Jon Rua

Jon Rua
Jon Rua
	Rua in 2015
Born	August 14, 1983 (age 41); Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma mater	Rutgers University
Occupations	Actor; choreographer; singer; dancer;
Years active	2003–present
Movement	T.H.E. Grit (Trigger Human Emotion)

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, The SpongeBob Musical, and Hands on a Hardbody.

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. He also appeared in the televised version of the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, which is currently on the Paramount+ streaming app.

Upcoming Projects

Currently, Rua is working on a dance narrative written, choreographed, and performed by himself entitled, "Teenage Soul", has been commissioned by Milwaukee Rep and is planned to have public performances as early as 2023. Rua is also the Choreographer for and actor in The Hombres at Two River Theater which is set to release in 2022.

Educator / Movement Director

Rua lives in New York City, where he teaches at the Broadway Dance Center.[14] Outside of the Broadway Dance Center, Rua teaches dancers of all levels through workshops. Most recently Rua put on a dance workshop in 2021 as a Movement Director on the SS Neverender, a cruise for the band Coheed & Cambria, to the song In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3. Rua also led an advanced hip hop workshop at BroadwayCon in 2016.

Other Choreographer / Assisting / Teaching Credits

Hamilton as Assistant to the Choreographer
Hands on a Hardbody as Assistant to the Choreographer
FlashDance as Assistant to the Choreographer
Bring It On The Musical as Assistant to the Choreographer
The Wiz-NYCC as Assistant to the Choreographer
In The Heights as Assistant to the Choreographer
Insanity as Assistant to the Choreographer
International Seminar of Dance as Assistant to the Choreographer as HipHop Instructor/Choreographer
Genctur Youth Camp as Dance Instructor in Istanbul, Turkey

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)
2019 nominee Chita Rivera Awards for Film Nominations as Assistance Choreographer in "Isn't it Romantic"
2018 nominee Fred Astaire Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in "Spongebob SquarePants"
2016 nominee Fred Astaire Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in "Hamilton"
2016 Winner Tony Awards for Best Musical Theater Album for "Hamilton"
2014 nominee Capezio A.C.E. Awards for Choreographic Excellence
2011 nominee Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre Nomination for Leading Actor

Personal life

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

In 2021 Rua was a guest on the SS Neverender, a cruise for the band Coheed & Cambria, where he led choreography lessons for the cruise attendees to the song In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3.

Performance credits

Theatrical performances

Broadway

Title	Role	Details	Notes
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical	Patchy the Pirate and Ensemble (2017–2018)^[15]	Palace Theatre	Actor, Assistant Choreographer
Hamilton	Charles Lee and Ensemble (2015-2016); Alexander Hamilton (s/b 2017; u/s 2015–2016)	Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler	Actor, Choreographer
Hands on a Hardbody	Jesus Peña	Neil Pepe, Sergio Trujillo	Actor, Choreographer
In the Heights	Graffiti Pete Sonny, Usnavi (u/s)	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	Actor
The Hombres(2022)	New York City Center, John Rando	Two River Theater/Annie Tippe	Actor
Hamilton	Charles Lee / Ensemble	New York City Center, John Rando	Public Theatre/Thomas Kail	Actor
In The Heights	Sonny/Graffiti Pete; u/s Usnavi	Tommy Kail/A. Blankenbuehler	Actor

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
Pirates'	Samuel	The Muny, Gordon Greenberg	Actor
Hands on a Harbody	Jesus Pena	La Jolla Playhouse	Actor

