Creative Team

Please click on the name of one of our creative team members below to read his or her bio.

Monkey Tales Theatre Creative Team

Jennifer Albrecht, actress and fundraiser
Stephanie Bassman, creative team
Stacey Bohning, website editor and secretary
Tracy Bono, actress, artistic director and script writer
Melissa Boyer, actress, artistic director and script writer
Kirk Dulin, actor
Amy Edwards, costume mistress
Drew Garrett, technical advisor
Bev Hoff, music composer
Courtney Hooker, actress
Craig Jones, Costuming
David Kloeckener, dancer
Sean Merkle, Playwright
Mike Metroulas, songwriter
Zach Mielke, Creative Team
Kenneth Parker, stage manager
Joel Reinitz, actor
Jamie Roberts, actress, script writer and music composer
Rose Schaedler, choreographer
Le’Anne Schlotzhauer, Creative Team
Jodi Ward, audience engager
Aubrey Wiggs, actor
Jordyn Wofford, dance instructor

Known by friends and family all her years as a drama queen, Jennifer Albrecht is finally giving in and trying her hand in the theatrical realm. The current hats she wears include being a mother to her two beautiful children, Jacob, 10, and Claire, 7, and wife to her ever understanding husband, Doug, an ECSE teacher at United Services, and many other roles in her family’s parish and school. Jennifer’s hobbies include singing, camping, traveling, cooking, beading and reading when time permits. She is a very adventurous person and is always willing to try new things. She originally became involved with Monkey Tales Theatre because of the passion, conviction and vision of her friend, Tracy Bono. Now Jennifer shares in her vision and hopes to help in this mission by soliciting sponsors and providing fundraising opportunities, as well as fulfilling any acting roles when needed.

Stephanie Bassman started going bananas over theater when her son starting acting. Stephanie works for the Pattonville School District, is President of both her son’s high school Choir and Orchestra groups and is helping to plan her daughter’s wedding next summer. Stephanie loves to help out with just helping out…where ever needed and whatever she can do. So far that has meant stage crew, set building and painting,costumes, props and transportation.

Stacey Bohning has always loved the theater and is looking forward to sharing that passion with children throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Her most recent theater credits include working as sound board operator for the St. Charles Community College Center Stage Theatre production of “Black Elk Speaks” and stage crew of The History Theatre Festival. Stacey is a volunteer for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service and works as a Project Coordinator and Customer Service Specialist at Advanced Technology Consultants. She has also worked for KMOV-TV and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Stacey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri — Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in News-Editorial Journalism and a minor in Spanish. She is looking forward to using her writing skills to provide content for the Monkey Tales Theatre Web site, using her media experience to promote the group and using her theater experience to help wherever it is needed.

Tracy Bono is going bananas over Monkey Tales Theatre! She has combined two of her favorite passions: theater and children. She holds a BS from Missouri State University and a MS from Lindenwood University. Theater has been an important part of her life since the age of three when she started taking dance lessons. Since then, Tracy has participated in various theatrical endeavors as a performer and working in many stage crews. She has also worked in television, radio and film documentaries. In 2008, she had the opportunity to direct an original one-act play she wrote for the History Theatre Festival at St. Charles Community College. Her favorite role of all time is starring as “Mommy” to her three talented children and “Wife” to her rock-star husband.

Melissa Boyer i, mother of two little monkey’s herself, is passionate about theater and children, so she has found her home with Monkey Tales Theatre. She is finishing her Master of Fine Arts in Theater Directing at Lindenwood. She has directed “Never Swim Alone”, “Shakespeare’s Women”, and acted in “Who’s Afriaid of Virginia Woolf?” While directing is her passion, she has acted in many roles, including portraying Lydia Roosevelt in “Women of Strength in a New Nation” at the 2008 History Theatre Festival.

Kirk Dulin has been in love with acting ever since his sister forced him to audition for a play in fifth grade, just so he’d make some friends! Since then, he hasn’t been able to stay away from the theatre. Kirk studied Theatre Arts at Eastern Illinois University for two years, and now is finishing up his B.A. at Southeastern Illinois University Edwardsville. His favorite roles include Prospero (The Tempest), Fyedka (Fiddler on the Roof), Prince Handsomely (Past Imagination), and Nick Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Kirk is thrilled to be a part of MTT!

