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 Hamilton may refer to:
People
* Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname
** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland
** Lord Hamilto ...
'',
''
In the Heights'', 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
''SpongeBob SquarePants'' (or simply ''SpongeBob'') is an American Animated series, animated Television comedy, comedy Television show, television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It ...
'', joining its Broadway cast in 2017.
Early life
Rua was born in
and grew up in nearby
Linden.
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
Rutgers University (; RU), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a public land-grant research university consisting of four campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College, and was ...
. 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.
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.
[ He stepped into the leading role of Usnavi several times as understudy.][
As an original Broadway cast member of '']Hamilton Hamilton may refer to:
People
* Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname
** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland
** Lord Hamilto ...
'' 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.[ Rua left ''Hamilton'' on June 29, 2016,]On Your Feet!
''On Your Feet!'' is a jukebox musical that played on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre. Based on the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the musical has a book written by Alexander Dine ...
'', '' 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.
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. 4Outside 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
The Chita Rivera Awards for Dance and Choreography (previously titled the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards) celebrate outstanding dance and choreography in theatre, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway and in film at an annual ceremony in New York City ...
for Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show for ''Hamilton Hamilton may refer to:
People
* Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname
** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland
** Lord Hamilto ...
'', 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.
Personal life
Rua lives in New York City, where he teaches at the Broadway Dance Center.
Performance credits
Theatrical performances
Broadway
Off-Broadway
Regional
Readings and workshops
Film
Television
Stage and concerts
Commercials and music videos
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rua, Jon
1983 births
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male musical theatre actors
American people of Colombian descent
Linden High School (New Jersey) alumni
Living people
Male actors from New York City
American choreographers
Singers from New York City
Tony Award winners
Rutgers University alumni
American male dancers
People from Elizabeth, New Jersey
People from Linden, New Jersey