With a rehearsal bag in hand and a bright spark in his eyes, Rodrigo Nunes, came to St. Thomas University to pursue his lifelong dream of being a part of a musical after years of studying musical theatre.
Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nunes found it hard to believe he could make a living from his passion. Therefore, he majored in public relations. Little did he know a role awaited him in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, which will premiere on Nov. 7 and will run until Nov. 9 at the Fredericton Playhouse.
The second-year exchange student’s love for theatre began when his parents took him to the Disney Live Mickey’s Magic show when he was 10. But, it wasn’t until he booked his first role as Tyltyl in the children’s play Blue Bird that he fell in love with the stage lights and the contagious excitement of an audience.
“I knew that that was it. It just clicked,” said Nunes.
For Nunes, his most defining moment was watching Wicked in his hometown. This musical inspired him to take voice lessons and master opera and belting techniques.
“I always wanted to do an international exchange program, and I was so lucky that the university I was in Brazil had a partnership with STU,” he said. “I think it was destiny.”
Nunes said he was encouraged by friends at his university who participated in an international exchange program last fall at STU.
Nunes decided to give it a shot. He sent his audition tape and booked the role of Franz Klineman in Rock of Ages. A musical produced by Rogue Productions.
“I auditioned in my house through Zoom with my cell phone and they trusted my work,” he said. “Now, I’m here in Canada doing what I love most.”
Nunes added that he auditioned for multiple roles back in Brazil, but only made it to final callbacks. After landing his first international audition, he is now seizing the opportunity to work with Broadway performers such as Tony and Courtney LePage.
“They’re so warm and welcoming. I’m learning so much from them. It’s been an amazing experience,” said Nunes.
Besides booking this opportunity with the theatre production company, he’s also grateful for the musical theatre professors at STU who have motivated him to step out of his comfort zone and discover himself as an actor.
He also considers the musical theatre classes to be high-level and the students’ musical backgrounds exceptional.
While working under Professor Tania Breen, Nunes broadened his perspectives on his career path and realized there were more possibilities in musical theatre than he could imagine.
“I want to show people that it’s possible. Like, if you have huge dreams, huge goals, it’s possible.”
He reflects on what he could say to himself when he was close to giving up on his dream.
“I would say, like, take it easy and the right time will arrive,“ Nunes said. “Everything happens in the right time, in the right place, like for example, here, everything just fell into place.”
