Play. Create. Perform. Repeat.
Meet the Playcrafter Kids Team
Leadership & Admin Team
FOUNDER, OWNER & EDUCATOR
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Deanna Mae (she/her) is the founder and heart behind Playcrafter Kids Preschool. With over 20 years of performance and teaching experience, she brings a joyful, play-based approach to early childhood education rooted in safety, creativity, and connection. Deanna holds a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education and an M.A. in Literacy (Birth–Grade 6) from Mount Saint Mary College. A lifelong learner and passionate arts advocate, she launched Playcrafter Kids in 2019 to preserve the magic of childhood and make space for creativity in early learning. Her program blends storytelling, music, and the performing arts with the rhythms of preschool life—creating an intentional community where young children thrive.
Deanna joyfully raises her beautiful teenager in Fort Collins. She loves to play, create, and perform whenever she gets the chance!
PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
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Ashley (she/her) began acting and singing in early elementary school and hasn’t stopped since. She started teaching preschool right out of high school and has incorporated her love for music and movement into her teaching style. With over 10 years of experience in childcare and 15 in the performing arts, Ashley is so excited to be a part of Playcrafter Kids. She seeks to foster a love for learning paired with an appreciation for and an understanding of healthy, joyful movement in each child she teaches. In her free time, Ashley sings, bakes, and reads. She lives in Fort Collins, spending her time with her wife and their 3 year old husky.
PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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Hannah (she/her) has been collecting experiences and piecing together the puzzle of who she is for as long as she can remember. She got her start in theater at Debut Theatre Co as a wee lass, and her passion for theater and film eventually brought her to California for a bachelor’s degree in communications media, with an emphasis in acting and production. After graduating, she found herself working as a preschool photographer, where she learned that little compared to the joy of coaxing smiles and giggles out of the tiniest humans. Hannah moved back to her hometown of Fort Collins in 2020, and soon began working as a preschool teacher for a classroom of 1 year olds. Most recently, she worked as a registered behavior technician, helping children with autism and other mental and developmental disabilities learn how to navigate and thrive in this tricky world of ours.
Through all these experiences, Hannah has developed a strong passion for fostering independence, confidence, and creativity through play and secure relationships. When she’s not working, she can usually be found enjoying time with friends, watching movies, or being outside “photosynthesizing”. She continues to enjoy theater when she can, whether by attending shows at the local community theater spots, or singing Broadway musical numbers in the safety of her own car.
CREATIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Liz (she/her) is a lifelong musician and proud "theatre kid" who is thrilled to join Playcrafter Kids as their Creative Operations Manager. Since earning her B.A. in Music & Leadership from Spring Arbor University, Liz has spent 15+ years performing in local bands and theatrical productions while building workplace experience as an administrator, operations coordinator, and general manager for local businesses, primarily in the arts. For the past 8 years, she has also served the NoCo community as a voice and piano teacher.
Liz is so glad to work behind the scenes to help support Playcrafter Kids’ mission, students, families, and staff.
Outside of work and performing, Liz enjoys hiking, kayaking, and other Colorado outdoor activities, or relaxing at home with her husband and their three fur babies.
PLAYCRAFTER KIDS MASCOT
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Frankie the dog is a 17 lb Westie/Jack Russell mix. He loves to curl up and listen to stories, enjoys going down slides, and can make any place comfy. This well-behaved, loyal pup loves to make his rounds to say hello and jump for his treats. When he needs space, he retreats to his crate and kids learn to respect his space. He is the owner of Deanna Mae :).
Preschool Program
LEAD GUIDE - Musical Meadows
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Brieanna (she/her) is passionate about infusing creativity into everyday life and believes in the power of personal expression and kindness. She is eager to help children explore their unique voices through a nurturing environment.
With a lifelong love for theater, music, and production, Brieanna is always seeking new ways to connect with the arts and share that excitement with others. She’s absolutely thrilled to be a part of shaping a joyful, supportive space for kids to grow and learn.
When she’s not creating a vibrant atmosphere at Playcrafter Kids, you can find Brieanna enjoying long walks with her dog Charlie, sewing a new felt creation, or getting lost in the pages of a great novel!
LEAD GUIDE - Musical Meadows
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Hello! I am from Osaka, Japan. I’ve been in the Early Childhood Education field more than 15 years. I attended Colorado State University in 1996 (phew~, it was a long time ago!) and studied Human Development and Family Studies. My concentration was Early Childhood Development. I graduated in 2000, but I returned to CSU right away and obtained a teaching license for children up to 8 years old. Since then, I’ve been working with children at center-based preschools.
When I moved to Loveland CO, I opened up my own licensed in-home childcare for 4 years. I very much enjoyed having my own childcare, but it was a lot of work! So, when I started looking to go back to a center-based preschool, I found myself here at Playcrafter Kids. And I LOVE it very much!
LEAD GUIDE - Storybook Forest
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Hello! My name is Megan McGivney, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Playcrafters Kids team! I hold my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from University of Northern Colorado. I am most excited about exploring different themes through play, movement, and theater with the students.
