The PlayHouse Floor Staff
Manaar Asad
Manaar Asad is one of our amazing Playologists. Manaar is a born and raised Peorian. Currently, she is in her senior year at Bradley University, where she studies Family Consumer Science. Her favorite color is pink. Manaar loves adventures and wants to travel the world!
Ashley Bailey
Ashley is an explorer of the world. She has lived in several states in the United States. Ashley has lived in Peoria for the past four years. She enjoys camping and arts and crafts. Ashley’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion!
Henry Bolden
Henry is a born and raised Peorian. Currently, Henry is a student at Illinois State University, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Management. He enjoys Free-Form Jazz and Indie music. He also likes experimental movies and music. Henry’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion, especially the basketball hoop.
Krystopher Brown
Krystopher is a self-taught recycle artist. He likes many animated movies but his top favorite is The Iron Giant. He graduated from Peoria High School in 2011 in Music Studies. Krystopher’s favorite exhibits at the PlayHouse are the Water Table and Motion Commotion.
Jordan Davis
Jordan grew up in the Chicago area. He will be transferring to Illinois State University in the Fall. In his free time, Jordan likes to create video games. His favorite movie is the Lego Batman movie. You can always find him wearing crazy socks. Jordan’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion.
Allison Easley
Allison is a born and raised Peorian. She attends Northern Illinois University, where she studies English. She has a total of eleven ear piercings and purple hair. In addition, she’s involved in color guard. Allison’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Water Table.
Haleigh Flaherty
Haleigh grew up in Haeworth, Illinois. Currently, she attends Bradley University, where she studies Nursing. Haleigh’s favorite color is Baby Yellow. She loves to hike and can play the trombone! Haleigh’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Fossils Rock.
Jon Fulton
Jon is a born and raised Peorian. He graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a full-time Kindergarten teacher! He is passionate about reading and his favorite color is cerulean. Jon’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Sci-Lab.
Shane Hajny
Shane grew up around the Peoria area in Morton, Illinois. They graduated from Bradley University, where they studied Game Design. Shane has had a total of four fancy rat pets. Shane is certified in Advanced Diving, meaning they can explore below 60 feet! Shane’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion.
Robin Hasty
Robin is the main leader of our Dungeons and Dragons program! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Her favorite movie is Mulan. She loves all things music and art, and animals, too. Robin’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Theater.
Rebecca Mueller
Rebecca is our Real Tools Specialist! She is from Northwest Indiana and is currently an Elementary Education major at Bradley University. Her favorite movies are Raya and the Last Dragon and Big Hero 6. She loves visiting home to see her dogs, cats, and chickens! Rebecca’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Real Tools!
Ang Naylor
Ang is from the northwest Chicago suburbs and currently goes to school at Bradley University. She is studying Secondary Education along with History & Social Studies. Her favorite movies are Moana and The Princess Bride. In her free time, she likes to watch movies and play various sports. Ang’s favorite exhibits at the PlayHouse are Motion Commotion and the SciLab.
Lottie Prather
Lottie is a born and raised Peorian. From an early age, she’s been interested in musical theater and singing. She’s started her own Party Princess business and has dressed up as several different princesses including Elsa, Anna, Belle, Ariel, and more. Lottie’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion.
Miranda Prather
Miranda is the main leader of our Tot Time program! Miranda has lived in the Peoria area her entire life and loves watching how kids learn and grow. Outside of the PlayHouse, she enjoys doing puzzles, taking care of her family, and watching her daughter perform. Miranda’s favorite exhibits at the PlayHouse are Motion Commotion and the SciLab.
Ashlynn Sauter
Ashlynn comes all the way from Galesburg, Arizona! She was able to graduate in three years and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bradley University. In high school, she only lettered in academics. Currently, she works two jobs with children. Ashlynn’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Motion Commotion.
Ashley Slevin
Ashley grew up in the Peoria area. She is a tabletop gamer. She will burst out into song at any given time. Currently, she has two loveable dogs. Ashley’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is Fossils Rock.
Jack Snyder
Jack was born in Washington, but raised in Illinois. He is currently attends Limestone Community High School. His favorite color is blue, his favorite movie is WALL-E, and his favorite attraction at the Playhouse is Motion Commotion! When not working, he loves playing Dungeons and Dragons, as well as the video games Baldur’s Gate 3 and Minecraft!
Colette Spears
Colette grew up in Plainfield, Indiana, outside of Indianapolis. A fourth-year student at Bradley, she is currently majoring in Accounting and Finance. She was able to study abroad during her time at Bradley. She has four siblings and enjoys cooking. Colette’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Musical Bridge.
