Staff
Holly and Steve Hanson
Owners and Directors
Welcome to Drama Kids of North Columbus! We are Holly and Steve Hanson, Owners and Directors of Drama Kids of North Columbus. We grew up in Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University, and have lived in the Olentangy area for almost 20 years. Our children are Olentangy lifers and we are avid supporters of our local schools.
Holly has been very active in our school district’s committees, boosters, and PTOs. She also served on the DACC school board. Steve has been in sales, marketing and training since entering the workforce. He is a skilled public speaker and has conducted countless sales training courses throughout his professional career. We both know the importance of public speaking; possessing self-confidence; and the ability to share ideas and work together in diverse groups of people.
Drama has played a large part in our family’s life as both of our children have been active in school and community theater. Our children are very confident and are able to speak up for themselves in group settings. They have gained these skills and much more through drama classes and performing in front of others. These crucial skills can be taught and fostered through classes and camps at Drama Kids.
Grant
Lead Drama & Acting Teacher
Grant is passionate about education. He’s working as a Language Arts teacher in the Olentangy Local School district. He has a Masters of Education with a license to teach English in grades 7-12. He has experience teaching in Olentangy, Dublin, Whitehall, and Southwestern City schools- all at the middle or high school level. All throughout college, Grant has been teaching with Drama Kids. Grant says, “For me, the best part of teaching for Drama Kids is watching my students become the most confident versions of themselves. Through theater, I’ve witnessed students increase their social skills tenfold, and can’t help but feel proud to be involved in that process. Teaching is more than a profession; it’s a calling to help others in a unique and meaningful way.
Chloe
Lead Drama & Acting Teacher
Chloe recently graduated from The Ohio State University, earning a BFA in Theatre. Chloe just finished up as Assistant Drama Teacher at Patternz Summer Camp at the Lincoln Theatre. In addition to her busy Drama Kids schedule, she assists with theatre and music classes at Bridgeway Academy. When she’s not teaching theatre, Chloe loves acting, reading, singing, and coffee shops. She is so excited to be a first-time Drama Kids instructor!
Maggie
Drama & Acting Teacher
After graduating from Ohio State with a minor in theatre, Maggie moved to Japan to teach English. That was where she got her first taste of teaching theatre, helping her school’s English Speaking Society rehearse for their annual drama competition. Maggie returned to the U.S. to earn her Master’s in children’s literature. Since then, she has continued to build her career in education, working as a curriculum designer and classroom teacher. Her favorite things to teach are creative writing, public speaking, and—of course—theatre. This is her first year with Drama Kids, and she couldn’t be more excited!
McKenna
Drama & Acting Teacher
McKenna is so excited to be a new part of the Drama Kids staff. She started theatre her senior year of high school and never looked back. Since graduating from Ohio State with her B.A. in theatre, she has explored every aspect of the stage from sound design to stage managing and couldn’t imagine her life without theatre in it. She has always enjoyed children and the energy they bring to a room so Drama Kids is the perfect fit. She says, “Getting to pass on all I’ve picked up over the years while also learning from a student’s own experiences is incredibly rewarding!”
Ashley
Drama & Acting Teacher, Choreographer
Ashley has been active in theatre for more than twenty years. She’s primarily a stage actor but has also appeared in a few short films, and is a regular voice actor with the scripted podcast, It’s All Been Done Radio Hour. She is also a writer and is about to graduate with her English degree. She’s worked as a former preschool teacher, and is very excited to teach the subject she’s most passionate about! When not doing theatre, or working on school assignments, Ashley enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs, Poppy and Leo.
Maddie
Drama & Acting Teacher
Maddie is an education student at Otterbein University. She has been involved in theater since she was 6 years old. She has been involved in numerous productions, including Songs For a New World, Clue (Mrs. Peacock), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), Into the Woods (Wicked Stepmother), and many more. Maddie also has been involved with the leadership team of Summer Theater Workshop and the Marysville Swingers Unlimited show choir. Maddie is so excited to be working with Drama Kids and can’t wait to share her knowledge and experiences with the kids. She says, “Acting is a brilliant way to express oneself. I would love to help these kids find their voices and become comfortable in their skin!”
