An Inside Look: The Servant of Two Masters at New Village Arts
Last week, we went to a performance of The Servant of Two Masters at New Village Arts in Carlsbad, California, directed by AJ Knox. This company has become the most critically acclaimed theatre in North County San Diego. They also have a beautiful mission statement, which is to “create adventurous artistic experiences to awaken the human spirit.”
At a Glance
🗺️ Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
📍 Venue: New Village Arts➝
📅 Dates: 4/13/2019–5/5/2019
🎭 Type of Show: Play
🌐 Language: English
⏰ Runtime: 2.5 hours
About The Servant of Two Masters
The Servant of Two Masters was based on the original Italian commedia dell’arte play by Carlo Goldoni, and it was written by AJ Knox and Samantha Ginn (see below). The play follows the story of Truffaldino, a poor servant who attempts to serve two masters at once in the hopes of receiving double the wages. Samantha Ginn plays the role of Truffaldino in this production, and she is dynamite.
The Servant of Two Masters is a super high intensity show! Jokes spill out of every other line, and you really have to pay attention to catch them all. There’s lots of wittiness, wordplay, and wild physical humor throughout. It was a breath of fresh air to attend a show that’s 100% comedy.
New Village Arts hosts many wonderful initiatives, and a couple of them are taking place during this show. First of all, two of the shows in this run are featuring fundraiser tickets for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And in addition to that, they run a professional training program for young adults with neurodiversity.
In this program, “The Mainstage Players”, the members audition, study, and rehearse their feature roles before stepping onto the stage for their professional theatre debuts. The featured Mainstage Player in The Servant of Two Masters was amazing. You could tell that he absolutely won over the audience.
A Conversation with Samantha Ginn
Samantha Ginn is an actress, stage director, and playwright, as well as the co-writer of the show. She played the lead role of Truffaldino in this production of A Servant of Two Masters.
Theatre Trip: How did you initially get into theatre?
Samantha: Initially, I always thought I was going to be a professional athlete since I was so active. However, I got a knee injury as a young kid and had to quit sports for a while. But it was a blessing in disguise because I ended up auditioning for “Robin Hood” in 5th grade. I was Flagholder #3. And ever since I experienced that rush of being on stage, I was hooked.
Theatre Trip: Truffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters is a very physically demanding role! Can you share any tips with us on how to keep up a high level of energy during a show?
Samantha: Yes, this role is a workout for sure! My tips for sustaining energy for the part is self care. I make sure to get enough rest, drink enough water, meditate on the beach, and do yoga before every show. Oh, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Theatre Trip: Is there a particular role that you would love to play one day?
Samantha: I would love to play Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or Miss Hannigan in “Annie” one day.
“International traveling is very important for the soul” – Samantha Ginn
Theatre Trip: Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Samantha: Before every show I like to stretch on stage and do my vocal warms ups, dance in the dressing room with my fellow cast mates, and then say a prayer in the wings before I enter.
Theatre Trip: What’s next for you?
Samantha: After this show, I plan to rest a lot and catch up with family and friends I’ve been missing. I will also be traveling to Thailand, since I think international traveling is very important for the soul. Also, I will be putting on my director’s cap at New Village Arts in 2020. I’m thrilled to direct The Roommate by Jen Silverman.
About New Village Arts
New Village Arts was founded in 2001 by graduates of the Actors Studio Drama School and has a strong focus on making the performing arts accessible to people of all ages. The theatre supports a variety of educational and community programs, including fellowships, internships, improv and singing classes, and a film club that brings people together for lively discussions about cinema. They also run an initiative called Feeling Good, which explores the effects of performing arts on mental health and wellness.
What to Know Before You Go
The theater is relatively small, so regardless of your seat, you’re never far from the action. If you enjoy smaller theaters where you can really feel connected to the performers, this is part of what makes seeing a show at New Village Arts special
* The featured image is by Daren Scott.
* A special thanks to New Village Arts for inviting us to the show!
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
