Beyond the Music
In addition to all of our incredible shows and activities, we’re also excited to offer these unique experiences on board!
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Jon Rua
Portraying Charles Lee & Featured Ensemble in Hamilton on Disney Plus, Jon Rua’s acting career crosses the stage & screen. With four Tony Nominated Broadway shows under his belt, originating roles such as “Patchy the Pirate” in Spongebob Squarepants, “Charles Lee” in the Tony & Grammy Award Winning hit musical Hamilton, where he also served as the “Hamilton” Standby, and ‘Jesus Pena’ in the docu-based musical Hands on a Hardbody. Other theater credits include “Sonny” & “Graffiti Pete” in Broadway’s ‘In the Heights’, “Beto” in Two River Theater’s ‘The Hombres’; Matthew Lopez’s ‘Somewhere’ at the Old Globe, nominated for a Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play; ‘Kung Fu’ at the Signature Theater; ‘Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity’ at Second Stage Theater; “Rooster” in The Muny’s ‘Annie’.
On the screen, Rua has guest starred on Blacklist, Blue Bloods, Law & Order, and in films such as Fall to Rise, First Reformed, and Isn’t It Romantic. As well as writing, directing, producing, choreographing, and starring in the short film Unknown that premiered at the New York Latino Film Festival in 2022.
FIRST GEN, a new play with movement & music, written and choreographed by Jon Rua, has been commissioned and begun its developmental process with public performances as soon as 2024!
The Co-Creative Director/Choreographer of the sold out 2019 Madison Square Garden NYE PHISH concert, Jon continues to innovate movement on stage & screen. Recently choreographing the Prudential International Conference 2022, NY LOTTO Commercial, The Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical workshop at La Jolla Playhouse, The 75th Air Force Band Anniversary performance, Godspell at PCLO, Jon’s work continues to innovate. Other work includes Coheed & Cambria’s music video (“Old Flames”), The Hombres at Two River Theater, West Side Story at Milwaukee Rep, The Muny’s Aida & Jesus Christ Superstar, Isn’t It Romantic (asst. choreographer), Travelers Insurance, ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap, NBA, NYMF, Broadway Bares.
Jon is the Co-Choreographer for individual production numbers in Broadway’s The Cher Show, SpongeBob Squarepants, SpongeBob Musical Live on Nick, and has been influential to Broadway’s Hamilton, Bring It On The Musical, Hands on a Hardbody, On Your Feet, & Flashdance. Jon has also danced for Mariah Carey, Phish, Don Omar, Soulja Boy, Target, Billboard, Puma, Reebok, IBM, and Panasonic.
Rua, originally hailing from New Jersey, graduated Rutgers University with a B.A. in Communication + Public Relations before heading to New York, where he now resides and creates.