Staff

Shannon Sievert
Director

Hello! My name is Shannon Sievert and I am THRILLED to be taking on the role of Director for Drama Kids International of Tucson. I have my A.A.S in Theater & Entertainment Technology from Okaloosa Walton College, and my B.A. in Theater from Florida State University. While attending FSU, I was honored to be a member of the prestigious Flying High Circus.

I have been performing in some capacity for 28 years and have loved every minute of it! My dance training spans across all genres including ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, hip hop, tap, and musical theater. I have 10+ years of vocal training and have sung with multiple award-winning choirs. I currently sing with the R.E.D Band, which was created to raise money to send care packages to Airman deployed from Davis-Monthan AFB. On the technical side of things, I have worked as a ground rigger, head lighting technician, lighting designer, and sound designer/engineer. I have also dabbled in costuming and scenic design. I have extensive directing and choreography experience with both children and adults. Regardless of whether I’m on stage or behind the scenes, I love seeing a show come to life!

From an early age, I knew I wanted to teach theater and instill a passion for the performing arts in others. I have been fortunate enough to teach musical theater, vocal performance, acting, improv, and circus arts to students ranging from 4-20 years old. Becoming a part of the Drama Kids family has allowed me to continue sharing my love for theater while teaching invaluable skills to today’s youth. I love spending time with my students and watching them grow! When I’m not working you can find me sewing, cooking & baking, gardening, binge-watching Harry Potter, or spending time with my husband, son, and our three dogs.

Alexandra Kaplan
Assistant Lead Teacher

We are excited to have Alex Kaplan on board with us. 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 has studied acting with Anna Risley who was a Saturday Night Live player and she is a student at Tucson High Magnet School where she passionately participates in their theater arts magnet program. In addition to performing at THMS, Alex is a regular cast member at the Roadrunner Community Theater in their Family Series. She looks forward to beginning her journey toward achieving a Bachelors of Fine Arts next year. Alex loves sharing her passion and excitement for theater with our Drama Kids students!

Nic Holt
Musical Theater Director

Hi, my name is Nic Holt. I graduated from the University of Arizona with my B.A. in Theatre Arts and have always had a passion for performing, improv, and everything fun and goofy. I grew up in Arizona and have been involved in many productions throughout high school, Pima Community College, UA’s Studio Series, and more. Theatre is so special because of the confidence and creativity it can spark in people; I’d love the  opportunity to spread that joy around. Some things I like to do in my free time are writing, rock climbing, playing with LEGO, and just being an all-around dork. I’m super excited to have some fun with Drama Kids and share the magic of creativity with as many children as possible!

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!

Samantha Cole
Drama Teacher

Hi, my name is Samantha Cole and I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. I have been in theater arts since I was 5 years old and I have done many shows. I have also participated in all aspects of theater such as a acting, stage handwork, being a stage manager, light
technician and audio technician, and a set builder. Now I have been so blessed with the opportunity of be a Drama Kids teacher to your little ones. Outside of helping your children shine, I attend Pima Community College to pursue a degree in veterinary sciences in order to further my dream of working with farm animals. Don’t fret though, I look forward to working with this company for a long time.

Lauren Tancil
Drama Teacher

Hi! I’m so excited to have the opportunity to share my passion and experience for the theater with your children this summer! I  I’m a senior studying Law and Criminology at the University of Arizona. Since I was six years old, I’ve been involved in musical theater and have appeared in numerous performances throughout the greater Phoenix area at studios such as Theater Works, Spotlight Studios, and Creative Stages Youth Theater. I have a strong dedication to music and the preforming arts, and I am thrilled to be returning to musical theater and drama. I believe my unique experience, will not only help your children grow as performers, but will also help them become more confident and engaging public speakers. When I’m not spreading my love for the theater, you can find me playing with my cat, reading a good book, or jamming out to Wicked for the 100th time in my spare time.

Justin Jones
Drama Teacher

Hi! My name is Justin Jones, and I am very excited to be given this opportunity to help mentor and teach your kids. I was born and raised in Dallas, TX but currently, I am attending Pima Community College with the goal of transferring to the University of Arizona to obtain a master’s degree in education and history. Before starting college, I was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years where I obtained valuable skills such as leadership, public speaking, communication, critical thinking,
and patience. I look forward to helping your child find their inner “theater self”, develop communication skills, and leadership traits.

Emma McIntosh
Drama Teacher

Hi there, my name is Emma McIntosh and I’m so excited to be a part of the Drama Kids team! I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where I discovered my love for all things theatre and the arts. I’ve worked with a number of youth arts organizations throughout the New York City area, and I know firsthand the positive effects theatre can have on kids and young adults. I have a BFA in Dramaturgy from Carnegie Mellon University, and, most recently, I was a cast member making magic at Walt Disney  World. I even got to be a part of the opening team for Disney’s brand-new immersive experience, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser! Now that I’m back on Earth (and in Tucson), I am eager to get back to my theatrical roots with Drama Kids.

Brianna Tapia
Drama Teacher

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!

Sam Snyder
Drama Teacher

My name is Sam, and I am very excited to be a Drama Kids teacher this school year! I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado and started performing in theatre and choir in the 8th grade. I continued with theatre and music through high school and my early years of college. I moved to Tucson a couple years ago and it turns out that I love the heat! I enjoy making music and hanging out with my friends and family. This upcoming spring, I will be attending the University of Arizona to study film and TV.

Bailey Chwalek
Drama Teacher

Hi, My name is Bailey. I was a fine arts kids 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 Chesney
Drama Teacher & Social Media Manager

Hello! My name is Abby and I am SO excited to join Drama Kids as the Social Media Manager and Drama Kids teacher! With over two decades of experience being on stage, I love spreading my joy and passion for theater to all my students. I received my BFA in Musical Theater and started performing professionally when I was just 7 years old! Not only have I been able to travel
the world performing, but I also have been able to direct, produce and choreograph many productions. I have even performed at Disney World! Working with children became my passion early on and I have been involved in numerous theater education programs and studios, teaching all aspects of theater, dance, music, and the production process.

Also, coming from a background in behavioral health, I am super passionate about everyone having their own unique voice and I am a local mental health advocate! In my spare time, I love to make memories with my son, Jude, and dog, Winston. I can’t wait to meet you and work with your child on developing not only theatrical skills but enhancing their life skills and self-confidence!

Ben Turk
Drama Teacher

Hello Drama Kids! My name is Ben Turk, and I am 26 years old. I was in the Gaslight theater as a child, and I absolutely love theater. I graduated college in 2020 and I am currently trying to become a helicopter pilot! I look forward to enjoying Drama Kids classes with your children and building some great childhood memories.

Pete Schlitz
Drama Teacher

Hello! My name is Pete Schlitz and I have been influenced by the arts my whole life. My father is a songwriter, and my mother is an actor and acting coach. I am a trained sound engineer, musician, and I have spent my early life in the music industry in Nashville. I have aspirations of becoming a voice actor and a teacher, and my primary goal in life is to help grow the imagination of all those around me. I think exposure to the arts is a necessity for everyone to be able to understand more about themselves and the world around them.