Marty Strohmeyer

Co-Founder and Artistic Director

Marty co-founded Shooting Star Productions in 2002 and currently serves as the Artistic Director.  Marty holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in theatre from Southeast Missouri State University and Master of Arts with a focus in directing from Fontbonne University. He teaches speech and theatre classes at Visitation Academy where he is also the Director of Theatre.  His productions at Visitation Academy have received numerous St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards nominations and has received the honor of Outstanding Director twice.  His work extends into the Variety Children's Theatre program, an inclusive professional theatre production that casts children with disabilities. He has been Assistant Director for several productions, and he developed an intern program for children with disabilities to work with professional directors and designers.  He continues to teach summer camp workshops for Variety.  Marty's philosophy of teaching and directing centers on challenging young performers to reach maximum potential while creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity.

Michele Stokes

Co-Founder and Costume Director

Michele Stokes, co-founder of Shooting Star Productions, is an educator In the St. Louis area. She is a past President and a past Treasurer of SSP. Michele has designed and coordinated the costumes for many of the SSP shows.

JANA Allen

President

Jana joined the Board in 2014 and was named President in 2019. She first became involved in SSP in 2010 when her daughter performed in the summer production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Having worked on set designs and as Box Office Manager for several productions, Jana genuinely believes in the mission of SSP and the development of creativity and self-confidence inherent in the performing arts. As a Marketing and Admissions professional, Jana joined the Board of Directors to help SSP thrive as a lasting, professional youth theater company in the St. Louis area. She, along with her family, have made life-long friendships that she will cherish for years to come!

Elizabeth southern

Vice President

A board member since 2013 and current Vice-President, Elizabeth became involved with SSP in 2011 when her son performed in his first of what would be 12 productions with SSP. While her son has entered his next stage and is pursuing his acting career in college, Elizabeth continues to support SSP in order to provide a platform for the personal growth and confidence building youth theater can provide. Welcoming potential performers to auditions is Elizabeth's favorite part of serving as a board member.

LEN ESSIG

Treasurer

Len, the SSP’s Treasurer, joined the Board in 2010. Len’s involvement with SSP dates to 2006 when his children joined the cast of Children of Eden, and SSP has been a huge part of their family life ever since. All three of the children of Len and his wife Heather are SSP alums. In addition to being a husband and father, Len is a lawyer in private practice.

Michelle hand

Secretary

Michelle has been a SSP Board Member since 2014 and serves currently as Board Secretary.  As an actor who has worked professionally for over twenty years, she is glad to support this company that nurtures young performers, encourages a spirit of community, and consistently creates quality productions for families to enjoy. In addition to being on the board, Michelle has often been seen stationed at the lobby doors as House Manager or in the theater seats as an enthusiastic audience for her daughter and the other Shooting Star kids appearing onstage.

Shelley Johnson

Box Office Coordinator

After moving to the St. Louis area, Shelley was so grateful to find SSP, and how they were able to nurture her daughter’s love of theatre. She became involved when her daughter was cast in The School of Rock in 2017. Ultimately the selling points were that SSP fosters self-esteem and self-discovery by emphasizing discipline, team-building and communication skills in a positive and creative environment.

Shelley, who works for a nonprofit agency that services youth in the community, gives countless hours to volunteering and serving on boards that are related to helping youth. She joined the SSP Board in 2021.

Amy kramer

Parent Volunteer Coordinator

Amy joined the Board of Shooting Star Productions in 2021 but has been volunteering with the organization since 2017 when her eldest daughter performed in School of Rock. Since then, all four of her children, with husband Josh, have been a part of at least one production. Amy has enjoyed working on a previous playbill and chaperoning the younger performers during the shows. She is honored to dedicate more time to SSP now as a board member and looks forward to helping with the organization’s events. Amy particularly appreciates the family-values nature of SSP. Not only do young cast and crew members experience outstanding performance experiences, but they develop friendships in a family-focused environment. Amy has always been passionate about youth theatre and choral singing. She is an alumna of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs and also serves on their Board.

Michelle donovan-cuddihee

Development Director

Michelle became involved in SSP in 2011 when her oldest son was cast in the production of Big!  She worked on the playbill and hair/make-up committee on several productions and most recently has assisted with House Managing.  Since the first production of Big, all three of her children have been cast in several SSP productions.  Michelle is an advocate for the arts and believes the creative outlet and valuable lessons theatre provides enhances the lives of those who participate.  As a Development and Marketing professional, Michelle joined the Board in 2018 to offer her assistance and fundraising advice to help SSP continue to provide exceptional youth theater in St. Louis.  She is grateful for the experiences her children have had through SSP and the friendships each of them has made along the way.

carrie demarco

Property Master/Audition Coordinator

Carrie joined the SSP Board in 2019. She first learned of SSP in 2011 when her daughter showed an interest in musical theatre, something near and dear to Carrie’s heart. Since then, both her daughter and son have performed on stage and also behind the scenes working as lighting and stage-managing interns.  Carrie has helped with set painting and working on props. She appreciates that SSP provides an environment where families can work together and creates a positive theatrical experience for young performers as their mission states.

Tara Schultz

Development and Fundraising Co-Chair

Tara joined the SSP Board in 2023. While her two oldest children just made their SSP debut in the 2023 summer production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, her family has supported and enjoyed SSP shows for several years. Tara enjoys volunteering with children. She is proud to be part of an organization that fosters positive friendships and exceptional theatre training, in a family-focused environment. 

Nicole voss

Production Manager

Nicole began her involvement with Shooting Star as the Stage Manager in 2021 and 2022, then joined the board in 2023 as the Production Manager. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Acting, Directing, and Theatre/Speech Education as well as a Master of Arts in Theatre with a focus in directing, from Lindenwood University. Now retired, she is excited to devote more time to Shooting Star where children can reach their full potential in acting, singing, dance, and tech while being treated with respect. It is a place where children are encouraged to be themselves, achieve excellence, and learn from professionals. Aside from Shooting Star, Nicole works at Washington University School of Medicine as a Standardized Patient and volunteers for the MO State Thespians.

Cody Stokes

Award-Winning Filmmaker/Commercial Director

Cody Stokes is an award-winning filmmaker and commercial director. As the son of co-founder Michele Stokes and a former theater student of Artistic Director Marty Strohmeyer, Cody has been involved with Shooting Star in various capacities since the company's inception. Now, with kids of his own participating on and off stage with Shooting Star, Cody joined the board in 2023. Bringing together a wealth of experience in diverse production roles, spanning both technical and theoretical aspects, he is proud to be a member of the Shooting Star Team.