DIRECTOR

Jordan Rinkenberger is thrilled to be back this summer directing Gypsy! At 17 years old, he is the founder of Champaign Urbana Drama Makers where he directed and produced its inaugural production, CARRIE: The Musical, last June. After seeing the smashing success of CARRIE, he is excited to be continuing this organization with more productions for the CU community. Jordan has been involved in theatre across Central Illinois for a decade. With over 40 performing credits including the IHSTF 2025 All State Production, The Prom, several choreography credits including Central’s Little Women, and directing credits including CU Drama Makers’ CARRIE, Urbana Park District’s Oliver! (Asst. Director) and Central’s Eurydice (Co-Director), he is well versed in the world of theatre. Jordan cannot wait to get to work on this magical production!

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Stephen Burdsall, a Philadelphia-born singer and pedagogue, is a second year doctoral student in Vocal Performance & Literature at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At UIUC, he serves as the Teaching Assistant for the department of Lyric Theatre, where he maintains a full studio of voice students and instructs a lecture on singing in musical theatre. He also maintains a private studio with students in the CU area. As a performer, Stephen is a fierce advocate for the creation and performance of new works. Recent collaborations include several commissions to Caleb Wayman, one of which, Louisiana Oak, won Third Prize in Chicago’s Fifth Annual SongSlam competition in May 2024, and an upcoming collaboration with composer Ricky Ian Gordon presented at the Station Theatre by Lyric Theatre @ Illinois.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Anna Mettes is a graduate from Grand Canyon University after receiving a B.A. in Theatre and Drama. She has trained in dance with a variety of companies such as The Dance Shoppe AZ, Center Dance Ensemble, Ballet Arizona, Grand Canyon University, The Phoenix Theatre Company, and Ballet Theatre of Phoenix. She has also worked as a dance teaching artist for Valley Youth Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. Favorite choreography credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Arizona School for the Arts), Matilda, Jr., Shrek, Jr., Seussical the Musical, Jr. (Valley Youth Theater), The Spongebob Musical, and Big Fish The Musical (Grand Canyon University). She also has an extensive acting resume, which includes Mad Hatter the Musical (World Premiere - Herberger Theater), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, and Countess Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express (Ethington Theater). Anna moved to Champaign in August of 2024 and is thrilled to be getting involved in the Champaign-Urbana theater scene through participation in White Christmas and Wedding Singer (Parkland) and Gypsy!

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/STAGE MANAGER

Delaney is thrilled to be returning to work with CU Drama Makers! With over ten years of experience in the theatre, Delaney has worked in multiple departments and has a Bachelor's Degree Scenic Technology from the University of Illinois. Though she has already been stage managing for several years, Delaney hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Stage Management in the near future. Past Stage Managing credits include Sister Act (CUTC), Arsenic and Old Lace (CUTC), The Music Man (CUTC), Newsies (Urbana Park District, ASM), Carrie: the Musical (CU Drama Makers), Pippin (DLO Musical Theatre). Past Technical Directing credits include Coriolanus (Illinois Theatre, ATD), The Lion King Jr. (DLO Musical Theatre), LYRIC Under the Stars (LYRIC Theatre at Illinois), Witch (Illinois Theatre, ATD), Carrie: the Musical (CU Drama Makers), Finding Nemo Jr. (DLO Musical Theatre).