Jon Rua

Jon Rua (born Jonathan Rua, August 14, 1983) is an American actor, singer, and choreographer, best known for his roles in Broadway musicals such as Hamilton,[2] In the Heights, and Hands on a Hardbody.

Jon Rua
Jon Rua at Hamilton cast photo op with President Obama in July 2015
Born (1983-08-14) August 14, 1983
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationLinden High School
Alma materRutgers University
Occupation
  • Actor
  • choreographer
  • singer
  • dancer
Years active2003–present
MovementT.H.E. Grit (Trigger Human Emotion)[1]
Websitejonrua.net

Rua was the choreographer for the 2016 Muny production of Aida in St. Louis, and a creative consultant for the 2016 musical SpongeBob SquarePants, joining its Broadway cast in 2017.

Early life

Rua was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Linden.[3] His parents, Maria Nohelia Castañeda Cano and Elibanier "Marco" Rua, were both immigrants from Colombia.

Rua graduated in 2001 from Linden High School, where he participated in the musical theatre program and began dancing socially.[4] He received a B.A. in Communication and Public Relations from Rutgers University. During Rua's college years, he attended his first dance class, and later started teaching dancing to younger students.

Career

After college, Rua joined a dance company as an unpaid commitment, and eventually became a professional dancer doing live performance, music video work, and dancing for concerts. He then transitioned into musical theatre and acting.[5]

Rua made his Broadway debut in 2008 as a swing in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights, later becoming the replacement for Sonny and Graffiti Pete.[6] He stepped into the leading role of Usnavi several times as understudy.[6]

As an original Broadway cast member of Hamilton in 2015, Rua originated the role of Charles Lee and performed in the ensemble. On December 20, 2015, Rua became the third performer to take on the title role of Alexander Hamilton on Broadway, as Miranda's understudy.[6] Rua left Hamilton on June 29, 2016,[7] and briefly returned in February 2017 as an alternate for Jevon McFerrin in the title role, after Javier Muñoz took temporary leave due to injury.[8]

Rua has been a contributing choreographer for such projects as Hamilton, On Your Feet!, Flashdance, Hands on a Hardbody, Bring It On: The Musical, In the Heights, Insanity and NYCC's The Wiz. He has also been credited as a choreographer in productions in which he appeared as an actor.[9] In 2014, Rua was a finalist for the Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence.[10]

His television credits include the role of Ricky in "Confessions", a 2016 episode of the CBS police procedural drama Blue Bloods.

Awards and recognitions

In 2016, Rua was nominated for an Astaire Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show for Hamilton, along with Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana Debose, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, and Ephraim Sykes.[11]

Rua received a ceremonial plate for artistic achievements as a local native, presented by the mayor of Elizabeth, New Jersey during a July 8, 2016 appearance in the "Young Immigrant Hamilton Tour," part of the city's annual "CelebrateHAMILTON" program.[12][13]

Other awards:

  • 2014 finalist for the Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence
  • 2011 nominee for the Craig Noel Award for "Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male" in Somewhere (Old Globe)

Personal life

Rua lives in New York City, where he teaches at the Broadway Dance Center.[14]

Performance credits

Theatrical performances

Broadway
Title Role Details Notes
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical Patchy the Pirate and Krabby Patty (2017–2018)[15] Palace Theatre Actor, Assistant Choreographer
Hamilton Hamilton (standby 2017; understudy 2015–2016); Charles Lee; Ensemble Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler Actor, Choreographer
Hands on a Hardbody Jesus Peña Neil Pepe, Sergio Trujillo Actor, Choreographer
In the Heights Sonny, Graffiti Pete, Usnavi (understudy) Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler Actor, Choreographer

Off-Broadway
Title Role Details Notes
Kung Fu Matthew, Barry, Fung Fung, etc. Signature Theatre, Leigh Silverman Actor
The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity Mace (understudy) Second Stage Theatre, Eddie Torres Actor
Damn Yankees Ensemble New York City Center, John Rando Encores!, Summer Star Series

