Keanu Gonzalez is a Sydney-based performer who made his professional musical theatre debut at the age of 16, understudying Scott Hastings in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical. At 22, he was cast in his first leading role as Bernardo in the 2019 Australian production of West Side Story, working closely with two-time Tony-nominated Broadway choreographer Joey McKneely. 

His theatre credits include Rooster in Annie the Musical (Crossroads Live), Kenickie in Grease the Musical (Crossroads Live), and Charles Lee in Hamilton (Michael Cassel Group), where he also understudied the title role of Alexander Hamilton. Additional credits include Greg in A Chorus Line, Alonzo/Rumpus Cat in Cats, and Kassim understudy in Disney’s Aladdin. 

Born in Sydney and raised in Woolloomooloo’s public housing, Keanu grew up in a close-knit community that shaped his strong sense of resilience and connection. His father immigrated to Australia from the Philippines in 1974 and his mother from Serbia in 1991, and he credits his parents, Danijela and Juan, with instilling in him values of honesty, respect, and family. 

Keanu’s performing journey began at age seven through Kung Fu, where he was on track to become the youngest student at his school to earn a black belt. He instead committed fully to dance, training at the world-renowned Brent Street Performing Arts School while completing his academic studies via distance education. At 19, he furthered his training at the Stella Adler Acting Studio in Los Angeles and later appeared in the independent feature film The Siege of Robin Hood. 

Keanu would like to acknowledge his mother, Danijela, and late father, Juan, whose strength, humour, and steadfast love helped shape the person and artist he is today.