Sarah Cronkleton-Kidd is the Theatre Teacher and Director at DHS! Sarah was born and raised in Kansas City, MO and attended schools in the area including receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, KS. She just recently moved back from Boston, MA where she attended Emerson College and received her Masters in Theatre Education. While in Boston, Sarah acted and stage managed for Emerson College productions, Boston Community Collaborative, and other theatres in the Boston area. She also was in an original play performed at the Fringe Festival in Dover, NH. Sarah received her B.A.. in Theatre with an Acting Concentration from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS.  While at Saint Mary, Sarah participated in multiple theatre productions a year and was part of the Saint Mary Concert Chorale.  Sarah studied all aspects of theatre including acting, directing, playwriting, technical theatre, scene design, reader’s theatre, children’s theatre, costuming and makeup, and theatre history.  Her junior year, she was chosen by her peers to direct the student show “God of Carnage”. Along with acting and directing, Sarah has worked as a stage manager and a lights and sound operator.   Sarah had just moved back to the KC area last July to start her first year of teaching at DHS! Sarah is excited to continue her career with an amazing school.

Mindy Fry is the Director of Choral Activites at DHS and in her 11th year of teaching in USD 232.  She is an active member of the Kansas Music Educators Association, American Choral Director's Association and the National Association for Music Education.  Mrs. Fry was named Teacher of Excellence for USD 232 in the 2011 school year and her choirs have been invited to sing at various functions around the Metro area.   

In addition to choral activities, Mindy Fry is also very active with the theater productions and the band program at DHS.  She assists with the Marching Wildcats and co-directs musical and drama productions throughout the school year.  

Before coming to USD 232, Mindy Fry spent 5 years teaching in the Blue Valley School district.  She is married and has a 9 year old son.  Their family are avid Jayhawk fans, but find it in their heart to love the DHS Wildcats!

Director of Bands

Matt Bradford is the Director of bands at De Soto High School. He is the pit conductor and sound engineer for our musical productions. Mr. Bradford directs the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wildcat Marching Band, Jazz Band, Green & White Pep Bands, teaches AP Music Theory, History of Rock and Roll, Percussion Ensemble and Muti-Media Music. Mr. Bradford joined the music faculty of USD 232 in the fall of 2012.

Mr Bradford is also a leader in the use of music technology in the classroom.  Matt Bradford has presented clinics on recording engineering, sound equipment and the use of iPads in education.

Prior to coming to De Soto, Mr. Bradford taught 5-12 instrumental music in Clay Center, Kansas, and both Instrumental and Vocal Music in Holyoke, Colorado.  Mr. Bradford is a member of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, Kansas Music Education Association and Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Fraternity, Iota Chapter.  Mr. Bradford currently serves as the Executive Director of the East Central District of the Kansas Music Education Association and is on staff with the Kansas Ambasodors of Music.

Anne Cahoone has her BA in Technical Theatre from Washburn University.  She has 2.5 years experience building sets and constructing costumes as an intern at Washburn. Post graduation, Anne  worked for 5 years as costume designer and costume construction at Kansas City Costume. She has been long-time employee of USD 232 and this district is where she lives and her children attended school.  Anne has now spent 3 years as costumer for DHS theatre productions.