The Drama Club
team is a family.
We’re a mix of former theater kids, formerly incarcerated kids, activists, teachers, and artists.
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Founder, Executive Director
Josie is the founder and Executive Director of Drama Club. Previous work includes teaching for Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing and Woodbourne Correctional Facilities, where she taught courses on acting, public speaking and comedy.
Before founding Drama Club, Josie developed a drop-in acting class for GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services), serving girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.
Over the last ten years she has taught Acting, Improvisation and Text Analysis at Fordham University, New York University, Montclair State University, and Larry Singer Studios. She holds an MFA from NYU’s Graduate Acting program.
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Director of Programs, Confinement Arts
Originally from South Carolina, Ashley is a self-identified G.R.I.T.S. — Girl Raised In The South! Prior to moving to New York City, she received her MFA from Louisiana State University. Ashley's work motto is "Advocacy Is Access." She brings her empathy, compassion, and love of the arts to her work as an educator and administrator. Her mission is to provide underserved and underrepresented demographics access to the power of theater arts.
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Director of Operations
Bryn Magnus is a writer and arts administrator. He is an ensemble member emeritus of Curious Theater Branch in Chicago and his plays have been produced by Curious Theater Branch, Steppenwolf Theater (Chicago), Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), Unanimous Cohort Theater (London), Performers Under Stress (San Francisco), the Washington Ensemble Theater (Seattle) and Virus Fest (Berlin, Dessau, Halle, Leipzig).
Bryn was the Managing Director and main writing instructor at Free Street Theater in Chicago where he helped develop plays with ensembles of teen writers, performers and producers. Those plays toured multiple times to Germany, Norway and Thailand. He has also emulated the career path of many writers by stumbling around the country working as a tree planter, apple picker, ice hauler and private eye.
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Programs Coordinator
Tony M. Williams II is a Southerner turned New Yorker. Along with being the Artistic Director for APAC he works throughout NYC as a director and choreographer. He holds a BFA from Jacksonville University with minors in Dance and Music.
Since graduating, he has worked for companies and universities in both Florida, Georgia and New York. Notable companies include Bronx Arts Ensemble, New York City Center, CAP21/Molloy College and Clayton State University.
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Social Works
Sophie is a registered Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) originally from Wilmington, Delaware. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Cornell University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Columbia University.
Sophie is a strong supporter of the use of theater as a therapy modality. Growing up, theater gave her a place to express herself and build community. She believes everyone deserves that same opportunity. In her free time, Sophie is a competitive adult figure skater and lover of all things artsy-and-crafty.
Teaching Artists
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Tiffany was born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens. Her journey with Drama Club started as a student and she is proud to now call herself a Teaching Artist. She is led by her passion to support, mentor and relate with all youth she comes in contact with. She loves music and theater. Tiffany is a determined and outspoken advocate for youth who have been caught in the criminal legal system. She believes every person deserves to be heard, no matter their circumstances.
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Abby Pierce has been a teaching artist for 13 years and helped begin the EPIC program in Chicago which brings theater to women who are incarcerated in Cook County Jail. She is also a writer, actor, and director for film, TV, and theater. The Jeff-nominated theater production she directed of “Hopelessly Devoted” had a workshop series and special performance in Cook County Jail.
Abby was a part of devising and publishing “Drawing Our Sky”, a children’s book created by incarcerated mothers, which is provided as a free resource for parents to use with their children during visitation hours.
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Cesar was born in the Bronx, NYC. Cesar is a founding member and Co- Artistic director of the Middle Voice Theater Company, the apprentice company to Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Cesar is an alumnus of the Atlantic Theater Company Conservatory and received his BFA at The Mason Gross School of the Arts, at Rutgers University. He is in the Broadway company of the upcoming play, Plaza Suite, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.
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Terralon was born and raised in Houston, TX. After studying at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, she continued her training at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts graduating with a BFA in Acting.
She continues her work in New York City, where she has worked on an Emmy Nominated web series and been featured in a major brand commercial.
Apprentices
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Gloria is a talented Drama Club veteran who brings her best to our classes and performances!
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Drama Club is something that came to me from an old friend and it has inspired me to be myself and to never let anything or anyone get the negative sides of me. I’m always positive because the space in Drama Club only contains positivity and love.
Drama Club has made me believe in the goals I am going to reach and for that it holds big place in my heart. Not only am I stronger, but I am more confident in the world ❤️✊ Drama Club all day everyday!
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Ismeal “ Mel “ Diaby is originally from Jamaica, Queens but I grew up in Brownsville (Brooklyn). I'm 15 going to the tenth grade this school year. Growing up in Brooklyn I never played sports or anything. I diverted my mindset on things that were not good for me, but my goal is to finish school, go to college and pursue a career of engineering. This school year I am working on getting all my school stuff in order and maintaining a set stable lifestyle. Drama club helps me do just that, it keeps me busy and it has the right influence on me.
