Bio
Ricky Abilez (they/he) is a Queer, Latine artist, educator, and activist with a BFA in acting from California State University, Fullerton. They've worked consistently in regional musical theatre including productions with Tony award-winning South Coast Repertory and Denver Center for the Performing Arts, as well as Rogue Artists Ensemble, Coeurage Ensemble, MainStreet Theatre Company, and The Second City Hollywood, where they spent nearly two years in the cast of More Guns! A New Musical Comedy.
They trained extensively with Russian master acting teacher Svetlana Efremova (The Americans, Spinning Out) and vocally with recording artist Terron Brooks (The Temptations). They also worked closely with playwright Prince Gomolvilas and author Scott Heim to produce Mysterious Skin, the stage adaptation of Heim’s acclaimed novel, where they starred as Neil McCormick. Most recently, they starred in Wanna Go Camping? - an official Queer film selection at LA ScreamFest, LA Queer Film Festival, Portland Horror Film Festival, New Fest, and Seattle Queer Film Festival. The film is currently an art installation in Seattle at the Museum of Pop Culture.
When they're not acting, Ricky teaches at California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley, where they offer classes in acting, improvisation, and production design. They also teach a self-developed high school curriculum in using art for social justice. Ricky currently serves as the executive assistant to CEO Marissa Herrera at De Mi Alma Productions (where they're currently working on Symphonies for Youth with LA Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall). They previously worked for Deviant Content (where they served LGBTQIA+ historian, New York Times best-selling author, and Pulitzer prize finalist Dr. Eric Cervini).
Ricky is an MPA candidate at the University of Colorado Denver with concentrations in education policy and policy analysis. They won the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award in 2022 for excellence in the arts, education, and public affairs. They are the grandchild of former Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod.
News
Denver Center's A Christmas Carol
December 2021
Ricky has just returned from a three month engagement at Denver Center for the Performing Arts! Where they portrayed the role of Peter Cratchit.
"Wanna Go Camping"
October 5, 2020
Ricky will be starring in the upcoming indie horror short "Wanna Go Camping?"
Written and directed by Zach Siegel, the film follows a gay couple on their first trip together. It is a compelling exploration of our basic instincts and impulses. More info coming soon.
Voyage LA
February 5, 2020
Ricky was recently featured in Voyage LA, a local magazine. Click on the picture to view the article!
LA Scream Fest
October 2021
Wanna Go Camping? finished 2021 with a successful screening at the LA Scream Fest! Other screenings include Seattle Queer Film Festival, Portland Horror Film Festival, and New York's LGBTQ+ Film Festival
New Single
November 13, 2020
New single - "Purpose" - is out now on all music streaming platforms! Produced by Lewo, post-produced by Michael O'Konis, and written by Ricky Abilez. Cover art by Presley A. Cobble.
She Loves Me
December 1, 2019
Ricky will appear as Arpad in She Loves Me on The Segerstrom Stage at South Coast Repertory - Directed by David Ivers! January 25 - February 22! Purchase tickets by clicking on the picture below.
Headshots
Resume
Contact
SANDRA BERNATH PAROD
323-920-5848
Theatre
STEVEN DRY
Film/TV
STEVE WALKER
1680 Vine St., Suite 916
Los Angeles, CA 90028
