In 2003 Govin Ruben was accepted into the Bachelors of Dramatic Arts (Production) course at Victorian College of The Arts, Melbourne. During his time at the VCA Govin majored in the field of lighting design. His designs at the VCA include, ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ directed by James McCaughey, ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ directed by John Bolton, ‘Amaterassu’ directed by Olivia Crang, The VCA School of Dance Graduation Season 1 and 2 2004 with works by Tracie Mitchell, Rochelle Carmichael, Anna Smith, Rebecca Hilton and Phillip Adams, The VCA School of Dance Winter Season 2005 with works by Leigh Warren, Phillip Adams and Neill Adams, ‘4play’ by the School of Puppetry directed by Peter Wilson, ‘The Things You Cannot Know’ directed by Vanessa Pigrum, ‘4 Twins’ directed by Amanda Mouelic, ‘Illumination Bar’ by Ryan Foote and ‘La Fontaine!’ directed by Petr Metasek of the world renowned DRAK Theatre in Prague.
Upon graduating Govin was awarded the Orloff Family Trusts Scholarship for his outstanding achievement whilst at the VCA.
The post university period began with designs for ‘20 Years of the Pants’ produced by The Pants for the 2006 Adelaide Fringe Festival,‘5 to 4’ by the VCA School of Puppetry directed by Peter Wilson, ‘Kissy Kissy’ directed by Daniel Koerner, which also brought Govin Ruben his first nomination at the 2006 Melbourne Greenroom Awards, ‘Aviary’ directed by Louise Morris, ‘Hitchcock & Herrmann’ directed by David Knijnenburg for the 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival, ‘Hatch’ directed by Penelope Bartlau for the 2007 Ishara Puppet Festival in New Dehli, ‘Inhabited Man’ directed by Richard Murphet, and ‘Kissy Kissy’ produced by The Pants and The Black Lung Theatre for the 2007 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Govin Ruben broadened his horizons when he assumed the role of Creative Assistant in on ‘Citrawarna, Colours of Malaysia Month Launch 2007’ directed by Peter Wilson as part of Malaysia’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. Following that Govin was made Head Designer for the ‘Puppet Black Box Space’ at the 2007 Prague Quadrennial 2007 (PQ07). He is currently working as a design assistant to Phil Lethlean on ‘Living Things’ directed by Peter Wilson while designing for the Adelaide based Restless Dance Company’s ‘Safe From Harm’ directed by Ingrid Voorendt.