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My name is Zunnon aka Trap. I was born in Bangladesh and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY. Growing up I had been a troubled kid but Drama Club helped change my life around.
I was introduced to Drama Club through probation at first. I was very skeptical about it, then after few times coming I absolutely fell in love with it. Drama Club helps me stay busy so I stay out of trouble and it also provides me opportunities to learn a new skill. With this skill, I hope to inspire other people like me, guide them and show that we can overcome the past and become someone better, someone new for tomorrow.
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Roshay sees himself as “the prettiest and realest.” He’s very quirky but down to earth, he enjoys dressing up animals in clothes and taking pictures.
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Kaysha is one of our newest phenomenal members of the apprenticeship team.
The world may know her as Kayy Bankss, modeling , dancing, hosting and promoting parties . Drama Club has a special place in her heart as this is where she is able to express the feelings she has to hide in the field of work she is in. One word that would perfectly describe Kayy is resilient. Despite all the obstacles thrown her way from the day she was born, she has always found a way to get by . Joining Drama Club is what she believes to be her biggest blessing . The endless support and opportunities is what she one day aspires to give back to her community.
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Yaneri (Yayah) Santana is a bright, bubbly soul. She enjoys fashion and arts and crafts, and she’s an Aquarius, “one of the best signs” LoL.
Board of Directors
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Director
Kate is a human resources professional with a successful career as a generalist, having recognized that all aspects of HR should be interwoven to best support businesses and its people. Her experience has been in organizations of all sizes and in a variety of industries. Most recently, Kate was the Chief Talent Officer at ConnectOne Bank, where she founded the department for the start-up organization over 11 years ago. Through organic growth and M&A activity, the Bank grew into a mid-size commercial bank. Her strategic expertise is based in a strong foundation of human resources disciplines and best practices.
Prior to graduate school at Loyola University Chicago, Kate aspired to be a working actor. Many of the skills and lessons she learned in her theater courses and experiences have been critical in her success as a human resources professional. Coaching managers and employees is about good communication, expressing feelings, collaborating with people and seeing and understanding cues presented in professional situations.
Kate lives in New Jersey with her three children and multiple pets.
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Director
Latasha is a strategic, solution oriented senior Human Resources Leader with over 20 years of corporate and operational experience in diverse industries ranging from publicly traded to private equity start up, globally and domestically headquartered as well as B2C and B2B business models. She has consistently delivered exceptional results focused on driving business results, cultural support and evolution as well as process optimization. Latasha is able to engage with talent at all levels of an organization demonstrating empathy and genuine desire to achieve supportive outcomes.
In addition to her professional experience, Latasha has over 10 years of experience with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. whose mission is to nurture future leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Latasha held the position of Regional Protocol Chair for the organization’s largest region. While in this role, she dedicated countless community service hours across the country while still dedicating herself to the local chapter as Nomination Committee Chair, Local Protocol Chair, Mediation Liaison, Grievance Committee Chair and Special Events Committee Member.
Latasha is able to leverage her Human Resources experience and community service dedication to impart leadership, empathy, and strategic direction for companies as well as various non-profit organizations.
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Laron Thompson brings a unique and powerful perspective to our non-profit organization. He serves as a dedicated board member committed to positively impacting the community. Born and raised in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, Laron has traversed a remarkable journey, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and change.
Laron's remarkable story is one of resilience and redemption. Having spent time incarcerated, he emerged from that experience with a renewed sense of purpose. For the past 19 months, he has been the Supervisor of the Release Program at The Fortune Society, overseeing programs to support individuals transitioning back into society.
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Treasurer
Destiny is currently an Internal Audit professional at dentsu International, a multinational media and digital marketing communications company, where she aids departments in improving operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial Market Regulation from the University at Albany, SUNY, and a master’s degree in Accounting from The George Washington University. Destiny’s past experience includes External Audit for Financial Services clients and Financial Planning and Analysis for a Retail organization.
Outside of work, Destiny enjoys mentoring, traveling, and experiencing the arts. As a child, Destiny took acting classes through Ifetayo cultural arts program and continued training at the Brooklyn School for Music and Theatre in the Prospect Heights Campus where she learned acting, audio production, stage combat, and set design. She performed in various productions with the Black Theatre Productions at the University at Albany. Destiny joined Drama Club’s Finance Committee in 2018, as the mission aligned with her appreciation for theater and commitment to service.
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Ali's unique approach to storytelling reflects a deep appreciation for the diverse narratives of different individuals. They have a remarkable ability to weave together the threads of various people's stories to create a rich and compelling narrative, fostering empathy and understanding.
Ali's collaborative spirit is evident in their longstanding partnership with Josie on Drama Club initiatives over the years. This collaboration has not only enriched the lives of those involved but has also contributed to the organization's mission of using the arts as a tool for positive change.