Readings and workshops

Title	Role	Details
Magic Mike	Tito	Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt
American Pop	As cast	New York Stage & Film, Michael Friedman
The Solid Sand Below	Flores	Atlantic Theatre Company, Martin Zimmerman
Queen of the Stardust Ballroom	Fernando	Jerry Mitchell, Marvin Hamlisch
Queen of the Stardust Ballroom	Fernando	Jerry Mitchell, Marvin Hamlisch
Eighty Sixed	Richard	Sam Salmond, Jeremy King
Ever After	Gustave	Dir. Susan V. Booth
Bread and Roses	Ruben	NYMF FESTIVAL 2016
Hamilton	As Cast, Jefferson/Burr	Public Theater/Dir. Tommy Kail
Hands on a Hardbody	Jesus	Neil Pepe, Doug Wright
Kingdom	Andres	Public Theater
Fly	Lotty	Jeffrey Seller, Bill Sherman
Paperdolls	Jiorgio	Sundance Theater, Mark Brokaw
Stuck Elevator/Like Water for Chocolate	Principal	Sundance Theater Lab
Bare	Lucas	Stafford Arima, Lynne Shanke
Paperdolls	Jiorgio	Mark Brokaw, Phillip Himberg

Film

Title	Role	Details	Notes
Fall to Rise	Magic	Directed by Jayce Bartok	Actor
Hamilton	Charles Lee / Ensemble	Directed by Thomas Kail	Actor
First Reformed	Repairman	Directed by Paul Schrader	Actor
The Things We Do They Don't Understand	Eduardo	Directed by Ashley Michel Hoban	Actor
Isn't It Romantic	Dancer	Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson	Dancer
In the Heights	Background vocals	Directed by Jon M. Chu
Smile 2	Anton	Directed by Parker Finn	Actor

Television

Title	Role	Details	Notes
Blacklist	Guest-Star	NBC/Dir. Bill Roe	Actor
Blue Bloods	Guest-Star	CBS/Dir. Alex Zakrzewski	Actor
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
Verizon Commercial	Security Guard	National Television	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

^ "Triggering human emotion with Jon Rua". The Pickwyck. May 8, 2016.
^ Henry, Sally. "Humanizing the $10 Founding Father: Understudy Jon Rua Talks Being Born to Play HAMILTON". Broadway World. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "Jon Rua". Dancers of New York. November 6, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c 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.
^ "Jon Rua Theatre Credits". Broadway World.
^ "Listings – Blue Bloods – Episode Title: (#BB709) "Confessions"". The Futon Critic. November 18, 2016.
^ Rua, Jon. "Biography". www.jonrua.net. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
^ Searle, Deborah (October 8, 2014). "Jon Rua is making his own rules". www.danceinforma.com. Dance Informa.
^ "2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Nominees". www.theastaireawards.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
^ ""Young Immigrant Hamilton Tour" July 7-8, 2016". www.goelizabethnj.com. Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organisation.
^ Sullivan, Fran. "Hamilton Performer Jon Rua Visits Snyder Academy as Part of Founding Father's Celebration". www.tapinto.net.
^ "Jon Rua – Biography". IMDb.com. Internet Movie Database.
^ 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.

[pick-1] "Triggering human emotion with Jon Rua". The Pickwyck. May 8, 2016.

[AutoQS-1-2] Henry, Sally. "Humanizing the $10 Founding Father: Understudy Jon Rua Talks Being Born to Play HAMILTON". Broadway World. Retrieved February 28, 2016.

[AutoYY-1-3] 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.

[AutoYY-2-4] 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.

[AutoQS-3-5] "Jon Rua". Dancers of New York. November 6, 2015.

[Kojic-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.

[AutoQS-4-7] "Jon Rua Theatre Credits". Broadway World.

[AutoQS-5-8] "Listings – Blue Bloods – Episode Title: (#BB709) "Confessions"". The Futon Critic. November 18, 2016.

[AutoQS-6-9] Rua, Jon. "Biography". www.jonrua.net. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.

[AutoQS-7-10] Searle, Deborah (October 8, 2014). "Jon Rua is making his own rules". www.danceinforma.com. Dance Informa.

[AutoQS-8-11] "2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Nominees". www.theastaireawards.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.

[AutoQS-9-12] ""Young Immigrant Hamilton Tour" July 7-8, 2016". www.goelizabethnj.com. Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organisation.

[AutoQS-10-13] Sullivan, Fran. "Hamilton Performer Jon Rua Visits Snyder Academy as Part of Founding Father's Celebration". www.tapinto.net.

[AutoQS-2-14] "Jon Rua – Biography". IMDb.com. Internet Movie Database.

[Salamone-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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