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!
Cheyanne
Drama & Acting Teacher
Cheyanne was born and raised in Columbus. She has been acting for more than a decade and began her acting career in high school in musicals like The Wiz and Cinderella. Also, she was cast in short plays that she helped write and improvise. She’s worked with PAST Productions of Columbus and was cast in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. She’s a Theatre grad of The Ohio State University and was in many productions at OSU like Marisol, Execution of Justice, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, InterAct, and Lab Series: She, Too, Sings America. She continues to pursue her dreams as an actress, director, playwright, and Drama Kids teacher!
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!
Scott
Drama & Acting Teacher
Scott has been teaching theater for more than 35 years at numerous schools including Green High School, University of Mount Union, Kent State Stark and Stark State College. He has directed nearly 100 plays! You might say that theater is his PASSION!
Scott says, “The unbridled energy and creative, fun-loving spirit makes teaching for Drama Kids joyful!”
Brenda
Drama & Acting Teacher
Ms. Brenda has been teaching with Drama Kids for two years. She has 11 grandchildren from ages 1-16. Along with being a busy grandma, she is a Broadway fanatic, seeing all of the “greats” on and off-Broadway! Ms. Brenda loves teaching drama. “I love how children respond to creativity. It’s so natural and free-spirited for them. It also gives me purpose and makes me happy when I see all of the smiling faces and accomplishments these kiddos make in this program.”
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!”
Mya
Drama & Acting Teacher
Mya is a dedicated theatre and communications student at The Ohio State University. Her fascination with entertainment and performing arts has flourished from a young age. This passion led her to hone her skills through acting classes, participation in short films, and engagement with various other art forms such as poetry, music, painting, and ceramics. Embracing her innate creativity, Mya also holds the role of Outreach Coordinator at Mad Royal Film Society, where she finds joy in collaborative endeavors with fellow creatives.
With unwavering commitment to the art of storytelling, Mya’s creative passion shines through in all her endeavors. Drawing inspiration from holistic approaches to life, she’s thrilled to inspire and guide the next generation of Drama Kids. Her dedication lies in helping them unearth their unique voices and emotions through the transformative power of acting!
Sophia
Drama & Acting Teacher
Sophia is a third-year student at The Ohio State University studying fashion and communications. Sophia has been involved in theater in the cast and crews of different shows since 6th grade! Sophia says, “I am excited that our Drama Kids get the opportunity to start learning about theater even sooner than I did!” Outside of theater, Sophia loves traveling, staying active, and her pet cat, Dobby.
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!
Emily
Drama & Acting Teacher
Emily is super excited to start her journey with Drama Kids this school year! Emily just graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in theatre performance and minoring in psychology, as well as graduating from Columbus State with an associates in hospitality management. She has been involved in theatre since the eighth grade! She loves kids and wanted to take a whirl on teaching kids about her passion. She wants whoever she teaches to know that they have a voice and should be proud of who they are. After all, “all the world’s a stage,” so be a star!
Jane
Drama & Acting Teacher
Since third grade, Jane has loved performing in plays and choir. She enjoyed the thrill of being part of theater casts that practiced and brought scripts to life in front of an audience. She is excited to put her OSU linguistics degree to good use and work with students to share the exercises and experience of being part of a theater group. She is passionate about early literacy and believes acting out a story is a great way for students to learn and express themselves. Jane especially loves musicals and dreams of a world where we all break out into song!
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!
Payton
Drama & Acting Teacher
Payton is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with a dual degree in music performance and biological sciences. He has an extensive history of theatrical involvement since his own career began in 4th grade. Payton’s most recent theater credit is Sonny Malone in ‘Xanadu’ the musical! Outside of theater, he plays the saxophone and guitar. Payton is passionate about interdisciplinary studies and creating a well-rounded, inclusive learning experience. Payton is excited to be a part of Drama Kids!
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.
Sam
Drama & Acting Teacher
Sam is so excited to join Drama Kids’ amazing teaching staff this year! Originally from Akron, Ohio, they graduated from The College of Wooster in December with a B.A. in Theatre & Dance and Communication Studies. Sam has participated in various academic and community theater productions since elementary school, and has most recently worked with Ohio Shakespeare Festival in Akron and Dobama Theatre in Cleveland. When not teaching theater, Sam works as a bookseller at The Book Loft of German Village! They can’t wait to share their theater experience and knowledge with the next generation of performers.
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!
Evan
Drama & Acting Teacher
Evan is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, but he graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Theater and Spanish. For his senior thesis, he was given the opportunity to write, direct, and act in his own show! He’s loved performing ever since he was a kid and is so excited to now create space for other kids to explore their love of creativity. In his free time, Evan enjoys making art, playing guitar, and hanging out with his cat and frog.
Jenna
Drama & Acting Teacher
Ever since Jenna can remember, she has always had a passion for the performing arts. From putting on performances for her friends and family as a little girl to performing in her well known high school show choir, Jenna greatly enjoys sharing her musical and theatrical talents with others and can’t wait to do just that through drama kids! When she’s not singing or playing a musical instrument you can find her snuggled up with her corgi reading a book or working on her fitness goals.