Our Team
(In order of appearance)
Before Monkey Wrench, Seth started as a service and install technician where he picked up factory certifications for High End Systems, Vari-Lite, Martin, Color Kinetics, and ETC. After working as a regional sales manager in Arizona with a territory spanning most of Southern USA, he and his wife decided a change of climate was in order and moved to Minneapolis (just a bit cooler).
When he’s not monkeying around, Seth likes to do small renovation projects, travel with his wife and son, play lacrosse and hockey, hang with his 3 labs, and breed service dogs for Can Do Canines.
Seth - Head Chimp
Like most of our Monkeys, Ryan was a customer of Monkey Wrench prior to joining the jungle. With a passion for dimming and architectural systems, he enjoys diagnosing issues and developing tailored solutions for customer systems.
In his time away from Monkey Wrench, Ryan can be found at his home watching a movie, a grand prix, or reading a good book.
A long storied history filled with entirely too many muppets. Jessica started as a touring electrician with My LIttle Pony Live! (yes the exclamation point is necessary) and Sesame Street Live! (still necessary). After years of repairing old VL fixtures and programming on Hog 3, she left the road life to freelance in Chicago and St. Louis. Her adventures then went out west to LD/ME at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek giving their ETC Congo one last season of glory before being put out to pasture. The big city (Denver) then called once more where she imported tapelight for American Lighting, helping develop their new Trulux product line. Opportunity arose in the Twin Cities running the Electrics shop for Vstar Entertainment designing the Lighting, Audio, and Video systems for Paw Patrol Live! (yes, more exclamations). The company moved to Vegas in 2020 but Jessica remained with a brief stint at Mlazgar Assoc. and then as the Lighting Supervisor for Theater Latte Da before landing at MW. You can also find her in her natural habitat of MNUFC games, a local brewery, or playing TTRPGs and Board Games with friends.
Connor has a well rounded background in film and live production, with skills in lighting, sound, and technical repair. He takes a steady, thoughtful approach to his work and values collaboration and problem-solving. In his free time, Connor enjoys filmmaking, playing video games, and spending time outdoors.
Kiki's background in the entertainment industry includes the roles of entertainment electrician, carpenter, technical director, and lighting designer. She enjoys problem-solving and likes to make things happen. Kiki has 3 little monkeys at home to manage as well, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, home improvement projects, and advocating for worker's rights.
Kiki - Operations Monkey
Ryan - Technical Sales
Jeff grew up in St. Louis, MO. His film degree and love of art provided a diverse range of work experiences in a handful of cities. He fit right in when he moved to MN since he already had 3 flannel shirts in his closet. Most of his work has produced live theater/concerts but he would drop everything to work with celluloid again. With a strong focus on logistics, his greatest professional joy comes not from the spotlight, but from making sure everyone else's spotlight is working.
Jeff - Warehouse Monkey
Jessica - Sales Chimp
Kristine has spent the last 17 years immersed in the theatre and entertainment industry, working as an electrician, lighting designer, and most recently as a technical director. Her career has spanned everything from educational theatre to large-scale productions—including designing haunted houses for Busch Gardens, where she combined technical precision with spine-tingling creativity.
Coming from an educational background, Kristine enjoys sharing her knowledge and is always happy to help answer questions and troubleshoot challenges.
Outside of Monkey Wrench, she continues to support educational programs throughout the Twin Cities, tends to an impressive (and ever-growing) houseplant collection, and hosts her own podcast all about plants.
Kristine - Sales Associate Chimp
Connor - Repair Chimp
Jenna Papke wanders into the jungle from time to time to keep numbers in order. The rest of her time is spent keeping a small human alive and a small theater operating.
Jenna - Banana Counter
Susan creates listings and maintains our ecommerce store. She is also an Excel wizard! In her spare time, Susan enjoys gardening and attending K-pop concerts.
