La Jolla Playhouse Blog

Each week, The Artist’s Journey will provide an insider look at the creation of a production, from first rehearsal to opening night, through the eyes of one of the show’s key players.

Adrian Roberts is playing Commander Osembenga in Ruined. His credits include Tough Titty (Magic Theatre); Playboy of the West Indies (Lincoln Center Theatre); Top Dog Under Dog (Sacramento Theatre Co.); First Person Shooter (San Francisco Playhouse) and A Raisin in the Sun (Huntington Theatre Co.).

Adrian Roberts

Greetings from the Congo,

We have been in rehearsal now for two weeks. It has been both inspiring and challenging. The cast and stage management staff have immersed ourselves in the world of this play. From doing choreography with Randy Duncan to dialect work with Robert Barry Fleming we have begun forming our piece. The work has been fantastic and everyone is digging deep, but we have just begun to scratch the tip of the iceberg. Liesl has created and environment that is both challenging and fun to explore and play in. Again I cannot stress enough by doing this kind of work and living in the culture I am struck by how we are all connected this story belongs to everybody. Until next time.

Best regards,

– Adrian

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” – B. Marley