Meet Vincenzo Carubia | Owner Skiptown Playhouse and Singer / Songwriter for Rock Band Lunarcode

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vincenzo Carubia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vincenzo, how does your business help the community?
Skiptown Playhouse is an intimate 36 seat theater that creates a unique experience for creative individuals. Whether you are filming a music video, short film, or doing a live comedy show, we provide a space where you can accomplish your goals.

We started an international film festival which opened up opportunities for filmmakers from all over the world to share their art at any level. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, the film festival is an excellent platform to network and meet like minded individuals in the film industry. Working in the distribution field, (Vincenzo Carubia one of the owners) knew it was a great way to connect filmmakers with opportunities at having their films distributed throughout the world through proper representation. They also welcomed the non-profit “My Friend’s Place” to spread awareness about homeless youth in Los Angeles.

Skiptown also produces musicals and stage events that bring people together. We have a monthly drag show that creates a great fun time for our LGBTQIA+ community and are in the works on creating an Immersive theater show. Our last musical production in 2019 was “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.

People need theater. The arts are a foundation of human expression and understanding. Through the stage we can tell whatever story our Hearts feel compelled too share. Without theater, a very important facet or form of delivery will not exist. This is our communities way to speak from the heart. Share their visions and create experiences. When you think about what carried us all through the pandemic, immediately Netflix and Tik Tok come to mind. People want to be entertained for just a moment to forget whatever troubles that day may have brought. Or maybe it’s simply out of boredom and to get us to just the next thing. Either way, theater is a staple in human existence and should be honored. Quite often theater is pushed to the side and is severely under funded. We are honored to contribute to our community with a space where people can bring their stories to life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Where do I even begin when talking about my art. I’m one of those people where I’ll put something out and there will always be that person that says “My god is there anything you can’t do” .. .the answer .. Yes I suck at marketing!

2020 was a super productive year for me despite the pandemic. I never realized how much of an introvert I really am. Lockdown started and I got right to work. I finished a book that’s currently being illustrated and edited called “The Mare”. I finished my musical screenplay and have attached my line producer. I started making bowties by hand which is a passion of mine. I formed my band with Ronny Minuche (Guitar, composer) and Jason Booth (Drums), and we wrote almost a dozen songs now and have shot two music videos. We will release a total of 4 this year and an EP is due out later in the year. I have 3 feature films in development currently as well as 2 more music videos. Quite the year. The band is called Lunarcode and you can find us on all major platforms for our first single “Heartbreak”. I also am the festival Director for Skiptown Playhouse International Film festival which helps me acquire films for my distribution job at Princ Films. I’m super excited about all of these things.

Getting where I am was not easy and is still not EASY. I moved to Los Angeles with a Yuhaul, towing my car, and literally 30 bucks in my bank account. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t know my way around. It was a very scary time but I had to take the risk. I did not know that I would one day own a theater business, it was not even on my radar. I had a lot of small successes and won some awards for my filmmaking, but the turning point in my career was opening Skiptown Playhouse. When I opened that theater, by fall I had landed my acquisitions job with Princ Films. My theater and me traveling to film festivals around the country was attractive to my boss at the time and I was just really eager to learn from him. I didn’t get the position that I interviewed for, but he saw something in me and offered an opportunity that I jumped on. I then was pushed to start my film festival because that would obviously help me acquire films for my other job so it was like a two birds scenario. Once we started having monthly drag shows, my coworker Ronny showed up with his guitar and I saw him play. I knew in that moment that I wanted to create music with him. That’s when Lunarcode was born. I solidified a tie with my now line producer Judi Bell through my theater and connecting her with my boss and now she’s working on my films with me. Everything is somehow linked together.

