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.

Rua was the choreographer for the 2016 Muny production of Aida, and a creative consultant for Spongebob the Musical. He currently lives in New York City, where he teaches at the Broadway Dance Center.^[3]

Early life

Rua was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and grew up in Linden, New Jersey. 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. 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.^[4]

On Broadway, Rua played the role of Charles Lee and performed as an ensemble member in Hamilton. He also understudied for the title role before leaving the show on June 29, 2016.^[5] In February 2017, Rua briefly returned to Hamilton as an alternate for Jevon McFerrin in the title role, after Javier Muñoz took temporary leave due to injury.^[6] Prior to Hamilton, Rua was an understudy for the roles of Sonny, Usnavi, and Graffiti Pete in In the Heights.

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.^[7] In 2014, Rua was a finalist for the Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence.^[8]

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 the 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.^[9]

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.^[10][11]

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)

Performance credits

References