Regional
Title Role Details Notes
Aida Choreographer The Muny Choreographer
Hands on a Hardbody Jesus Peña La Jolla Playhouse, Neil Pepe Actor, Choreographer
Somewhere Alejandro Candelaria The Old Globe, Giovanna Sardelli Actor (Craig Noel Leading Actor Nominee)
Bring It On: The Musical Twig Universal Studios and Beacon Pictures, Andy Blankenbuehler Actor, Choreographer
West Side Story Chino The Muny, Gordon Greenberg Actor

Readings and workshops
Title Role Details Notes
Magic Mike Tito Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt Actor
American Pop As cast New York Stage & Film, Michael Friedman Actor
The Solid Sand Below Flores Atlantic Theatre Company, Martin Zimmerman Actor
Queen of the Stardust Ballroom Fernando Jerry Mitchell, Marvin Hamlisch Actor

Film
Title Role Details Notes
Fall to Rise Magic Directed by Jayce Bartok Actor
Hamilton Charles Lee/Ensemble Directed by Thomas Kail Actor

Television
Title Role Details Notes
The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage Krabby Patty Nickelodeon Actor
Law & Order: "Bailout" Co-Star NBC Universal, Dir. Jean De Segonzac Actor
Celebrity Wife Swap Self ABC Network Choreographer
Marcy Place feat. Don Omar Co-Star Orfanato Music Group, Chor. Bam Bam Actor

Stage and concerts
Title Role Details Notes
Phish Choreographer, Dancer Fall Tour 2013, Atlantic City Dancer
Mariah Carey Dancer NBC Universal, Chor. Bam Bam Dancer
Soulja Boy Dancer Chor. Mark Martinez, YouTube NYC Dancer

Commercials and music videos
Title Role Details Notes
Hands on a Hardbody Jesus Peña LSerino, Coyne Productions Actor, Commercial
Bring It On: The Musical Twig Universal Studios and Beacon Pictures Commercial
Marcy Place feat. Don Omar Dancer, Featured Actor Orfanato Music Group, Chor. Bam Bam Music Video
Target Industrial Principal Dancer, Actor Dir: Vivian Rosenthal Industrial
In the Heights Dancer Bunker Prod. Co., Warren Fischer Broadway Commercial
Old Flames Choreographer, Dancer Roadrunner Records, Coheed and Cambria Music Video


References
  1. "Triggering human emotion with Jon Rua". The Pickwyck. May 8, 2016.
  2. Henry, Sally. "Humanizing the $10 Founding Father: Understudy Jon Rua Talks Being Born to Play HAMILTON". Broadway World. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  3. Iati, Marisa (July 13, 2016). "Hamilton star talks Broadway and his N.J. roots". NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved August 29, 2017. Rua chatted with a full house in Elizabeth last week about how his childhood in Union County inspires and shapes his push to create theater, music and dance that strike audience members at their core. Rua, now 32, was born in Elizabeth and grew up in Linden.
  4. Ross, Ruth (July 8, 2013). "Linden is In The Heights with Mystic Vision Players". NJ Arts Maven. Retrieved August 29, 2017. Jon Rua, who recently originated the role of Jesus Peña on Broadway in Hands on a Hardbody, graduated from Linden High School in 2001 and went on to appear in the ensemble of the premiere off-Broadway production of In The Heights.
  5. "Jon Rua". Dancers of New York. November 6, 2015.
  6. Kojic, Yvette (October 6, 2016). "The Hamilton–Heights Connection, and the Actors Who Have Done Both". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 2, 2017.
  7. "Jon Rua Theatre Credits". Broadway World.
  8. "Listings – Blue Bloods – Episode Title: (#BB709) "Confessions"". The Futon Critic. November 18, 2016.
  9. Rua, Jon. "Biography". www.jonrua.net. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  10. Searle, Deborah. "Jon Rua is making his own rules". www.danceinforma.com. Dance Informa.
  11. "2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Nominees". www.theastaireawards.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  12. ""Young Immigrant Hamilton Tour" July 7-8, 2016". www.goelizabethnj.com. Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organisation.
  13. Sullivan, Fran. "Hamilton Performer Jon Rua Visits Snyder Academy as Part of Founding Father's Celebration". www.tapinto.net.
  14. "Jon Rua – Biography". IMDb.com. Internet Movie Database.
  15. Salamone, Gina (November 30, 2017). "Playing a giant Krabby Patty in 'SpongeBob SquarePants' musical can leave you feeling fried". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017.
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