Staff

Andrew and Jessica Berent
Director & Owners

The Berent family is beyond excited to be taking over as the new directors of Drama Kids Manasota. Andrew and Jessica have a shared love of theatre arts.  They’re honored to be able to continue the amazing program Miss Tamara built in Sarasota and Manatee counties over the past 20 years.

Jessica has a B.A. in Theatre/Dance from Luther College in Decorah, IA.  After college, she worked with the Missoula Children’s Theatre as well as numerous theaters across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. Andrew is applying his love of the theatre, from middle school through college, in this new venture and utilizing his success as a local small business owner.

Together, with their daughter Abby (who has also been bitten by the drama bug and has been a part of Drama Kids of Manasota for two years), they all look forward to continuing this great program throughout the area, partnering with the teachers, parents, and community to ensure that they drive positive impact and growth for all involved.

Michelle Leon
Assistant Director & Drama Teacher

Michelle is returning as the Assistant Director of Dram Kids and Director for Take 2. Michelle has been performing her whole life and has been directing shows and films since 2003. In college, she studied vocal jazz and film. Michelle is a wife and mom to two boys ages 10 and 6, a bonus mom to a daughter age 15, and a fur mom to a dog, 2 cats, and 2 guinea pigs. Michelle’s oldest son was a Drama Kid before Michelle joined as a teacher, and she was so impressed with the program that when a teaching position became available, she jumped at the chance to be a part of it. All 3 of her children are Drama Kids! Michelle is also a certified yoga teacher, a dance fitness instructor, and the founder of Goat Yoga SRQ. When Michelle is not teaching Drama Kids, she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, roller skating, practicing yoga, reading, or baking in her kitchen.

Zack Fitzpatrick
Drama Teacher

Drama Kids is pleased to have Zack Fitzpatrick as part of our teaching staff. This is Zack’s fifth year teaching for Drama Kids! Zack started with Drama Kids in kindergarten and was a student of the program for 13 years! His favorite Drama Kids activities are teaching his students speaking skills, leadership skills, improvisation, characterization, and helping them boost their self-confidence. In addition to Drama Kids, Zack works full-time as a Construction Superintendent with Wessel Construction. Outside of work, he is a mixed Martial Artist, a foster parent, and volunteers in children’s ministry.

Joe Ayers
Drama Teacher

Joe has had the pleasure of working on and offstage at companies such as ACT, Asolo Rep, San Francisco Playhouse, Cal Shakes, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley Playhouse, 6th Street Playhouse and Center REP. He holds three BA degrees from UC Berkeley in Theatre and Performance Studies, Dance and Performance Studies, and English. He is currently an MFA Acting candidate at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training in Sarasota, Florida.

Becky Clark
Drama Teacher

Becky has always had a passion for the performing arts and has been blessed to be able to use them in various aspects throughout her career. Over the years, she has groomed her skills by action on various stages, competing in state competitions, hosting community acting clinics, teaching dramatic arts to students, and directing and producing theatre to raise money for local charities with her production company, Inner Light Productions, 5.16. Becky proudly performed for the Walt Disney World Resort in the entertainment department and on their entertainment training team for over 10 years. While working for “the mouse” she acquired many skills to help students become better auditioners, performers, and have a better understanding of what to expect should they decide to pursue performing in a larger capacity. She strongly believes it is important for everyone to have some kind of fine arts education to build confidence and self-esteem. When Becky isn’t in the classroom, you can find her hosting trivia and bingo games around the community, or on the Please add bio here pirate ship as part of the Krewe for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!

Ursula Kushner
Drama Teacher

Ursula is a 13-year alum of Drama Kids of Manasota. In May 2022, she graduated from Riverview High School, where she was the captain of two academic quiz teams. She is now pursuing an A.A. at State Collegeof Florida. Ursula has performed with the Sarasota Opera as a soloist in youth operas, as well as a member of the children’s chorus in professional productions of Carmen, Turandot, La Boheme, and Tosca. While enrolled, Ursula served as a Drama Kids teaching assistant, camp counselor, and volunteered at the end of year productions. Drama Kids helped Ursula build her speaking skills, confidence, and creativity – she can’t wait to share those lessons.

Zoya Martin
Drama Teacher

Zoya grew up in Southern California and has been acting her entire life. She started out her performance career in fourth grade in the musical Suessical, and has never looked back. Zoya graduated from Azusa Pacific University with her Bachelor in Fine Arts in Acting for the Stage and Screen, and immediately moved to Sarasota to start grad school in FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s graduate program. She is passionate about drama, theatre, and performance – and loves shaping young performers as they start their journey with drama.

Maggie VanAken
Drama Teacher

Maggie received her B.A. in Drama from the University of Georgia, and went on to earn an M. Ed. in middle grades English education and an M.L.S. in school librarianship. She is an experienced teacher and school librarian who has worked with students of all ages. Maggie loves theatre because it helps children find confidence and express themselves. She created drama clubs and developed readers’ theatre skills in her classrooms for years before finding Drama Kids. She has four children of her own, from a kindergartener to a senior in high school! She is excited to share the joy of the stage with your students!

Audrey Bachman
Drama Teaching Assistant

Audrey has been involved in musical theatre for 7 years at Ovation School of Musical Theatre. She was a Drama Kid for a year when she was in elementary school and absolutely loved it! Audrey trains in musical theatre, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet. As well as being an assistant for Drama Kids, she teaches a combo class for 4-6 year olds at Ovation. Audrey is in a theatre troupe at her musical theatre school and has most recently been in “Descendants” (Fairy Godmother), “The Amazing Christmas Race” (Penelope) and “Beauty and the Beast” (Silly Girl and Napkin). Audrey loves to be on stage and is thrilled to be working with Drama Kids!

Alivia DeLoach
Drama Teaching Assistant

Alivia is an 18 year old student at SCF. She is going to school for education, and will be attending USF in the spring of 2023. Alivia has been doing theatre since early elementary school all the way through high school. Theatre has always held a special place in her heart, and she can’t wait to continue it in college.

Jessica Jennelle
Drama Teaching Assistant

Jessica is a Florida based actor and has worked on many productions in the Tampa Bay Area. She has recently completed an Acting and Production Apprenticeship with America Stage Theater Company. She studies at St. Petersburg College, completing her transfer program to University of South Florida for her BFA in Performance.

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.