I enjoy baking, musicals, and enjoying time with friends and family, I love to bake various treats including cookies and cupcakes. My top two favorite musicals are Wicked and Six. I love to travel and see my family in New York.
ASSISTANT GUIDE - Storybook Forest
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Nix (he/they) has called Colorado home for nearly his entire life. From a young age, he has been passionate about the arts. Inspired by watching his father perform on stage, Nix fell in love with the magic of storytelling and live performance. His own theatre journey began as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School, and he continued performing throughout high school with Polaris and several local theatre companies. He is currently attending Front Range Community College, where he is exploring different fields of study while continuing to grow as an artist and educator.
Nix's journey in early childhood education began as a camp counselor at The Gardens on Spring Creek. He quickly discovered how much he loved bringing whimsy, joy, and creativity into children's lives while encouraging their imaginations to flourish through play and exploration. Since then, he has worked consistently in childcare, including serving as a nursery caregiver and now as an assistant teacher with Playcrafter Kids Preschool.
Nix loves building meaningful relationships with children and their families while creating a welcoming environment where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. He believes that creativity is a powerful tool for helping children grow in confidence, curiosity, and self-expression. Outside of the classroom, Nix enjoys performing in theatre, drawing, and creating art whenever he can. He loves finding new ways to bring creativity into everyday life.
LEAD GUIDE - Playful Ponds
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Nera (she/her) was born in Seattle, Washington, but spent much of her childhood growing up in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her own experience attending a Waldorf school sparked a deep appreciation for creativity, imagination, art, and the importance of nurturing the whole child. She carries those values with her as she continues to grow as an educator, believing that children learn best through meaningful connections, exploration, and play.
Nera has gained professional experience working with children through summer camps, after-school enrichment programs, and as an art teacher with Playcrafter Kids, where she has loved creating opportunities for children to express themselves and discover the joy of making. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at Colorado State University and hopes to continue weaving creativity, the arts, and Waldorf-inspired practices into her teaching journey. Nera feels most at home alongside little ones, sharing in their curiosity, imagination, and excitement for the world around them. She believes play is the foundation for raising kind, confident, and compassionate humans and feels honored to be part of each child’s early years. Outside of the classroom, Nera enjoys spending time with her family, creating art of her own, finding new recipes to try, and searching for inspiration outdoors- often with her feet in the river.
FLOAT TEACHER
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Abbi (she/her) has been performing for as long as she can remember, as she grew up dancing and singing. With a passion for the arts and teaching, she is excited to be a part of the team at Playcrafter Kids.
She is originally from Omaha, NE and holds degrees in music and French from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and earned her Master’s in music from Colorado State University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, and reading.
“StoryMaker Magic” TEACHER & FLOAT
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Kristy (she/her) has been performing for as long as she can remember– starting with her very first role as the Nutcracker in second grade. With a passion for both music and working with young children, she’s always searching for creative ways to blend the two, and Playcrafter Kids has given her the perfect space to do just that. Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kristy moved to Colorado in 2022 for her graduate studies. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Voice Performance from Ithaca College, and a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Colorado State University. Kristy teaches private voice and piano lessons locally, and sings professionally in the Fort Collins area whenever she can. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching her students discover the incredible range of sounds the human voice can make. She spends her free time playing tennis, navigating complex board games, listening to podcasts, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
SPECIALIST: Occupational Therapist
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Jade Studee is our new part-time occupational therapist who graduated from Colorado State University in 2018. She is passionate about supporting early childhood learning and development through play. Jade’s role at Playcrafter Kids utilizes an embedded approach instead of 1:1 sessions, which supports all children’s classroom and play participation with through collaboration with teachers and play-based, group-centered activities. She has experience supporting children and adolescents with mental health and behavioral difficulties, developmental delay, motor delays, and learning disorders to support their school readiness, executive functioning, sensory processing, self-regulation, handwriting and fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and social skills. Outside of work, Jade enjoys spending her free time getting outside with her friends and family, dabbling in painting and ceramics, and reading.
SPECIALIST: Speech Language Pathologist
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Jessica, who also goes by “Jecca,” is a passionate speech language pathologist (SLP) who received her bachelors and masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Illinois State University in 2011. She has worked as a speech language pathologist in the school system for over a decade and is the owner of Elation Speech Therapy. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders in preschool and school-aged children. With speech and language being the foundation for literacy (aka: reading, writing, speaking, and listening), Jecca’s expertise provides a service which is extremely valuable in the development and success of early learners.
Central to Jecca's approach is the belief that children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. Her playful and joyful demeanor naturally draws children in, creating a supportive and enjoyable environment where they feel valued and motivated. Jecca is elated to partner with Playcrafter Kids and join in on the learning and fun!
In addition to being a SLP, Jecca is the percussionist in Fancy Bits, an all-female based, alternative-pop band. She enjoys being outside and attending local, community events with her husband and 3-year-old daughter, Mia Jubilee.
