Rua’s visit was part of Elon Music Theatre’s ongoing initiative to bring working industry professionals to campus for training, exposure to current Broadway practices, and expanded educational opportunities for students.
Broadway performer and choreographer Jon Rua visited Elon on April 20 to teach a dance masterclass for music theatre students.
Rua, a Colombian-American artist, is known for blending his street-style dance background with contemporary musical theatre movement. Before beginning his Broadway career, he trained extensively in hip-hop and freestyle forms, later integrating those influences into his work as both a performer and choreographer. His movement vocabulary often incorporates rhythmic footwork, sharp isolations and groove-based foundations drawn from the roots of street styles.
As a performer, Rua has appeared in Broadway productions including “Hamilton,” “In the Heights,” “Hands on a Hardbody” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” His recent choreography credits include the 2025 Broadway revival of “Floyd Collins” and serving as assistant choreographer to Jerry Mitchell on “BOOP! The Musical.” In addition to his Broadway work, Rua has contributed choreography to regional theatres, workshops, and developmental labs, further establishing himself as a multifaceted creative artist.
During the masterclass, Rua taught his own choreography from the Tony-nominated revival of “Floyd Collins,” offering students insight into the movement and staging process behind the production. He also participated in a Q&A session, discussing his experiences in the industry, his navigation of being a working performer and choreographer, and the ways his street dance foundation informs his creative approach.