Also a theatrical producer and director, Merle graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

[2] Merle co-founded Keyhole Theatre Company in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL.

He served as artistic director of Keyhole Theatre Company for seven years until it closed.

[2] He made the short films, What Joan Knows, Morgan's Last Call, Gnaw, Art Room, and Carnage on Graves Farm.

It was a Shriekfest official selection and Merle won Best director for the film at the Los Angeles Movie Awards.