Fayetteville State University. She lived in Baltimore and Atlanta, respectively after graduation and found many outlets to stay artistic. She also became a preschool teacher and the “resident storyteller” at her school for many years. She was a performer in several “edu- tainment” troupes throughout the
Atlanta metro area that toured elementary schools and other venues educating through stage plays on different topics and  performing well know children’s shows as well as stories written by the children themselves. The last show she was cast
in before returning home to NC in 2020 was “Little Shop of Horrors” where she got to combine her love of acting and singing. Samone is a the youngest of three sisters and a new boy mom to Xavier. She also has an awesome cat named Salem. She looks forward to working with Drama Kids and helping children find joy in the arts.

Emily Ennis
Lead & Assistant Drama Teacher

Emily Ennis is a Greensboro based singing actress, excited to join the Drama Kids family! Emily holds a Master’s Degree in Opera from the Longy School of Music and a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice from the University of Miami. She began teaching voice as a requirement for her Master’s degree, and continued to work as a substitute teacher and a preschool teacher. Since moving
to North Carolina last year, Emily has performed with Raleigh Little Theatre, Durham Savoyards, and Kernersville Little Theatre. Emily is excited to use her knowledge to educate and inspire the next generation of young thespians!

Hayley Greenstreet
Lead Drama Teacher

Hayley Greenstreet got her start in theatre at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem over 20 years ago (!) as an actor in after school classes and summer camps. Since then, she studied theatre at Wake Forest University, worked as a teaching artist in Lexington, KY and Omaha, NE and has most recently received her MFA in Theatre for Youth from UNC Greensboro. She loves teaching and directing, and is excited to be a part of the Drama Kids community! Some fun facts about Hayley are: she has a pet hedgehog, and she always has a hacky sack on her (just in case anyone wants to hack).

Amanda Locke
Lead & Assistant Drama Teacher

Amanda is currently a full-time student online with Western Carolina University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and law. She is an East Davidson High School alumni and obtained an Associate’s degree from DCCC. Amanda is an avid reader, movie buff, and Dr. Pepper aficionado. When she isn’t listening to showtunes, you can likely find her perusing the bookstore. From a young age, Amanda has had a deep love for theater arts that has only grown over the years. She is so excited to help share that passion with a new generation of little drama kings and queens.

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.