VITAE
Rufus Bonds, Jr.
Cell: 323.893.2857
EDUCATION
M.F.A. California State University at Fullerton – Directing
Awards: Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award/Barack Obama, Drama Desk Nomination, Ovation Award-winner, NAACP Winner, and, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Member
Additional musical theatre classes and training at:
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Broadway/New York City Role Theatre
The Lion King Resident Director Broadway 2021 - Present
Ellington’s Sacred Music Soloist Carnegie Hall/2014
Rent Tom Collins Nederlander Theatre/1999
Parade Jim Conley Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts/1998
Once on This Island Daniel Booth Theatre/Shubert Organization/1991
International
Porgy and Bess Porgy Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre/London/2014
Miss Saigon John Toronto/Princess of Wales Theatre/1992
National Tours
The Color Purple Mister New Jersey/Atlanta/DC/Chicago/2007-2010
The Lion King Mufasa Pantages Theatre/Los Angeles/2000-2006
Music of Andrew L.Webber Gus/Papa National Tour/Chicago, DC, Philadelphia/1990
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DRA 261 Intro to Musical Theater Performance I
(3 credits) Fall/2021,2022, sections: M001,
Synthesis of music, lyrics, and acting fundamentals in the preparation of basic musical theater repertoire for performance.
A study of musical theatre songs and techniques for their performance. The goals of this course are to assist the student in discovering his/her processes for learning and performing musical theatre repertoire. The student will begin building their resource to develop an understanding of the songs and their functions in musical theatre. The process will assist the student in identifying and overcoming obstacles to performing with freedom and commitment.
DRA 262 Intro to Musical Theater Performance I
(3 credits) Spring/2022, 2023 sections: M001,
A study of musical theatre songs and techniques for their performance. The goals of this course are to assist the
student in discovering his/her processes for learning and performing musical theatre repertoire, to begin building
their resource of same, to develop an understanding of song and its functions in musical theatre and to help the
student identify and overcome obstacles to performing with freedom and commitment.
Musical Theatre, DRA 300 M017 Devised
(3 credits) Fall/2020
Course Description (in the course catalog):
The class will introduce the student to the challenges of working with an ensemble of actors based on source material. The student will devise theatre created by an artists' ensemble through acting, song, and dance. The experience must represent the pulse of their joy, pain, struggles, hopes, and demand for life. The work will move, propelled by the beats of their core. The students will collectively investigate and experience the power of their essence, unapologetic giving action to their voice.
DRA 300 M0018 Masterclass
(3 credits) Fall/2020
Course Description (in the course catalog):
This is a modular course, co-taught by Professors Kathleen Wrinn and Rufus Bonds. Half of the course (led by Prof. Wrinn) will center on the design, creation, and performance of short solo cabarets, highlighting students’ unique strengths, life experiences, and artistic points of view. At the culmination of the course, each "mini-cabaret" will be presented for virtual public performance, with an eye toward how to expand and modify them for presentation at brick-and-mortar venues in the future. The other half (led by Prof. Bonds) will consist of researching specific industry expertise, connected with interviews, conversations, and masterclasses with Devon Hadsell, DeMarius Copes, Gregory Butler, Angela Robinson, Karen Olivo, and LaChanze.
Each week the class will discuss a particular artist’s body of work. During that week the particular artist will present a seminar. An immersive online experience with these Renown Artists.
DRA 262 Intro to Musical Theater Performance I
(3 credits) Spring/2019 sections: M001, M002, M003 (3 credits) Spring/2020
Synthesis of music, lyrics, and acting fundamentals in the preparation of basic musical theater repertoire for performance.
A study of musical theatre songs and techniques for their performance. The goals of this course are to assist the student in discovering his/her processes for learning and performing musical theatre repertoire. The student will begin building their resource to develop an understanding of the songs and their functions in musical theatre. The process will assist the student in identifying and overcoming obstacles to performing with freedom and commitment.
