Staff

Alex Kaplan
Teaching Assistant

We are excited to have Alex Kaplan on board with our team as an assistant. Alex was a student at Live Theater Workshop for 7 years. In her last performance at LTW she played Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Alex studies acting with Anna Risley who is a former Saturday Night Live actor and she is a student at Tucson High Magnet School where she passionately participates in their theater arts magnet program. She regularly appears in the school’s Blackbox Theater and this year she can also be seen in the Little Theater’s The Good Doctor. In addition to performing at THMS, Alex is a regular cast member at the Roadrunner Community Theater in their Family Series. Alex loves sharing her passion and excitement for theater with our Drama Kids students!

Shannon Sievert
Lead Teacher

Shannon has her A.A.S. in Theater & Entertainment Technology and her B.A. in Theater from Florida State University, where she was also a member of the Flying High Circus. She has been performing for more than 25 years, and has also worked as a director, choreographer, lighting tech, ground rigger, and teacher. It is very important to her to pass on the passion she has for theater and encourage children to be confident in who they are. She is very excited to be a part of the Drama Kids team and looks forward to working with your amazing kids!”

Leah Williams
Teacher

My name is Leah Williams and I am a full time mother of two. My family and I moved here from Kentucky. I am currently going to college for an associates degree in early childhood education. I absolutely love theater. I was in drama classes and drama club all 4 years of high school and it has always been my dream to work with kids. I am excited to be doing so with Drama Kids International of Tucson.

Rigel Escobar
Summer Camp Teacher

My name is Rigel Escobar, I am a mother of three. I have been a Speech Teacher at a local Elementary School since 2005 and I spend my day making kids laugh and find their voice. My children and I put on musical performances for our family and I am also a hoola hooping master. I am so excited to join the Drama Kids team!

Darian Holstad
Summer Camp Teacher

My name is Darian Holstad. I’m currently attending the UofA to obtain a Bachelors degree in child psychology and absolutely love musicals! I used to act in and direct plays throughout high school, and my passion for theater never quit. My secret obsessions are Disney movies and the Phantom of the Opera.

Melyssa Brown
Summer Camp Teacher

Hello! My name is Melyssa Brown and I am currently an elementary education mayor at the University of Arizona, hoping to one day become a middle school English teacher. During my educational career I have had the privilege of participating with troop 4478 at Desert View high school, Thespian Nationals in Nebraska, and Stories That Soar here in Tucson. Theater has brought so many opportunities to my life and has given me the confidence to pursue any and all of my dreams. It has given me the tools to stay focused and determined to reach every short and long term goal I set for myself. I am passionate about bringing all of the theater skills that encourage students to be the very best social and academic human beings they can be to your children this summer.

Jerrica Marchello
Summer Camp Teacher

Hello!

My name is Jerrica Marchello! Theatre has been my entire life; the stage is where I feel at home. I was in drama from junior high school through high school where I was the president of the Thespian Club. I continued to take as many theatre classes as I could as I worked toward my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Arizona. Since graduating, I’ve been promoted to mom. I am the proud mom of a 2 year old boy. I also coach volleyball. I have made my way back to the stage, but this time as a teacher for Drama Kids! DRAMA KIDS ROCKS!