Dyna
Drama & Acting Teacher
Dyna, a Columbus native, is a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University. She will be graduating with a double major in Theatre and Film Studies and with a minor in Art History. In college, Dyna has had the opportunity to participate in many productions with various roles, from Actor to Designer to Director. Her most recent work was as a Director for 365 plays/ 365 days. Dyna’s adoration for theatre can be linked all the way back to kindergarten when she participated in the musical as a scarecrow. She knows just how important it is to be creative as a child and to have a safe space to do so. She is beyond excited to work and grow with Drama Kids!
Jade
Drama & Acting Teacher
Jade is an elementary education and Spanish major at Otterbein University. She has done theater since middle school and continued into her freshman year of college as a theater minor. Jade has been apart of multiple theater productions that she has either acted in or worked as crew. She was drawn to Drama Kids because she believes that theater is an amazing way for children to hone their social and communication skills and help them grow their confidence!
Trina
Drama & Acting Teacher
Trina studied music and drama all through high school and graduated from OSU with a major in Cultural Anthropology. She’s currently studying to get her teaching license and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Drama Kids! When not working or studying, she can be found cooking desserts for her college kid or hanging out with her dog!
Emma
Drama & Acting Teacher
Emma studied theatre at Eugene Lang in New York. Her experience teaching theatre includes working as Script Editor for the Lovewell Institute where she guided students in creating full length musicals in just two weeks. She has an immense passion for all things theatre and is so excited to share just a bit of that enthusiasm with her classes! When not with Drama Kids, you can find Emma reading, writing, and working as an educator for beauty brands.
Noni
Drama & Acting Teacher
Noni is so happy to be back at Drama Kids this year! Noni is an Ohio State University graduate and active member of the local Columbus theater community. She was most recently involved in Big Fish (Contemporary Theater of Ohio) and Beauty and the Beast (Actors’ Theater of Columbus). Noni also runs a preschool program in Worthington, Ohio. Noni will be a director with our Take 2 Performance Academy. She’s so excited to get started!
Justun
Drama & Acting Teacher
Justun has been immersed in the arts, especially theatre, for as long as he can remember and is passionate about helping others develop their own skills. He recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a dual degree in Anthropology and Criminology, along with minors in English, History, and Theatre.
Beyond his work with Drama Kids, Justun serves as a Museum Educator at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, provides care for elderly individuals, and is the Executive Director and Treasurer of The Black Box Series, a theatre company dedicated to producing new works.
Above all, he is deeply committed to lifelong learning and education, always seeking opportunities to inspire and empower others.
In his free time, Justun enjoys traveling, reading, painting, and giving back to different communities through volunteering.
Jason
Drama and Acting Teacher
Jason is delighted to be a new addition to the Drama Kids team. Jason has been acting, directing, and fight directing in central Ohio for the last 30 years, lending his creativity and talent to dozens of productions. He obtained his BA in Theatre from OSU and is currently seeking his master’s in film studies from Tiffin University. In the past 30 years, Jason has worked with multiple local theatre companies and high schools. Besides working with actors in rehearsals, Jason loves teaching theatre to young people. One of Jason’s core philosophies is “That by learning theatre, we teach skills that you can take into all walks of your life.” Jason looks forward to teaching at Drama Kids, but also learning from Drama Kids.
Jessica
Drama and Acting Teacher
Jessica is a fourth-year student at the Ohio State University studying social work with a minor human development and family sciences! Jessica is originally from Chicago and takes pride in being a huge Chicago Cubs baseball fan! She gets energy from working with kids, and is especially passionate about helping kids discover and express their emotions, whether that be through therapy, drama, dance, art, or something else! As a young child, Jessica was involved in theatre, and she is excited to get back into the theatre world as a Drama Kids teacher!