SUBSTITUTE / SPECIALIST: Yoga Instructor
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YOGA INSTRUCTOR / SUBSTITUTE
Chantel Akers (she/her) RYT-500, RCYT is a Colorado native and received her associates degree from FRCC and bachelors degree from CSU in Fort Collins. She took her first yoga class in 2005 has been practicing asana for years. When at a Mommy & Me class with her daughter she had an “aha moment” and decided it was the time to pursue yoga teacher training! Fall of 2017 Chantel received her 200 hour certification from Om Ananda Yoga, a ShambhavAnanda Yoga affiliate. In pursuance of her new found passion to learn about the many aspects of yoga, she continued with the Upper Level Teacher Training program at OAY and received her 300 hour certification in December 2018. Chantel became a Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher in the summer of 2019 as she truly believes all ages can benefit physically, mentally and spiritually from yoga. Chantel is a lead trainer for Om Ananda Yoga’s 200 hour yoga teacher program and is co-leading their 95 hour children’s yoga teacher program this summer (2021). Chantel has taught multiple kid sessions at Om Ananda Yoga, a weekly series at Moxi Yoga Works, at a local elementary school, and is returning to Playcrafter Kids, LLC summer camps for her fourth year. In class kiddos learn yoga poses, different breathing techniques, basic anatomy, mind-body awareness, practicing mindfulness, and being present.
Learn more about our preschool program.
Theater Programs
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, INSTRUCTOR
“Cabaret Kids: Compose & Create!”, “Leap Into Theater”, & “StoryMaker Magic”
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OWNER/ EDUCATOR / PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Deanna (she/her) has been performing since the age of 10 and has spent the last two (almost three!) decades inspiring creativity in students of all ages. A performer, director, and teaching artist, she founded Playcrafter Kids in 2019 to bring more imagination and heart to youth theater programming. She has developed and led a wide range of theatrical classes, camps, and productions throughout Northern Colorado. Deanna recently published her debut children’s book, Liv Perdue, What Will You Do?, and is currently developing a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) musical based on the story. Whether she’s teaching preschoolers their first lines or directing tweens in full-length musicals, Deanna’s mission is simple: to help kids grow through story, play, and performance.
Deanna joyfully raises her beautiful teenager in Fort Collins. She loves to play, create, and perform whenever she gets the chance!
MUSIC DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR
“Cabaret Kids: Compose & Create!”
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Veronica May has been “musicing” her whole life. What makes her special in this role is the hat she wore for 11 years working with primarily children as a music therapist. She understands well the power of music and the impact it has on community. She loves providing creative music strategies within music direction. She enjoys good coffee mugs with good coffee and won’t ever pass up a good pun.
THEATER INSTRUCTOR
“Cabaret Kids: Spotlight Studio”
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Parker Cropp is currently a college student perusing her B.F.A in musical theatre at the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked at PCK for almost 4 years now and is extremely excited to teach a theatre class for the kiddos. She has taken theatre classes since she was 5 and knows the value in having a safe and exploratory environment to learn theatre. Her class will help kiddos learn stage presence, character development, and performance skills through musical theatre while making new friends and having fun!
IMPROV INSTRUCTOR
“Laugh Lab”
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Summer first discovered improv in 2001 at Loyola University Chicago, where she performed with the troupe Cornered by Squirrels. Decades later, she brings that same love of quick wit and creativity to the Fort Collins improv group, Scam Likely, which she has been a part of for the last four years. Summer loves improv for the mental gymnastics, creative freedom, and shared laughter—because laughter really is some of the best medicine and ways of connecting with others.
Offstage, she’s a community nutrition educator and the proud mom of two fun and high-energy boys, ages 5 and 7.
ART INSTRUCTOR
“Art Explorers”
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Teacher Brieanna is passionate about fostering a creative environment for children to explore and find their inner artist. She has felt the comfort and confidence art can offer from a young age, and it has always been a dream of hers to share that with others.
The goal of Art Explorers is to build a safe, encouraging, and messy environment for artists to take risks and express themselves. Using different materials and mediums, she will embolden artists to find their own creative style and show that inspiration can come from anything!
DANCE INSTRUCTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER
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Hi, I’m Kisha, a fun loving mother of 4!
I began my dance journey around 3yrs old. I studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop as well as performing in the Show Choir. I was in my twenties when I found Belly Dance and fell in love. Nowadays, you can find me leading Adult Belly Dance, Adult Hip Hop and a youth Hip Hop class weekly when I'm not leading the littles in dance. I'm also a Full Spectrum Doula.
I love life, meeting new people and spreading joy in all the spaces I grace. I like to laugh uncontrollably. I like to sing & dance. I like to cook with my daughter.
To be honest, my favorite thing about PCK is all the things. I'm honored to be a part of such a great team while being a guiding light for our littles. The time I have with the littles truly fills my cup.
I learn just as much from them as they learn from me!