Musical Theatre, DRA 462 M001 Auditioning
(3 credits) Spring/2020 (3 credits) Fall/2020
Repertoire, techniques, and the procedures necessary for a professional career in musical theater. Practice, lecture/discussion, and readings.
The course will focus on the skills necessary for auditioning successfully in the Business World, living in the environment, imagery work, telling the story, making bold choices, and how to enter with warmth and exit with grace. This purpose and goal are to prepare each student for their imminent career in professional musical theater. Other goals of this course will assist the student in discovering his/her processes for creating the mindset for auditioning. The course will guide the student toward presenting their authentic self. Students will build a repertoire of songs that represent the actor in many genres, styles, tempos, and eras. Students will undergo mock auditions to understand the preparation required and how to audition under various conditions. Other topics covered include headshots and resumes, types of auditions, clothes, hair, shoes, career maintenance, directors, casting directors, agents, and the accompanist.
DRA 450 Advance Musical Theater Repertoire
(3 credits) Spring/2020
Advanced problems in songs from the entire musical theater repertoire. Emphasis is placed on developing the student’s abilities to choose and prepare the repertoire appropriate to their strengths. One semester is required of all musical theater majors.
The course will focus on the individual strengths of the singer-actor. Other goals of this course will assist the student in discovering his/her processes for preparing and performing a musical theatre role. The student will begin building their resources from script analysis, character development, song analysis, scene work, and performance. The process will assist the student on how to build the journey of their character for the entire play. Each student will have a role from a musical selected, specifically for them. The student will work toward cultivating, the passion/imagination, boldness/vulnerability, honesty/simplicity, and the needs/impulses, “you” bring to the craft of acting.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
THEATRE 370A Introduction to the Fundamental Skills of Directing
(3 credits) Fall/2018 (3 credits) Spring/2019
Introduction to the fundamental skills of directing included script analysis and the director’s staging techniques (composition, picturization, behavior, movement, and rhythm) for the theatre. This course is divided into three sections: play analysis, directing skills, exercises, and synthesis (bringing the first two areas together in the form of scene presentations. This class is designed to introduce students to the art of directing and the tools that the director uses to achieve his/her vision
THEATRE 478 Introduction to Play Rehearsal and Performance Spring/2019 Fall/2018.
Practicum class related to play production, rehearsals, and performance for Children of Eden and
Lysistrata. Fundamentals of rehearsal, theatre etiquette, collaboration & performance standards.
THTR 436A Musical Theatre Workshop (3 credits) Fall 2018
THTR 436B Musical Theatre Workshop (3 credits) Spring 2019
These courses provide students with experience in developing their craft for imminent careers in musical theater. Special emphasis is placed on auditioning for lead roles, working with an accompanist, and storytelling as it relates to the song. Students are introduced to approaches to finding and developing material that is suitable for them, understanding how the industry works, and working with directors and authors.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: CRAFTON HILLS COLLEGE
Crafton Hills College – Taught Master Class in Storytelling in the Department of Theatre and coached students in the art of storytelling through song. The class focused on connecting with an audience, emotional presence, and the importance of the environment. May 2012
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Western Michigan University – Served as Guest Director in residence in the Department of Theatre. Directed students in the production of Kevin J. Watson’s original musical Enough. The focus of the residency was centered on vocal, breathing, and projection techniques while directing the work for a staged reading. September 2012
TEACHING EXPERIENCE: SPELMAN COLLEGE
Spelman College – Served as a guest artist in residence in the Department of Theatre and Performance. Provided insight into a professional career in musical theatre. This workshop was facilitated through lectures, discussions, research projects, and practical applications.
March 2011
PERFORMANCE AND DIRECTORIAL TRAINING
My training has provided me with a keen analysis for storytelling and my directorial strengths include skillfully shaping the stage, directing performances with clear intentions, and sparking discussion leading to constructive criticism. Being trained by critically acclaimed artists/scholars at the top of their field has contributed to my development as an actor and director. Included among those artists:
Hal Prince: American-born producer and director best known for Showboat, Company, Sweeney Todd, Parade, and A Little Night Music.
