Deanna Doty Warfel, Artistic Director

Born in Chicago, Illinois to ballet dancer Joan Marley Doty and graphic designer/photographer David Doty, Doty Warfel began her training at the Evanston School of Ballet and Ellis-Du Boulay in Chicago. At age 16, she moved to train and subsequently dance under Harvey Hysell of New Orleans Ballet. Doty Warfel continued her career with Robert Ivy Ballet in South Carolina, Lexington Ballet in Kentucky, and as a guest artist with Ballet Alaska, Mississippi Ballet, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Throughout her years of dancing, Doty Warfel enjoyed many opportunities to teach and continued to do so when she moved to Champaign. In 1998, she opened Champaign Ballet Academy, and in the fall of that same year, she founded Champaign Urbana Ballet. Although most of her students train in ballet while pursuing academic excellence at regional schools, her instruction is credited for preparing others for professional careers in ballet, including Devon Teuscher of American Ballet Theatre and Kate Hosier of National Ballet of Canada.

"I have spent years dedicating myself to the establishment of a nationally recognized school and company right here in Champaign. It is an honor and a privilege to make my living as an artist and teacher, and I feel lucky to be able to do it in a community like this. My hope is to be able to give back to our ballet families, and community, as much as they have given to me."

Kay Greene, Executive Director

Kay Greene joined CU Ballet in July of 2013. Prior to joining CU Ballet, she was the Development Director for a private high school where she was responsible for building a strong brand for multiple audiences, managing the annual fund campaign, and increasing student enrollment, student retention, and community awareness. With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and communications, and a genuine passion for the arts, Greene says "At this stage of my life, it's rewarding to draw upon my experience, apply my skills, make a difference, and have fun all at the same time."

Andy Warfel, Production Supervisor

Warfel holds degrees in scenic design and art direction for theatre, film and television from the University of Illinois and New York University, and has designed sets for professional theatrical productions including Dream – The Johnny Mercer Musical on Broadway and two national tours of Footloose The Musical, as well as numerous concerts such as Mariah Carey’s Butterfly and Rainbow global tours, and television shows including The Queen Latifah Show, along with many retail, corporate, and consumer-activation events and environments around the world.  His collaboration with CU Ballet began over twenty years ago, designing early productions of The Nutcracker, and has grown to include designs for Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid, as well as a particularly acute fondness for the Artistic Director who became his wife on New Year’s Eve 2022

Tracy McCabe, Production and Choreographer

Tracy McCabe brings decades of ballet training and theater experience to bear in support of our production. A former board member for Champaign Urbana Ballet and Springfield Ballet Company, McCabe has staged theatrical sections of CU Ballet’s productions for over a decade, including the Battle Scene for The Nutcracker. He also conceived and choreographed CU Ballet's Cinderella. McCabe is a senior administrator at the University of Chicago.

Claire Daly, Photographer and Publicity/Marketing Coordinator

Daly joined the Champaign Ballet Academy in 2000. She performed in many productions with Champaign Urbana Ballet over the years. Her soloist roles include Clara and Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora and Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, Swanhilda in Coppélia, and Pas de Trois in Paquita. She attended The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory for their summer intensive training along with summer intensives taught by Nurlan Abougaliev. After leaving CU Ballet, she attended Parkland College then continued her degree at Lesley University College of Art and Design earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. For the last few years Claire has photographed for the CU Ballet resulting in two books and both web and print publications. She has thoroughly enjoyed the creative collaboration that has developed and appreciates the opportunity to combine her love of ballet and photography. She is happy to be back in her hometown of Champaign where she works as an artist.

Gina Modica, Production Assistant

Gina Modica, a CU Ballet alumna, was among the first group of company dancers, performing from 1999-2003 in various ballets including Pas de Quatre, La Bayadere, and Arensky Variations. She currently serves on the CU Ballet Board of Directors in addition to her backstage production assistance. Modica is employed in the Admissions Department at the University of Illinois.

Ava Teague, Administrative Assistant to the Artistic Director (Intern)

Teague, a seventh-year company member, has performed in CU Ballet’s productions of The Little Mermaid, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, selections from Giselle and Coppélia, and several productions of The Nutcracker. She has trained at Champaign Ballet Academy for eight years, where she also teaches on a regular basis.

Leo Lewis, Rehearsal Assistant and Trainee Program Coordinator (Intern)

Lewis, recently promoted to Company Artist, has performed in CU Ballet’s productions of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. He has trained at Champaign Ballet Academy for over a decade and is currently employed at the Academy as a teacher. Lewis attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Eleanor Kraatz, Company Class Mentor (Intern)

Kraatz, recently named Company Artist for the 2024-2025 season, has performed in CU Ballet’s productions of The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Little Mermaid, selections from Giselle, and 11 productions of The Nutcracker. Kraatz currently attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Biology on a Pre-Dental track and is also employed as a teacher at Champaign Ballet Academy.

Wes Shunk, Assistant Props Master (Intern)

Shunk, a senior at Central High School, has trained at Champaign Ballet Academy under the direction of Deanna Doty Warfel for the last four years, and attended the 2022 and 2023 Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive. A fourth-year company member, Shunk has performed in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Swan Lake, and selections from Cinderella, Coppélia, and Giselle.