Maria Beilke (she/her), a UW-Milwaukee K-12 theatre education alumni, is excited to be working with Character Kids this school year! Whether it’d be directing, performing, or teaching Maria loves to immerse herself in any theatrical experience. Maria loves working with young actors introducing them to theatre and basic performance skills; Maria also teaches at First Stage and Milwaukee Rep. When Maria is not teaching she loves to visit local coffee shops in Milwaukee, go thrift shopping, and hang out with her 13 year old cat Buzz.

Niki (she/her) is excited for the opportunity to teach for Character kids. She retired from full-time teaching at the end of the 2022-2023 school year so she could focus on her first love, theater. She is now a Freelance Theater Teaching Artist and Director working throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Niki currently serves as treasurer for both KM Perform’s Governance Council and The Box Theatre Company of Oconomowoc. She loves all of the artistic opportunities available to children in Southeast Wisconsin.

Brenda (she/her) is the Founder and Director of Character Kids. She is a children’s theatre director, producer, and teaching artist. For over 20 years, she has worked with public and private schools, community centers, youth theaters, summer camp programs and park districts to create quality theatre education programs for students of all ages. Brenda is also a professional actress who has worked in theatre, commercials and television throughout the Midwest and Southern California.

Kaylene (she/her) is so excited to be teaching with Character Kids! She’s originally from California, and has received her training from the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts. In addition to performing and teaching, she loves being a barista and taking lots and lots of naps.

Jaclyn (she/her) is so happy to be working with Character Kids! She is a Milwaukee area performer and teaching artist, and holds her BFA in Musical Theatre from UW-Stevens Point. In addition to teaching with Character Kids, Jaclyn also currently works as a touring actor for Kohl's Wild Theater, a conservation based children's theatre. You can also see Jaclyn in Forte Theatre Company's upcoming production of The Sound of Music!

Molly (she/her) is an actor and educator in the Milwaukee and Madison areas. An associate artist with Forte Theatre Company (FTC), she feels it is a privilege to teach and guide the next generation with Forte’s sister company, Character Kids. Some of her favorite roles include Little Red in Into the Woods (FTC), Artemis in Finder and the North Star (Children’s Theatre Madison), Amy in Little Women (FTC), Eden in Between Two Rivers (Sunstone Studios), and Imogen in Cymbeline (Whirligig Productions). Follow her on Instagram @molly_kempfer

Sandra (she/her) graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2010 with a B.A. in Music, focusing on operatic voice. Her performance career as a soloist and chorister spans a vast number of groups and program collaborations including The Florentine Opera, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee Chamber Choir, Chant Claire Chamber Choir, Shorewood Players, and many others. Recently, she has been working with Skylight in their Education Department for KidsWrites since November of 2021.

Hayden (he/him) is so grateful to be collaborating with Character Kids this school year! He is a Milwaukee area performer and teaching artist originally from Milledgeville, GA. He graduated with his BA in Musical Theater and Servant Leadership from LaGrange College. He has been able to travel the country, performing on the outer banks of North Carolina, and working with students all over the Midwest! He also works with Skylight Music Theater, working with their Enlighten Program.

Megan (she/her) is so excited to be back with Character Kids for her third year! When not teaching, Megan performers at various theaters around the Milwaukee area. A few of her favorite roles include Katherine in Newsies, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Louise in Gypsy. Megan also assistant directed at Catholic Memorial High School for seven years. She is so excited for this year!

Rebecca (she/her) is thrilled to be a teaching artist at Character Kids. She is a senior at UW-Milwaukee studying Theater Practices with a focus in education. She hopes to someday run a children’s theater program in the Midwest. Rebecca has worked with several Wisconsin theaters such as Children’s Theatre of Madison, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Sun Prairie Civic Theatre and Feast of Crispian. One of her favorite jobs has been creating theater with students with disabilities through a program called the Penguin Project. Outside of work and school Rebecca loves baking, reading, snuggling with her cat Franny and spending time with her friends.

Lydia (she/her) is happy to be back as a teaching artist for Character Kids! She is an Associate Artist with Character Kids’ sister company, Forte Theatre Company. In her spare time, she likes to cuddle her kitty, Calvin and go for long runs.

