How to get a Degree in Rubenology

The legendary Ruben Rabasa (who Andy Garcia called “La Gloria de Cuba” and millennials recognize as “Focus Group Man”) takes the wheel of his own virtual limited series to tell us about the wild ride of his life – all 82 years of it and counting.

In six episodes – all drawing upon different American classic cinematic styles -- Ruben takes us from Cuba to the United States and the greater Milky Way; from Thanksgiving to Mother’s Day; from santeros to his saving grace. It’s funny and silly and full of heart, just like Rabasa himself, who has a thing or two to teach us – his Rubenology -- after eight decades of living life as an actor, a lover, a friend, a son, a Cuban-American.

Premieres Nov. 25, 2020 on IGTV and YouTube.

episodes.

guanajo guantanamera

Ruben puts on his Mr. Rogers Cardigan to tell us all about what Thanksgiving means to him.

4. a greek comedy. No Tragedy. No Comedy. You decide.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

2. my delorean wrangler

Ruben goes back to the future in his red jeep wrangler to tell us where he really comes from.

5. Earning my badge

3. alchemy like buttah)

Ruben goes hard-boiled to tell us about his first days in the gritty city and what he learned about an elusive bar of buttery gold.

6. the mothership

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CREATIVE TEAM

RUBEN RABASA
Actor/Writer

Ruben Rabasa is a Cuban-American actor who has worked in over 60 films and TV shows, such as “The Perez Family” with Marisa Tomei, “Nostromo” with Colin Firth, “The Lost City” with Andy Garcia, and “Jack and Jill” with Adam Sandler. Most recently, at 81 years old, he became the Meme of 2019 after playing Focus Group Man in the American sketch show “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.” He was also a central character in the immersive theatrical hit, The Amparo Experience, which played to sold-out audiences in Miami for 8 months straight, as well as in Michael Leon’s The Cubans at Miami New Drama. Now: Rubenology!    
Website: https://www.therubenrabasa.com  
Instagram: @rubenrabasa 
TikTok: @ruben_rabasa

VANESSA GARCIA
Writer

Vanessa Garcia is a multidisciplinary artist working as a novelist, playwright, screenwriter and journalist. Her debut novel, *White Light*, was published in 2015, to critical acclaim. Named one of the Best Books of 2015 by NPR, Al Dia, Flavorwire, and numerous other publications and institutions, it also won an International Latino Book Award. Her plays have been produced in Edinburgh, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities around the world. These include the immersive hit, *Amparo* (“Miami’s Hottest Ticket,” according to *People en Español*), winner of The Ruth Foreman Award. Most recently she's written for *Sesame Street* and *Caillou*, among other TV content. As a journalist, feature writer, and essayist, her pieces have appeared in *The LA Times*, *The Miami Herald*, *The Guardian, The Washington Post*, *Narrative.ly, Huffington Post, ESPN,* and *American Theatre Magazine*, among numerous other publications. She holds a PhD from the University of California Irvine in English (with a focus in Creative Nonfiction), an MFA from the University of Miami (in fiction), and a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University (English and Art History).
Website: www.vanessagarcia.org
Instagram: @vanessagarciawriter

Twitter: @vanessathekrane
Facebook: Click Here

**VICTORIA COLLADO**
Director

Victoria Collado is a Cuban-American director with an interest in creating exciting and adventurous storytelling experiences on-stage, on-screen, and in your ears! She recently directed the immersive theatre piece, The Amparo Experience, which had a sold out 8-month run and named “Miami’s Hottest Ticket” by People en Español. Victoria has directed for Repertorio Español, WP Theatre, The Civilians, Miami New Drama, MCC Youth Company, Sheen Center, IATI theatre, Microteatro Miami, Columbia University and others. Her production El Burlador de Sevilla received various nominations from the ACE awards, and won for Outstanding Ensemble. She was a Van Lier Directing Fellow with Repertorio Español, part of the Directing Corps in the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and a recipient of the SDCF Observership. Victoria was the assistant director to Tony Taccone in the Tony Award Nominated Latin History For Morons on Broadway by John Leguizamo. Her producing work has led her to produce various films and events such as the BAMkids Film Festival and the May Madness Film Festival. She received her BFA from Florida International University. She is a fellow of the WP Theater’s 2018-2020 Lab. Ms. Collado is an Associate Member of SDC.

Website: www.victoriacollado.com
Instagram: @itsvickylin
Twitter: @itsvickylin

PRODUCERS

ACC 4.jpg — ABRE CAMINO COLLECTIVE
Producers

Abre Camino is a collective comprised of visual, theatre, literary, and performing artists redefining the American narrative through radical storytelling. We believe that great storytelling is specific enough to be universal. That it transcends race, gender, class, and every other label out there. We believe that the power of story is to get as close to the red-hot core of the human being as possible. Stir it, shift it, and change it when necessary.  We are committed to opening paths and creating new avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration.  Here’s to opening paths, Abriendo Camino.
Website: www.abrecaminocollective.com 
Instagram: @abrecaminocollective
 Twitter: @AbreCaminoCo

**ROBBY RAMOS**
Co-Producer

Robby Ramos is an LA based actor. Recent Film/TV credits include: series regular on Starz new show ‘Heels’ set to premiere in summer of 2021. ‘Orange is The New Black’ (Netflix), ‘The Blacklist’ (NBC), ‘Deception’ (ABC). Recent NY theatre credits include: a staged reading of 'Oh Dad, Poor Dad' directed by Frank Langella (Roundabout Theatre), The Motherf*cker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Gloria Maddox Theatre), Contigo by Paola Lazaro Munoz (Signature Theatre).
Instagram: @TheRobbyRamos
Twitter: @TheRobbyRamos

CAST AND CREW

Mariana Mondragon as Cipriana 

Robby Ramos as the voices of Santero and Manager 

Orestes Matacena as the voice of Orestes 

Roberto Escobar as the voice of American Movie Director 

Michael Julian as the voice of Tony 

Victoria Collado as the voice of Norma   

Director of Photography: Karen D. Morales 

Assistant Director: Michael Julian 

Sound Design: Abigail J. Nover 

Editor: Michael Julian 

Camera Operator: Ivania Rodriguez 

Audio Mixer/Engineer: Alex “BT” Bonilla

How to get a Degree in Rubenology

The legendary Ruben Rabasa (who Andy Garcia called “La Gloria de Cuba” and millennials recognize as “Focus Group Man”) takes the wheel of his own virtual limited series to tell us about the wild ride of his life – all 82 years of it and counting.

episodes.

guanajo guantanamera

4. a greek comedy. No Tragedy. No Comedy. You decide.

2. my delorean wrangler

5. Earning my badge

3. alchemy like buttah)

6. the mothership

CREATIVE TEAM

RUBEN RABASA

VANESSA GARCIA

VICTORIA COLLADO

PRODUCERS

ABRE CAMINO COLLECTIVE

MAGIC CITY MEDIA CO.

ROBBY RAMOS

CAST AND CREW