Toronto-raised Sergio Trujillo has worked on Tony-winning musicals like "Jersey Boys" and "Memphis," and has previously attended the annual ceremony saluting Broadway's best.
But heading into Sunday's awards as a first-time nominee, the star choreographer already feels a sense of victory with his contributions to the musical "On Your Feet!"
"This is my ninth Broadway show, and I had never done a show that had had Latin themes in it that dealt with the Latin culture -- and I'm Colombian," Trujillo said in a phone interview from New York.
"For me to be able to do a show about my people and to be recognized for it, it's a very special time."
The musical is based on the love story of Grammy-winning superstar singer Gloria Estefan and her legendary producer-musician husband Emilio.
The production reveals how the Cuban-American couple met, battled for crossover success, handled inter-family squabbles and overcame a bus crash that nearly claimed Gloria's life.
The cast performs Trujillo's moves, which are set to the soundtrack of Gloria's catalogue of hits, including "Conga," "Don't Wanna Lose You," "1-2-3" and, of course, "Get On Your Feet."
"They're extremely respectful of the collaboration," Trujillo said of the Estefans.
"They didn't come into Broadway saying: 'Well, we know how to do it.' They were respectful of (director) Jerry Mitchell and I and our process and our entire team."
"The Late Late Show" host James Corden will helm this year's Tonys, which is celebrating a racially diverse slate of talent from the Great White Way.
Fourteen of the 40 nominees for acting in plays and musicals are actors of colour, including a nod for Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o ("Eclipsed.") And the diversity extends beyond on-stage performers to Trujillo's fellow choreographer nominee Savion Glover, and "Eclipsed" playwright Danai Gurira of "The Walking Dead" fame.
"For the theatre community to be open to diversity, to embrace diversity, to embrace stories from other cultures I think is really important at this time and age in our country -- and in North America, period," said Trujillo.
"As far as theatre goes, if you can tell that story in a black box without the aid of any scenery, of any lights, of any costume ... then you've done your work.
"The audiences come in, and I think that they're open to accepting that a black man or a Latino man can be playing (Alexander) Hamilton or all the various presidents."
Trujillo said his involvement with "On Your Feet!" has awakened his personal desire to help broaden the range of stories showcased -- particularly those reflective of his heritage.
"I have to be responsible and figure out a way of supporting other artists that have real dreams and aspirations of writing stories, of composing music that is Latin, of supporting Latin directors, dancers, actors," he said.
"I feel like it's an important time for me and other producers that are Latin and other directors that are Latin and me to really try to get our stories to be heard and seen and told."
-- With files from The Associated Press.