Travis (he/him) is very excited to be working with Character Kids. Graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Music Theatre, Travis is looking to provide students with the same kind skills, lessons, and morals he grew up experiencing. Travis primarily fills his time outside of Character Kids by finding theatres to work for around the country, writing original scripts and songs, and playing video games or dungeons and dragons. If he could grant one piece of advice to someone just getting started in theatre, it’s to let your freak flag fly!

Carmen (she/her) is a Midwest movement and theatre artist, specializing in choreography and children's theatre. She is originally from the Milwaukee area, and currently is studying theatre and dance at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. In the area, she recently choreographed Valley View Middle School's production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. Back home in Wisconsin, she works with Lake Country Playhouse, and will be choreographing Willy Wonka Kids and Matilda Jr this summer.

Hannah-Mae (she/her) has grown up in the theatre. She is a 2019 Graduate from Carthage College with a BA in Music Theatre Performance. After graduation she worked for the Walt Disney Disney Company in Walt Disney World before moving back to the Midwest. She is very excited to be a teaching artist with Character Kids in the Twin Cities to share her love for theatre with the next generation. When she is not in rehearsals she likes to spend time with her friends and family exploring new places to eat and to see as much theatre as possible.

Reanna (she/her) is very excited to be teaching with Character Kids! She loves acting, dancing, and directing. Reanna got her BA in Theatre and a Dance Certificate at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Outside of Character Kids you can find her making films, playing board games, and eating spaghetti.

Lauren (she/her) has been an actor and writer ever since she was young. After receiving a BA in Comprehensive Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Lauren has let that passion turn into a career, as she continues to act, write, and now direct productions throughout the Twin Cities. She looks forward to helping the students at Character Kids find their passion for performing and letting their confidence grow!

Dana (she/her) is the Education Coordinator and manages the Twin Cities branch of classes for Character Kids. She is a director, actor, and theatre teaching artist. She has also worked in artistic administration at the Glimmerglass Festival, an opera festival in upstate New York, as well as at Sunset Playhouse, a community theatre in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she’s not teaching you can find her snuggling her cat, Gizmo.

Belle (she/her) has a passion for storytelling through theatre and film, and she loves helping the youngest actors and actresses discover the love for the performing arts! She is the Marketing Assistant for SOAR Regional Arts and runs her own business through Arbonne International. She is currently pursuing a BA in Theatre and Media Production at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. After graduation, she hopes to do the Disney College Program to continue pursuing her love of stories. When not working or rehearsing, Belle loves watching movies, being with family, and spending time with her roommates and friends.

Abi (she/her) is the Education Coordinator for the San Diego branch of Character Kids. She is a Theatre Artist and Director originally from LA and she is passionate about making space for children (and adults alike!) to explore and play. Most recently, Abi graduated with her B.A. in Theatre from U.C. San Diego and was also awarded the Theatre & Dance Scholarship for her work within the T&D Department. When she is not directing, devising, or teaching, she enjoys watching all the amazing theatre in the SD area. Abi has worked as a nanny for the past five years and has been a teaching artist for the past three. She is a passionate member of the Character Kids team and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for the San Diego branch!

Erica (she/her) is a San Diego-based director, choreographer, and educator with a passion for musical theatre. She holds a double bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Dance from the University of California San Diego with honors in Directing and a minor in Education Studies. Erica believes strongly in advocating for the importance of the arts and hopes to increase awareness and appreciation for the arts throughout her career. She has been working with youth for over 10 years and currently directs and choreographs for various youth theatre companies and educational arts programs around San Diego. She is excited to be part of the Character Kids team.

Erin (she/her) has been working as a theatre educator for over 13 years. Over the course of her experience, she has worked as an actor, an education program manager, a teaching artist, a Kids Included Together facilitator as well as a director, choreographer and costume designer. She has contributed to leading local youth organizations as well as numerous schools within their drama department.

Juliana (she/her) is a native to San Diego and excited to be part of the Character Kids Team! She has been involved in the theatre scene for over 25 years. Juliana is also a Performing Arts teacher in Escondido Schools for the past 12 years. Juliana received her BA in Visual and Performing Arts Emphasis in Theatre and Music from California State University San Marcos. She earned her Masters in Education degree from University of Phoenix. Juliana resides in Escondido with her husband Kyle and their two children.