Cassie
Drama and Acting Teacher
Cassie was a theater kid, taking classes and performing in plays throughout her childhood, so she knows first-hand the value of drama education. She has been a theater manager for over 20 years, and was a Drama Kids owner in Seattle for five years! Her formal degrees are a BA in International Relations from Kent State, and a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Cassie is so excited to be back in the Drama Kids family doing her favorite work ever – teaching drama to kids! Her favorite activity is improvisation, and she loves to see kids develop their natural kindness, work collaboratively, and learn to make enduring friendships.
Julia
Drama and Acting Teacher
Julia Zucker is a dedicated theatre educator and multidisciplinary artist with a passion for nurturing creativity, collaboration, and confidence in young performers. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Theatre from the City College of New York and has spent over a decade developing dynamic theatre programs for students of all ages. Julia has designed and led a wide range of courses—including Acting, Directing, Devising, and Stagecraft—always with a focus on empowering students through ensemble-based learning and hands-on experience.
Julia believes drama should be fun, expressive, and rooted in ensemble work, where students feel safe to take creative risks, support one another, and discover their voice. Her classrooms are active, playful, and empowering, with a constant goal of nurturing confidence, creativity, and community.
Outside of teaching, Julia is a proud member of InCommon A Cappella and performs as a singer and actor regularly throughout the Columbus area. Recent credits include the Young Writers Festival at MadLab and productions with OGP and Roundtown Players. When she’s not on stage or in the classroom, she’s likely working on a visual arts project, singing with friends, or chasing after her energetic two-year-old.
Abbey
Drama and Acting Teacher
Abbey is in her last semester at Otterbein University studying psychology, sociology, criminology and justice studies. Abbey is passionate about mental health awareness and plans to further her education with a masters degree in social work. In her free time, Abbey enjoys going on walks, baking, and going to the gym. Abbey is excited for her first year of teaching at Drama Kids!
LaBron
Drama and Acting Teacher
LaBron is thrilled to be teaching with Drama Kids! Originally from Georgia, LaBron is a student at Otterbein University pursuing a dual degree in Musical Theatre and Exercise Science/Public Health Promotion. He does not remember a time where he was not passionate about performing arts. LaBron has experienced all aspects of theatre from performing, to directing, to technical execution. He has done it all and strongly believes in the power theatre holds to unlock confidence and transform us as humans.
Kyra
Drama and Acting Teacher
Kyra is a student at The Ohio State University, studying film and theater. She loves all things performing and giving the gift of theater to others. She is so excited to teach Drama Kids’ students and learn alongside them! Kyra has not only been on stage performing, but has also worked on stage crews, and in directing positions. “My favorite thing is watching how much my students grow, and seeing them enjoy what they are doing!” When not working or at school, Kyra loves finding shows to go to, and bringing her friends along!
Summer
Drama and Acting Teacher
Summer has been a teacher for more than 25 years. She has taught drama, Spanish, art, speech, and many more subjects in many settings including both the homeschool community and Columbus City Schools. Summer has taught Drama Kids before and she is excited to be returning to theatre education! In her personal life, Summer is a mosaicist.
Ayoko
Drama and Acting Teacher
Ayoko is super amped to be a part of the Drama Kids team! Whether it’s behind-the-scenes writing or performing on stage, they’re always itching for an opportunity to grow and collaborate. An Olentangy grad, musician, and artist, Ayoko recognizes the power theatre has to push people out of their shells and blossom creatively. When they’re not teaching, Ayoko is either filling up a sketchbook or writing new stand-up material!
Helen
Drama and Acting Teacher
Helen has taught elementary and middle school for more than 30 years. She has also been a camp counselor and camp director for several years. Most of her life has been working with children, which she has thoroughly enjoyed! Helen was involved a program through Ohio State, Columbus City Schools, and The Royal Shakespeare Company out of England to teach Shakespeare to students so they could improve reading skills through drama. That program combined her love of drama, teaching, and working with children which is exactly what Drama Kids does! Helen is very excited to be working in this program and continuing her love of teaching!