CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Central High School juniors Brady Hong and Jordan Rinkenberger were recently cast in roles for Illinois All-State’s 2025 production of The Prom.

The All-State Production is an event at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival where talented students from across the state gather to celebrate theatre and take the stage. Brady and Jordan, local students in the Central High School theatre program, were chosen through a thorough series of auditions to participate in The Prom, a quirky musical about an Indiana high schooler struggling against the PTA to bring her girlfriend to the prom.

Jordan started theatre in the first grade and was inspired by his sister performing in a local youth production of Peter Pan Jr. His first show was Cinderella Kids with the Champaign Park District which ignited his love for theatre. “Over the last few years, I have taken a serious step up in my passion, being a part of (roughly) 14 productions a year,” said Jordan.
Jordan plans on going to college for a BFA in Theatre Studies (focus in Directing) and a minor in Dance. Afterward, he plans on travelling to many different theatres to direct, choreograph, and finally purchase a theatre space to direct his own productions.
“I have already gotten a head start on these goals, being the founder of Champaign Urbana Drama Makers, a new local theatre organization, which just put on its first production, CARRIE: The Musical, this June,” said Jordan.
In total, Jordan has performed in over 50 productions locally starting at only six years old with training in musical theatre, ballet, and tap dancing. “On top of my performing credits, I have also directed two full-length productions (CU Drama Makers’ CARRIE: The Musical & Central’s Eurydice), assistant directed two productions, choreographed in four productions, and taken on almost every backstage role. My biggest theatrical accomplishment is creating my own theatre organization and successfully directing its debut, CARRIE: The Musical, which had a sold-out run,” said Jordan.
“It tells the story of a girl who is not welcome in her community due to her sexuality, something that is more common than you may think. The show grapples with topics of acceptance and embracing one’s true self which I think is super special, ” said Jordan.

Before Brady was involved in theatre, his sister did plays at her school and Champaign Park District. He was then enrolled into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., a musical based off of the Disney film of the same name, with his sister in the sixth grade and found his passion through his performance. However, the performance immediately preceded the COVID-19 outbreak, and he had to wait until eighth grade to do another show. He then rekindled his love for theatre and has been involved ever since.

This show will now mark his 13th production in three years with roles as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, Jack in Into the Woods, and Trent in The Prom when the show was performed locally last fall. “I’ve been a fairly active member in the local theatre community, and I can’t wait to be a part of a statewide production!” said Brady.
“When we heard that the all-state show would be The Prom, I knew I wanted to audition since I knew the show. I’m just excited to now be a part of the all-state production of The Prom!” said Brady.