Kenzie Stage
Kenzie is a born and raised Peorian. She is known to change her hair color every couple of months. In addition to working at the PlayHouse, she enjoys her time working at a library. She loves reading and read over 550 books in 2023! Kenzie’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Water Table.
Danielle Stoetzer
Danielle grew up in the Peoria area. She married her husband in 2012, and they now have two kids and one cat together. She loves traveling, baking, reading, and crochet. With two athletically inclined kids, she is also learning to enjoy watching sports. Danielle’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Sci-Lab.
Ezmarelda Urso
Ezmarelda grew up in a suburb near Chicago, Illinois. Her favorite movie is A Silent Voice. She likes any shade of red. Currently, she has three cats and one dog. Ezmarelda’s favorite exhibits at the PlayHouse are the Chicken Coop and Motion Commotion, specifically the canon.
Cassie Voss
Cassie is our photographer! They are a born and raised Peorian. In addition, Cassie is a freelance photographer and poet. Their favorite movie is Paddington 1 and 2. Cassie’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Musical Bridge.
Behind The Scenes: The PlayHouse Office Staff
Melissa Sierra
Executive Director
309.681.2853
msierra@peoriaparks.org
Melissa grew up in Illinois and spent most of her childhood within a five-mile radius of Glen Oak Park. Her passion for learning and sharing comes from working in public libraries for almost 10 years, five of which were spent serving the youth of Austin, Texas. She returned home to Peoria in 2019 and came to the PlayHouse with a passion for learning, growing, and sharing access to resources with our patrons and community members.
Katie Klaus
Visitor and Member Engagement Manager
309.323.6893
kklaus@peoriaparks.org
Katie grew up in the Chicago suburbs and spent her childhood making up stories with her older brother and playing with her stuffed animals. She has always had a love for animals, especially cats, and has been a pet parent to a total of 9 cats so far. Katie came to Peoria to attend Eureka College and stayed in the area after graduating in 2011. Almost 2 years after her son was born, Katie came to the PlayHouse at the Admissions Desk to learn more about raising children. Since then she has filled a variety of roles at the PlayHouse leading up to her current one. Katie hopes to continue fostering opportunities for children, caregivers, and staff members to be explorers and creators of the world.
Christian Deeds
Exhibits Manager
309.232.6892
cdeeds@peoriaparks.org
Christian grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Theatre. After some years in Colorado, he found his way to Peoria, Illinois. One of Christian’s most treasured mottoes is to “create something from nothing.” He believes in sharing this sentiment and passing it on to anyone, at any age, to enrich their life significantly. He believes learning and playing go hand-in-hand, making him perfect for the PlayHouse team. Christian hopes to continue to be involved in creative environments and leave his mark at the PlayHouse.
Ryce Ledezma
Operations Coordinator
rledezma@peoriaparks.org
Ryce was born in Evanston, Illinois, but soon moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he lived for fifteen years. In 2022, Ryce found his home here in Peoria. He’s a recent graduate of the Engineering Technician program at the University of Illinois at Carbondale. After working in the Real Tools Maker Space, he immediately connected to the idea of learning through play and finds himself constantly inspired by watching children explore the PlayHouse. Ryce takes great pride in learning and contributing to the daily operations of the PlayHouse so that the community can continue to safely enjoy and explore as visitors and also make it a fun place to work.
Brandon Thompson
Marketing Coordinator
bthompson@peoriaparks.org
Brandon grew up in Knoxville, Illinois and graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. He is an artist, a plant guy & a dog dad. He loves DIY house projects, gardening, kayaking, sci-fi movies/novels and all things design. Brandon is super passionate about going on adventures all around the world and lifelong learning. He is excited to share the importance of play at all ages. Join us at the PlayHouse to connect with your inner child!
Kylan Butler
Education Manager
309.323.6897 ext. 3805
kbutler@peoriaparks.org
Kylan grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He spent his middle and high school summers volunteering at the Natural History Museum in Albuquerque and developed a great love and appreciation for education outside of the classroom. Kylan hopes to bring this enthusiasm to the PlayHouse and foster a love of lifelong learning through play in the next generation of Peorians.
Rachel Aiello
Education Coordinator
309.323.6899
raiello@peoriaparks.org
Rachel is a born and raised Peorian. She graduated from Illinois Central College. Rachel has always had a love for nature and animals. She considers her super power to be laughter. Before coming to the PlayHouse, she worked at Wildlife Prairie Park and the Peoria Zoo. At the PlayHouse, Rachel hopes to help children appreciate the world around them through art, learning, and creativity.
Katherine Moody
Monticello Intern
kmoody@peoriaparks.org
Katherine grew up in Normal, Illinois, and Graduated from Bradley University as a Psychology major. She loves to crochet and sing. Katherine’s favorite exhibit at the PlayHouse is the Water Table.
