Samantha Ginn’s acting bucket list

I’m asking veteran local actors to name five dream roles and say why. The answers not only reveal aspirations, they may put an idea in the minds of artistic directors and producers — even choices that may seem outside the box.

Craig Noel Award-winner Samantha Ginn

1.) Fanny Brice, Funny Girl, book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne. “Barbra Streisand’s performance in Funny Girl inspired me to do theater — so determined, hilarious, and touching all at once! I wanted to be Fanny Brice so bad when I was 10 years old I’d get off my fanny, put my skates on and roll around the house singing ‘I’d Rather Be Blue’. That part paved the way for many female comediennes. It was monumental in my life and I’d be thankful to tell her story one day.”

2.) Barbara Weston, August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts. “One of the juiciest female roles I’ve ever read or seen on stage. Barbara is going through so much pain and sadness and yet she’s heartbreakingly funny at the same time. I know I’m too young to play her right now, but one day I will. What actress wouldn’t love to say the words, ‘Eat your fish, bitch!’”

3.) Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare. “I’m a very physical actor and would love to jump, frog leap, and sashay all over the stage as Puck. I’m also attracted to roles that can still work if you switch the gender. Puck’s a sprite and a trickster. I’m a 30-year-old woman who still puts Whoopee cushions under people. It’s a part I can resonate with.”

4.) Maureen Folan, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, by Martin McDonagh. “10 years ago I read this play, and 10 years from now I will BE in this play! Not only is McDonagh one of my favorite playwrights, but I absolutely fell in love with theater all over again after I read it. Maureen suffers from mental illness, an important topic I would like to study. I also have a deep infatuation for plays set in Ireland. It’s a spiritual land for me. I’m traveling there this summer to discover more about myself and the country. I will pour out some of my Guinness for you, San Diego.”

5.) Annie Sullivan, The Miracle Worker, by William Gibson. “I’m lucky in the sense that I have two great passions in this life. During the day I have the privilege to teach preschoolers with special needs. At night I get to be a storyteller. I often fantasize about bringing both worlds together. Annie Sullivan taught Hellen Keller, who was blind and deaf, and embodies everything I believe in as an educator: so attuned, persistent, and compassionate. I think about Annie’s methods often in my line of work. How can I help each child communicate? That’s all anybody really needs in this world: to be loved and to be heard.”

“Phew! That was hard! I’m sweating and I have no nails left. But I DID IT. Seriously, any opportunity to be on stage is Kismet. There are no small roles, only small actors. Especially Frodo.”