We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharyl Sutton-Troiani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharyl, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Johns Island traffic is notorious, and we sorely need youth-centric activities on our island, so we don’t have to cross a bridge. The clincher to launch a South Carolina Drama Kids came when I substituted for Mr. Taylor at Angel Oak Elementary. He used team dramatic storytelling to learn new vocabulary words. Students loved it. I used it to motivate the students to behave when he was gone. This was a fun end-of-class game. The students told me they wanted a year-round drama program, so I bought the Drama Kids Charleston South franchise focusing on Johns and Wadmalaw Island children.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My background in broadcast journalism and public relations has helped me succeed in producing children’s theater. My experience in live TV taught me to solve problems quickly and think on my feet. As a reporter and documentary producer, I learned to listen carefully and interview people thoughtfully. These skills are useful when working with shy students or giving feedback. My time as a publicist for ten startups required me to be very organized and flexible. This ability to juggle many projects at once helped me produce 22 showcases, musicals, and plays for Drama Kids Charleston South this year. In just over a year, we had over 200 students perform in 16 shows at 7 locations. At Drama Kids, everyone gets a part and we focus on teaching social skills like speaking up, being kind, and getting along with others. We want our students to become better friends, family members, and students. We hope the skills they learn will also help them in their future careers. Most importantly, we want our students to feel connected, make friends, and build confidence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I recently had the pleasure of giving my dear friend Thallise Neely, owner of Neely’s of Nassau in the Bahamas, a tour of our beloved Holy City. As a descendant of the Gullah Geechee people, I knew she would find the history woven into Charleston’s fabric deeply moving. Together, we walked the hallowed grounds of Magnolia Plantation’s slave quarters, the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, and City Market – its vibrant stalls echoing the lively markets of her Nassau home. “I feel like I’m home,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Our shared Catholic faith led us to the breathtaking Cathedral of St John the Baptist, where we found solace in the familiar rhythms of Mass. My friend Laura DiNello’s eponymous gallery on Bay Street was a must-see – its spiritual and invigorating works a testament to Laura’s powerful and captivating style. The charming Hazel Parker Playground, home to Drama Kids Charleston South, held a special place in my heart, and I delighted in sharing it with Thallise.

A stroll along The Battery, the Pineapple Fountain’s grandeur glinting in the sun, set the tone for a delicious meal at a lively downtown Mexican restaurant. With Johns Island as my home, the majestic Angel Oak and the sun-kissed shores of Kiawah Beach, where my in-laws have resided for forty years, were natural stops on our journey. Flyin’ High Froyo, my go-to haven for sweet treats, welcomed us not once, but twice!

Last but not least, I introduced Thallise to my cherished librarian friends at the Johns Island Library – my second home. Within those welcoming walls, surrounded by the written word and warm companionship, our Charleston adventure came full circle.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thanks to my husband, Chuck Troiani, for giving me the confidence to start my own business. Chuck’s long career as a C-level executive in Charleston provided me valuable insight along my journey. He’s given DKCS countless hours of financial and operations leadership.

Website: https://dramakids.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramakidscharlestonsouth/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharylmueller

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DramaKidsCharleston

Other: Class and Camp Registration
https://dramakids.com/johns-island-james-island-charleston-kiawah-island/

Image Credits
Drama Kids Charleston South
Principal Judith Condon, Angel Oak Elementary School

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