JR is native to Phoenix, AZ and was raised in Cincinnati, OH by his mother Kecia Yee, a life long dance teacher, and his father Bob Bruno, a recently retired casino Pit Boss. He is now living in New York City and traveling every chance he gets.

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He started acting at age 6 (not to brag, passing for 4) on CBS's long running "Rescue 911." 

He studied at the Performing Arts High School in Cincinnati, and received his Bachelors of Music from Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Along the way, he danced with San Francisco Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet.

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After college he has been seen on SNL and in Broadway hits like "Book of Mormon" and "West Side Story." In between gigs he performed as a UCB Improv performer and a stand-up comic. 

 

His chosen focus as a director is grounded in his multi-ethnic life experience and comedic sensibility. 

When he has the time, JR teaches dance and theater in several Manhattan schools.