Help Champaign Urbana Drama Makers' First Show

Hello! My name is Jordan Rinkenberger and I am hoping that you will consider donating to help jumpstart my theater organization and put on my first production.

If you are not familiar with me, I am a student at Champaign Central High School and have been performing since I was 5 years old. Ever since stepping onstage, I knew that being involved in the art of live theater was my purpose in life. I have been involved in over 50 productions in Champaign-Urbana over the last decade and while I have mostly been seen as an actor, my true passion is in directing. Something in my mind always could envision and interpret and that is what intrigues me about directing. This past year, I have taken action to get involved in directing; from assisting in a theater summer camp for youth to directing a 24 Hour Play® at the International Thespian Festival. While these endeavors were great experiences, It’s time for me to actually direct a full-length show. It is not typical for companies in the area to have students direct so I had the thought, why not create my own company? Upon consulting with my parents and other theater professionals, I set my mind on making this vision a reality. I chose the name for my company, Champaign Urbana Drama Makers and now it has come to life. For my first production, I had my mind set on a particular show; Carrie the Musical. Famous for being one of Broadway’s biggest flops in the 80’s, Carrie tells the story of a small-town girl, Carrie White, who discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to get back at her bullying high school classmates and tyrannical mother. While some of the events that take place in the show are extreme, it holds messages that are especially relevant and important today; the power of treating people with kindness. You truly never know what someone else is going through so it is important to treat everyone with empathy. Something especially interesting to me about Carrie is the history of the show. While the production initially flopped on Broadway in 1988, only playing 5 performances, the show was rewritten and revived Off-Broadway in 2012. This remounting of the show received better press and has gone on to be performed professionally and in communities across the world. Even just the history of the show leaves a strong and relevant message; don’t give up on what you are passionate about. And so I am carrying that very message with me in creating this own company and putting on this special show. We are set to perform June 13-15, 2024 at Parkland College’s Second Stage Theatre. As this is our first production, we don’t have funding and are paying for the production costs out-of-pocket. Ticket sales alone won’t make up for the costs so I am turning to fundraising and sponsorships. I appreciate you all for reading my message and hope you consider donating to help start this organization and put on this important show. If you have any interest in getting involved in the production or have any questions, you can email me or visit our website www.cudramamakers.com. Thank you!!