Amy Edwards is a mom of a four-year-old and two-year-old who keep her super busy. She married her college sweetheart and has been married for 14 years. She says she is a role model of a Gemini! Amy has a Bachelor’s of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla and a Master’s in Business Administration from Lindenwood University. She has been dancing since the age of four, and was in the Nebraska Junior Ballet Company as a teenager. She loves to try new things like Piloga and belly dancing and quilting. Amy learned how to sew by watching her mom and then over 25 years later she sat down at a sewing machine and taught herself. She is a sucker for any charity and loves to volunteer. She volunteered to be an assistant organizer of the St. Peters Playgroup in charge of Charity and Volunteering. Her favorite quote is: “Failure is not an option!”

As Technical Advisor to Monkey Tales Theatre, Drew Garrett brings 10 years of theater experience both onstage and backstage. Drew began his theater education in Young People’s Theatre. He is employed by The History Theatre Festival as Technical Director, the Touhill Performing Arts Center as Event Assistant and St. Charles Community College as a Theater Assistant. He volunteers for Center Stage Theatre, Church of the Shepherd as their IT Manager and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cottleville as their Visual Technician. In his “real” job, Drew works for Cybercon.com as a Support Technician. Drew graduated from SCC with an AAs in Computer Networking and will receive his BS in Computer Science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in May. In his free time, Drew watches the Discovery Channel and takes care of his cat, Pepe, Jr. Drew hopes one day to become a contestant on Cash Cab.

Bev Hoff has lived in or near St. Louis most of her life. She began playing and then teaching guitar around age 11. She and her husband, Bill, have played music in a variety of local venues and special occasions. Now working as a Certified Diabetes Nurse, she is interested in using her creative skills to help impart messages about health habits and citizenship to younger audiences. She has volunteered for a variety of organizations that benefit children. She has been a nurse/nutritionist at a camp for children with diabetes for 16 years. Recently, she provided music for the original one act play, “Women of Strength in a New Nation”.

Courtney Hooker most recently played Hannah Hendee in The History Theatre Festival’s Women of Strength in a New Nation. Courtney has trod the boards many a time over at Center Stage Theatre, her most recent show being Once Upon a Mattress.

Craig Jones lends his “Edith Head”- inspired costume skills to Monkey Tales theatre. A great lover of the art of costume design, the costumer recently designed the costumes for the British thriller, Dial “M” for Murder. Costume Credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank, Crazy for You, Machinal, Dracula: The Undead, and Pinocchio. He currently attends Lindenwood University, where he is continuing his studies in Technical Theatre- Costume Design, and a minor in Dance. A former actor, Mr. Jones originated the role of Danny “Nan” Burkley in the workshop production of Slice and played such roles as Billy Crocker (Anything Goes), E.J. Lofgren (Harvey), Juror Five (Twelve Angry Men), and various chorus parts in Guys and Dolls. “To my family, the friends, and my loved ones who let me chase rainbows for a living.”

David Kloeckener is in college and going for a degree in Fine Arts/Photography. He is of Cherokee descent and has been participating in powwows throughout the Midwest since he was a child. He sits at a few Native American drums and competes as a dancer. He has performed in the St. Charles Community College Center Stage Theatre production of “Black Elk Speaks” playing drum, dancing and acting. He is working as a staff photographer for the school paper and enjoying that very much. He works He is very active in sports, Native American dance, and photography.

Sean Merkle is a writer, actor, and humorist. He has performed in several shows including Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead and The Drowsy Chaperone (Center Stage Theatre) and was in The Saint Louis premire of Moby Dick! The Musical (Over Due Theatre). While Sean has written several scripts his first to be performed is The Great Christmas Eve Adventure of Schmerkle and Schmee (written with the infinitely talented Tracy Bono).