Michael Grief: American stage director who has received three Tony nominations for Rent, Grey Gardens, Next to Normal, and Dear Evan Hansen.
Julie Taymor: Academy Award-nominated director best known for her innovative work on Disney’s The Lion King and Across the Universe and Titus on film.
Cameron Mackintosh: British theatrical producer of Les Miserables, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Cats, and Oliver.
DIRECTORIAL EXPERIENCE
Professional
The Lion King Resident Director Broadway 2021 - Present
Garth Fagan Celebration Creator/Director/Writer Smithsonian 2023
Once on This Island Flaherty & Ahrens 3D Theatrical/California/2017
The Wiz Charles Smalls Red Mountain Theatre Co./Alabama/2015
Tarzan David Henry Hwang 3D Theatrical/California/2015
University
Urinetown Hollmann/Kotis Syracuse University 2021
Grand Night for Singing Rodgers and Hammerstein Syracuse University 2020
Lysistrata Ellen McLaughlin California State University, Fullerton/2019
Children of Eden Stephen Schwartz California State University, Fullerton/2018
Shakespeare R&J Adaptor: Joe Calarco California State University, Fullerton/2018
Enough Kevin J. Watson Western University/Michigan/2012
Educational Theatre
Mamma Mia Catharine Johnson Muse Machine/Ohio/2019
The Wizard of Oz L. Frank Baum Muse Machine/Ohio/2010
Into the Woods Stephen Sondheim Muse Machine/Ohio/2011
CREATIVE/SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT
I have received critical acclaim for my acting and directing and continue to be invited for “Artist in Residencies” for theatre companies from across the United States. My professional experience and credentials and active projects affirm me as a seasoned artist in higher education and the theatre field. As a result, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field and communicate my views with humor, technical range, a depth that captures the attention of the viewer with its intense physicality, and emotional viability. Along with my work at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, and in international venues, I have the following experience throughout America.
OFF-BROADWAY
Romance in Hard Times Bojangles The Public Theater/New York/1989
The Apple Tree Narrator York Theatre/New York/1988
REGIONAL THEATRE
Parade Jim Conley Redondo Beach CA/2018
Sister Act Curtis Moonlight CA/2017
Man of La Mancha Don Quixote 5th Avenue Seattle/2016
Ragtime Coalhouse Redondo Beach CA/2016
Big River Jim Mark Taper Forum/2003
Spunk Sykes Cleveland Playhouse/1988
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from Barack Obama
Drama Desk Nomination Outstanding supporting actor in a musical, Parade
Ovation Winner Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Parade
NAACP Winner Best Actor in a Musical, The Color Purple
Eugene O’Neill Semi-Finalist Best New Works, Play; The Sisters of Rosewall High
Dora Mavor Moore Nomination Outstanding supporting actor, Miss Saigon
PUBLICATIONS
Production Collaboration in the Theatre: Guiding Principles
By Rufus Bonds Jr. Maria Cominis and Mark Ramont.
Publisher: Routledge 12/28/2021
MTEA Journal( Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance) Volume 4 January
Article: Seeing the Student and Encouraging Them to Work from Their Cultural Point of View.
Honors
Phi Kappa Phi Internation Honor Society
Beta Phi Delta International Honor Society
Elevar Scholar
Alvin Keller Excellence in Theatre Scholarship
Leland & Marlita Bellot Graduate Scholarship in Theatre
Gretchen Kanne Scholarship
The University of California State Fullerton College of the Arts Scholarship
Additional Education
B.S. in Chemistry, University of Cincinnati/June 1982
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, Ohio
With additional training in Musical Training through the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
REFERENCES
Mark Ramont Jim Voltz Timothy Sheader
Advisor / CSUF Mentor / CSUF Director / Porgy and Bess in London
mramont@fullerton.edu jvoltz@fullerton.edu Timothy.Sheader@openairtheatre.com (714) 244-0323 (657) 278-3538 44 844 826 4242
