Staff
Alexandra Kaplan
Lead Drama & Acting Teacher
Hi, My name is Alex Kaplan, and I am very excited to bring my love of theater to Drama Kids. As a child, I was a student at Live Theater Workshop where my love for theater flourished. I have had the pleasure of studying with Anna Risley who was a Saturday Night Live player. Currently, I am a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in theater. I look forward to moving to New York to pursue my love of theater as a career after graduation. For right now, I am super excited to work with all of your Drama Kids!
Tori Garritt
Lead Teacher & Musical Theater Vocal Director
Hi, my name is Tori! I have a Bachelor’s of Music, concentration in voice, from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. Born and raised in Upstate New York, I participated in musicals and plays throughout high school, starring onstage, painting sets, choreographing dance numbers, and working backstage. Throughout college, I sang with the Ithaca College choral ensembles, premiered numerous works, and was involved in the development and recordings of new musicals. Additionally, I was a part of ICTV’s first musical theatre TV show, Subject to Change, and had the opportunity to program and perform a solo recital. In my free time, I am a figure skater, plant mom, and coffee lover. I am so excited to be a part of Drama Kids and to help kids fall in love with creativity and the arts!
Brianna Tapia
Drama Teacher & Musical Theater Director
Hey! My name is Brianna Tapia. I am 22 years old, and I have been in theater for as long as I can remember. I love all things Disney and anything involving the theater! I just finished my 58th show at Pima Community College! I have worked as a children’s theater director for years in Casa Grande. I would love to have my own theater one day! And… I’m very excited to be joining the Drama Kids team!
Bailey Chwalek
Drama & Acting Teacher
Hi, My name is Bailey. I was a fine arts kid through and through as I grew up performing and singing. Today, I’m a fan of Dungeons & Dragons. I love using silly voices around the table with my friends once a week as we play the game. I also enjoy singing Disney songs at the top of my lungs in the car, but shhh… that’s a secret. I’m super excited to bring my love for theater and performing to all of my Drama Kids students.
Abby Minter
Musical Theater Director
My name is Abby Minter, and I am so excited to be a part of Drama Kids! I have been in theater since the young age of 7 years old, which means I have been in about 51 shows! This includes musicals, plays, and even reviews. And… I have danced since the age of 2. I have also worked in several other aspects of theater, including backstage crew/manager, directing, choreographing, stage managing, light operator, sound operator, costume crew, props crew, set crew, and so much more! I love theater with a passion, and my goal is to teach others the joy and passion that theater brings me. I love seeing the happy smiles on kids’ faces when they are on stage performing after they have rehearsed so hard. I look forward to seeing your family for performances and rehearsals!
Ashley Urquijo
Acting Teacher
Hello! My name is Ashley Urquijo, and I love video games, basketball, superhero’s (specially spider man) and I am thrilled to be a part of Drama Kids! I fell in love with theater in middle school. Growing up a shy and introverted kid, participating in theatre helped my confidence. Throughout the years I came out of my shell, and, by my senior year of high school, I had worked my way up from small roles to playing lead roles and being president of our school’s thespian club. My goal is to help kids express themselves and find their confidence like I did!
Currently, I am a student at Pima Community College, completing my AFA in Theatre, and I am working towards transferring to a university next year. In my free time, I love playing video games, listening to music, and playing bass with my band, COWS. My goal is to create a safe environment where everyone feels welcome and inspired. I can’t wait to create awesome theatre magic with the kiddos!
Ashley Amezcua
Acting Teacher
Hi, my name is Ashley Amezcua! I graduated from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts with my Bachelors in Acting for Film and Theatre. As an actress, I mostly work in Los Angeles doing theatre and film and I also do commercial work here in Arizona. I also write, direct and produce my own films. In my free time, I’m a comic book nerd, animal lover, coffee/book shop enthusiast and I train in boxing! I’m excited to bring my passion for theater to Drama Kids and to watch them grow into confident individuals!
Breanna Nicol
Acting Teacher
Hi, My Name is Breanna Nicol and I can’t wait to share my love of theater with Drama Kids. I grew up in Tucson and have been doing theater since I was 10. When I got to high school, I developed a love for choir and musical theater. In high school, I was a member of the Wildcats Honor Choir at the University of Arizona which ultimately led me going to work toward a degree in music education. I look forward to being a role model and teacher to your children.
Chris Torborg
Musical Theater Director & Acting Teacher
Hello, my name is Christopher Torborg. I began acting at a young age and have been involved in all aspects of theater since. I’ve acted in, directed, stage managed, and designed shows, both in school and professionally. In my free time you can find me reading, working on model cars, or hanging out with my pet leopard gecko, Elizardbeth. My life has been immensely enriched through theater. I believe the stage offers unique opportunities to learn lifelong skills. I’m thrilled to be able to give back those experiences through education and to help children create their own lasting memories.
Ben Kaplan
Director of Operations
Ben Kaplan has recently joined Drama Kids of Tucson as the Director of Operations. A retired Navy corpsman, Ben was a vital member of a medical team that developed and trained soldiers on a curriculum designed to extend survival. He brings a wealth of experience in leadership, training, and curriculum development, making him a valuable asset to our team.