Mike Metroulas has been a professional guitarist, songwriter, and guitar instructor since 1985. He is extremely excited to be writing songs for Monkey Tales Theatre and has found the experience to be one of the most fulfilling of his career. When his nose isn’t deep in a history book or a scrumptious recipe, Mike enjoys working on Spanish, Greek, and Russian. His three wonderful children like to go absolutely bananas, and Mike often asks them if they are monkeys. In fact, after his eldest son gets a haircut, Mike likes to call him “monkey head”. His volunteer work includes teaching Junior Achievement Lessons in St. Louis Public Schools and tutoring immigrant high school students at the International Institute. He holds both a BA in History from UMSL and an MA in History from SIUE. Mike currently works as a college instructor in both History and Developmental English.

Kenneth “Ken” Parker has been involved with 28 theatrical productions. He started with the St. Charles Community College Center Stage Production of “All My Sons” in 2006 working the light board. He has since done sound, spot, costumes, backstage work and set construction. Ken was recently the Stage Manager again for The History Theatre Festival. He also made his acting debut during the festival in “Joan of Arc”. Earlier this year, he was the Stage Manager for Center Stage Theatre’s production of “Black Elk Speaks” directed by Professor Hal Berry. He will perform this role again this summer when Mr. Berry takes the show to Omaha, Nebraska. Ken has worked in 10 fantastic productions for Center Stage Theatre and has also helped the crew for the Young People’s Theatre. Last year, Ken had the privilege to work on the very first show for Moonlighting Theatre in their production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!”

Joel Reinitz is always excited for a chance to be creative. Whether that be writing, singing, drawing or acting like a monkey for MonkeyTales, it’s all good. He tries to maintain a balanced life of physical and mental activities with wife Stephanie. A great booming hurrah for all those kind and creative souls in the world. Like the great Ed Wood, he encourages all to never give up on their dreams with nothing but love.

Jamie Roberts most recently starred as Amelia Earhardt in Amelia Lives! during The History Theatre Festival. During the festival, Jamie also was featured in Fascinating Rhythm: The Age of American Song. Jamie’s past performances include Black Elk Speaks, Sandy in Grease, Lily in The Secret Garden, Tuptim in The King and I, Antigone in Antigone, and Samantha in Frank’s: A New Musical.

Le’Anne Schlotzhauer is a wife and mother of two boys, Taylor age 12 and George age 9. She currently works full time at Emmaus Homes teaching and coaching staff that support individuals with disabilities. She has a BS in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Her first taste of life of stage came at age 5 during a dance recital. She has toured with a musical production called “His Love Endures Forever” from Harvester Christian Church. She has done various sketches and introduction entertainment for women’s events. She gets to fulfill her passion for teaching children through being a Sunday School teacher, Student Ministries sponsor and now with Monkey Tales Theater.

Jodi Ward is thrilled to be a part of Monkey Tales Theatre. What she lacks in theater experience, she makes up for with her youthful energy. Jodi holds a BS in Justice Systems from Truman State University and a minor in psychology. After working for several years counseling juvenile offenders, Jodi took a job at The Miriam School teaching students with special needs. Since the birth of her daughter, Amelia, she spends most of her time as a personal chef, social coordinator and professional boo boo smoocher. Jodi is wife to Jason and has a four-legged “dogter” named Truman.

Aubrey Wiggs is a recent graduate of Eastern Illinois University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. While at Eastern she performed in 9 shows and also directed a one act. Favorite roles include Philia in A Funny Thing…Forum, Celia in As You Like It, Elaine in Arsenic and Old Lace, Ellie Murphy in Step on a Crack, and Mrs. Smith in The Bald Soprano for which she received an Irene Ryan Award nomination. Aubrey was also a recipient of the Excellence in Fine Arts Award and the Gerald E Sullivan Memorial Scholarship at Eastern. Aubrey is so happy and thankful to be a part of Monkey Tales Theatre and she couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. Go Bananas!

Jordyn Wofford is a newcomer to Monkey Tales. She is a student at St. Charles Community College working for her associate’s degree, before she transfers to a four year university to focus all her energy on Musical Theatre. Theatre is a huge part of her life and she is so excited to be part of such a great organization where actors perform for children, showing them the joy of theatre. Jordyn has always be a part of the theatre world, whether she is choreographing a show or being a part of one. She has been taking dance lessons since she was five; she has also performed with the Young Peoples Theatre at St. Charles Community College, and now center stage.  Her resent show was “A piece of My Heart” at St. Charles Community College, as actor and choreographer.