“Cooper Coker plays teenage prodigy Bob Gaudio, and is expertly cast, considering Coker is an amazing vocalist at only 17 years old himself. He’s decades younger than some of his fellow castmates, but said that didn’t create any barriers.”
- The Illinois Times
At the University of Illinois, he studies under the guidance of renowned faculty members Nathan Gunn, Sarah Wigley, and Scott MacLeod. The Lyric Theatre program’s emphasis on classical vocal technique during the first two years of undergraduate study has played a critical role in shaping his foundation as a singer, allowing him to approach contemporary musical theatre repertoire with both freedom and technical security. He credits his professors and mentors with continually pushing him toward vocal growth, artistry, and confidence, and he considers education and mentorship central to his development as a performer.
His performance experience includes both professional regional theatre and university productions. Career highlights include portraying Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys with the Springfield Municipal Opera, as well as his first professional regional performances in Hairspray and Mary Poppins at The Little Theatre on the Square. Additional credits include 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, Oklahoma!, and Anastasia at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. He has also performed at The Hoogland Center for the Arts and The Legacy Theatre, among others. In recognition of his artistic achievements and community impact, he was honored with the Arts Student of the Year Award by the Mayor of Springfield, Illinois, Jim Langfelder.
While he is primarily seen in live performance, dance plays a defining role in his artistic identity. An avid tap dancer, tap is his primary dance style and a key expressive outlet. He frequently collaborates and performs with fellow tap dancer Jaden Saunders, and their work together has become an important and joyful part of his creative life.
As an artist, he is drawn to musical theatre’s ability to blend tradition with immediacy—honoring classic storytelling while embracing contemporary energy and innovation. Audiences and collaborators often remark on his positive energy, strong work ethic, and captivating stage presence, qualities he brings into every rehearsal room and performance. He strives to create work that is not only technically strong, but generous, grounded, and deeply connected.
He currently resides in Springfield, Illinois, while pursuing his studies in Champaign, and remains deeply grateful to his family for their unwavering support and encouragement. Outside of performance, he enjoys golfing, working out, playing basketball, watching football, exploring local coffee shops, and spending time at the piano. He also possesses perfect pitch, a skill that continues to support his musicianship and collaborative work.
A passionate and driven young performer, Cooper is excited to continue growing as an artist and looks forward to contributing his voice, energy, and authenticity to the professional theatre world.
Cooper Coker is a singer, actor, and dancer, and a sophomore Lyric Theatre major pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Lyric Theatre at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. A versatile young artist with a deep love for musical theatre, he is dedicated to building a career as a professional performer rooted in strong storytelling, vocal excellence, and authentic human connection.
Originally born in Springfield, Illinois, and raised in the close-knit community of Rochester, he attended Rochester High School and remained within the Rochester School District from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Growing up, music was a constant presence in his life. He was heavily influenced by artists such as Billy Joel, Elton John, and Van Morrison—musicians whose emphasis on piano-driven storytelling, vocal honesty, and emotional clarity continue to shape his artistic voice. Billy Joel remains one of his greatest musical idols, while the expressive vocal style of Van Morrison and the iconic musicianship of Elton John deeply inform his approach to performance. His love for piano-based music was further nurtured through listening to the Vince Guaraldi Trio, with A Charlie Brown Christmas remaining one of his all-time favorite albums to both hear and play.
His passion for musical theatre was sparked at a young age after seeing his sister perform in Children of Eden, followed soon after by The Music Man. The opening number “Rock Island” and the barbershop quartet left a lasting impression and ignited his fascination with ensemble storytelling, vocal harmony, and theatrical energy—two productions that remain among his favorites to this day. While his artistic path was largely self-discovered, he draws inspiration from a creatively inclined family: his mother studied ballet and piano, and his father is a visual artist.