Staff

Michelle Porraro
Owner, Director

Michelle, proud mother of two, is a member of SAG/AFTRA and has worked as a professional actress in film, television and theatre for over a decade. She completed professional acting training in New York City at The Neighborhood Playhouse, HB Studios and with professional acting coaches from the Actor’s Studio. She has also worked with children at the YMCA of Ridgewood, YMCA of Madison, and YMCA of Hoboken.

In recent years, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a regional Sales Trainer helping staff develop strong presentation skills. Michelle has a B.S. Degree from Ramapo College and pursued an M.E. at Stevens Institute of Technology on a scholarship from the Army Corps of Engineers. When she found a program that was focused on building confidence and speaking and acting skills in children, Michelle knew it was the perfect match for her talents. “I took my own acting training and experience and applied it successfully to the business world and I want to help other children do the same!”

Sara Mashayekh
Teacher

Sara is very proud to be part of Drama Kids of Greater Morristown. Theatre has been her lifelong passion and a childhood love and aspiration. She has performed in plays and films around the world and has written and performed her own one-woman show, “Off the Curtain”. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in History from UC Irvine and an MA in Advanced Theater Practice from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. She has over ten years of experience teaching both children and adults. Her love of teaching and her passion for theatre and drama has combined to make her ever more enthusiastic to bring the wonderful and magical world of theatre to everybody, particularly children and younger students.

Mary Elizabeth Gismonde
Teacher

Mary is a Theatre Arts graduate of Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts and a proud alumna of the historic Douglass Women’s College. She is thrilled to have joined the staff of Drama Kids of Greater Morristown! As a professional actress and teaching artist, she has 10+ years of experience working with children in the arts. She has also trained with Very Special Arts NJ and Theatre in Motion LLC as a creative drama therapist, helping children with intellectual and physical differences. Mary enjoys the process of helping her students discover their creativity and watching them grow into active, social, confident young people with wonderful imaginations.

Celine Dirkes
Teacher

Celine is excited to join Drama Kids of Greater Morristown. Celine graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and English. At Rutgers she also acquired certificates in Creative Writing, Drama and Performance Studies, and a certificate in Women’s Leadership from historic Douglass Residential College. As a performer, she prioritizes creative approaches to Shakespeare and new works that highlight local storytelling. Celine has experience teaching drama to students of all ages, from pre-K to 12th grade, and loves to facilitate the growth of both technical skills and creativity!