In terms of challenges, There are many days where despite all of my personal accomplishments, I have to take a backseat. Running a theater for other creatives and artists to tell THEIR story is not about ME. That’s not the hard part, the hard part comes with running, managing, and maintaining a theater space that people enjoy. I’d be lost without the support and help of my business partners Michelle and Anny. Another challenge is keeping track of everything and now being in a position where I have to say no to people that I care about. I suffer from mild anxiety and panic attacks. My busy work life and high demands of my attention could very well be a factor. I’ve had to learn how to manage that and take care of myself. Make sure I sleep, know when to turn my phone off, and take time to think before I text. Double and triple check yourself. Also being an empath, it’s hard sometimes to separate business and friendships. I tend to get caught up in my emotions and I’ve learned to be better about that. It’s ok to say no and be firm in it. Anyone who loves and respects. you will understand.

What I want people to know about me, is that I genuinely care about people. It may sometimes come across with all of the facets of my career that are growing, that I am self interested. A lot of the things I create, I visualize the people I have around me. I visualize how what I am doing can change lives and how I can inspire. How I can show people that they too have value and the tools they need to inspire others as well. I’m not a very materialistic person. My goal with my businesses is to use my art and expression as a way to create change and enlighten masses. To spread joy. Investing in education and youth arts and enlightenment programs and teaching compassion is a passion and goal of mine for the future. I also am really into Brain science and learning more about how the brain works. To create more unity and a personal understanding that we all belong, we all have purpose, and anyone can achieve greatness. As hard as it may seem.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my god, I suck so hard at this. But I will do my best. OK my best friend is coming into town.

First we’re going to my apartment so they can see where I live and how I live. Being in Hollywood it’s kind of like in the heart of things so I mean, they need to put their crap down right? So here’s my apartment blah blah… then I’ll take them to see the Hollywood sign because duh, and then We could go to the grove and stroll. They’re probably jet lagged so I don’t want to overdue it.

I’ll make sure they see the Griffith Observatory and drive them around mullholland drive so they can see the awesome view. We could take a couple days and go to Catalina because that is INCREDIBLE like life changing. there are so many fun things to do there and you could knock out 2-3 days with that easy. So many good restaurants there and the people are so nice. Rent the electric bikes, 20 bucks an hour and totally worth it.

We’re definitely doing a night in West Hollywood because the LGBTQ community knows how to get down better than anyone. We would do Trunks for some cost friendly drinks that get you a good buzz and then stroll to the Abbey for the music and dancing (when the pandemic lets up that is). The abbey also has really great food.

I would take them to Malibu for a nice day on the beach. One of my other favorite places to go is Abbott Kinney in Venice. Great restaurants and walking shops. Awesome spot.

We would definitely do a movie night at my theater with pizza from Joe’s Pizza in Hollywood. May take them to the laugh factory too. There is also an AWESOME escape room called “The Basement” in Sylmar. I’m sure there’s other random stuff too depending on the person, but Palm Springs is an option, Idylwild if you’re more woodsy, or Santa Barbara for a quick wine tour. All beautiful options.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Number one is my family. Mom, Papa, and Justina my sister. They all contribute so much to the reason why I push so hard to try to create a better life full of opportunities.

My business partners Michelle and Anny who have created this theater with me.

Ronny Minuche who writes so many amazing melodies for me to write my lyrics too. Without him there would be no Lunarcode. He has really unlocked a part of me I didn’t know was there.

I had so many great drama teachers and music teachers throughout my life. Jeffrey DeVincent was the biggest influence on me recognizing my worth as a performer. I had a lot of teachers that often told me I can’t, or I didn’t feel like they really believed in me, however I still stuck with it and thank them as well. Sometimes you need those people to tell you no in life so you have the fire to prove that you are worth the YES.

Website: www.vincenzocarubia.com, www.lunarcodemusic.com, www.Skiptownplayhouse.com

Instagram: @lunarcodemusic , @vincenzocarubia , @skiptownplayhouse

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzo-carubia-8a274925

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lunarcodemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPFVsdIusPejqKcrn-VS34w

Image Credits
IN Step and Repeat Photo (Anny Taormina, Vincenzo Carubia, Michelle Parks) Band Photo (Jason Booth, Ronny Minuche, Vincenzo Carubia) Spelling Bee Cast Photo (The Cast of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Skiptown Playhouse 2019) Other Photos (Vincenzo Carubia)