Background
Hanke was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the oldest of five children.
Hanke was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the oldest of five children.
He spent his childhood in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Hanke was accepted to medical school, but decided to defer his admission. Hanke has played leading roles in various Broadway and off-Broadway shows.
His roles have included Ethan Girard in the national tour of The Full Monty (2002) and Nick Piazza in Fame on 42nd Street (2003, off-Broadway).
And on Broadway as J.T. in In My Life (2005), Mark Cohen in Rent (2007) and Baldwin in Cry-Baby (2008). And Claude in Hair (2008 - Central Park production).
Hanke has also appeared on television, playing the series regular role of the inexperienced transplant coordinator Ryan Abbott on the Columbia Broadcasting System television series Three Rivers. He had a guest-starring role on American Broadcasting Company"s Brothers & Sisters in 2010.
Hanke replaced Michael Urie in the Office-Broadway solo comedy "Buyer & Cellar," at the Barrow Street Theatre, from March 18th, 2014 until its closing on July 27th.
From June 23-30 2015, he played "Corny Collins" in Hairspray at The Muny. On October 7th, 2015, a cast recording of Cry-Baby was released, featuring most of the original cast, including Hanke as Baldwin.