Auditions
(For ages 8 - 18)
Produced and Directed by Andy Diskes
Celebrating 31 years
& 250 productions!
PUFFS: a One-Act Play for Young Wizards
We will be performing the 'one-act for young wizards' version of this hilarious show bout a certain school of magic and magic.
For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.
SUMMARY
The New York Times proclaims PUFFS, “A FAST-PACED ROMP through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.’ For POTTERphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, ‘PUFFS’ exudes a jovial, winking fondness for all things Harry!”
This clever and inventive play “never goes more than a minute without a laugh” (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life). Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.
Puffs is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or play.
Licensed by Concord Theatricals
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Link to Videos about the play!
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Puffs Character Breakdown
(Cross gender casting is a possibility.)
–WAYNE HOPKINS (male)
The hero. Totally uncool, but full of charm and heart. Loyal to a tee. Likes comic books and video games, knows nothing about magic or this weird magic world he is now a part of. Best friends with Oliver and Megan. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–OLIVER RIVERS (male)
One of the main trio. Incredibly smart and cerebral, he is a math wiz, and proud of it; lovingly a nerd from New Jersey. After ending up at wizarding school, he finds out he isn’t the top of his class, and instead begins a fantastical journey of friendship and even some love, better than any algebra class could ever promise. Real comic chops, incredibly appealing, youthful. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–MEGAN JONES (female)
One of the main trio; begins the show by only desiring to live up to her mother’s reputation: a dark wizard currently in Wiz Priz for being such a bad-ass Death Buddy in her youth. Favorite store: Hot Topic. Favorite color: black. Over time, her tough veneer begins to soften, as a budding romance with Oliver becomes apparent. Defiant and headstrong on the surface, the audience begins to see that her adamance of being completely unique and independent really stems from her desire to be loved and accepted. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–NARRATOR (either)
The narrator of the story. She/he guides us through our entire show of Puffy-ness. British accent. Must be a great storyteller, as she/he must keep the audience engaged and updated on all the goings-on. Can be a bit of a know-it-all, but still relatable and appealing. Comedy skills a must, improv background is a plus. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–ERNIE MAC (male) and A VERY TALL MAN / SEAMUS / A CERTAIN POTIONS TEACHER / PROFESSOR TURBAN / GHOST HISTORY TEACH / PROFESSOR LOCKY / MR. NICK / SAL / SECOND HEADMASTER / REAL MR. MOODY
Requires an actor capable of doing strong impressions. Ernie Mac: Proud. Loud. Pretty sure he’s the best. Male Teachers: Potions Teacher/ Locky/ Professor Turban/ Mr. Moody. All impressions. Strong comedic ability. (Impressions: Rickman/ Branagh/Gleeson/Whoever played Quirrell in the movie). Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–HANNAH (female) and FIRST HEADMASTER / PROFESSOR McG / PROFESSOR SPROUTTY / XAVIA JONES / PROFESSOR LANNY / RUNES TEACH / MS. BABBLE
Requires playing several different roles back to back, so the ability to play a variety of character types a plus. Hannah: Shy. Very shy. Female Teachers: Professor McG, Professor Plants, Professor T, Bath Babbles. Adults of all kinds of different personalities. (Maggie Smith impression for McG.) Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–J. FINCH FLETCHLEY (male) and UNCLE DAVE / GOYLE / A FAT FRIAR / CLUMSY LONGBOTTOM / HERMEOONE #3 / VIKTOR / MR. BAGMAN / ZACH SMITH
Improvisational skills a plus. Boyish & fun. Chipper and happy except, when his life is in mortal danger. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–LEANNE (female) and GINNY / HELGA / FRENCHY
A little distant. A little random. Is possibly a genius or really, really stupid. But has a really strong heart. The Puffiest of the Puffs. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–SALLY PERKS (female) and HERMEOONE / BLONDO MALFOY / ROWENA / RITA SCOOTER / BIPPY
Sally: Nice. In year 3, goes through a bit of a growth spurt that attracts the other student’s attention, if you know what I mean. Bippy: A house elf. Devoted. Loyal. Kind of annoying. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–SUSIE BONES (female) and HARRY / COLIN / HERMEOONE #2 / RIC GRYFF / MYRTLE
Susie: Sad. Gloomy. Think Eeyore from “Winnie the Pooh.” Constantly in fear of her or her family dying. Harry: Young, plucky, and famous. Struts around school like he owns it. Gets into a few wacky situations, but it’s nothing the bonds of friendship can’t overcome. Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–CEDRIC (male) and MR. VOLDY
An appealing comic actor to play the pivotal roles of Cedric in Act I and Mr. Voldy in Act II. Cedric: A champion. Athletic, winning, popular, and charming. Everyone’s favorite, but still loyal, patient, and kind. A leading example of a Puff. Mr. Voldy: Evil. Like, reeeaaally evil. Wants to rule the world in shadows and darkness and terror. (Or, ya know, just an amazing Ralph Fiennes impression.) Any ethnicity/cultural background.
–DEATH BUDDIES to be played by all.
What to prepare for auditions:
Bring a monologue or scene of your choice to read. (Show us as many characters/ voices you want. Does not have to be memorized. And show us any specialty talents such as juggling, dancing, or gymnastics you might have. )
Two Casts:
We plan to have two casts in order to offer more opportunities as well as covering the production in case
of illness/emergency.
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REHEARSAL / SHOW INFORMATION:
REHEARSAL / SHOW INFO:
SHOW DATES: April 29 - May 1.
(If double cast, four performances. If not, then two or three.)
REHEARSAL / TECH WEEK / PERFORMANCE Venue:
The Black Box Theater, 22 Foster St., Peabody, MA
(In the rare occasion that the space is not available,
we will rehearse at The Middleton Senior Center or The Black Box.)
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
TUESDAYS: 6pm start
Ending time can be at 8pm, 8:30pm, 9pm and 9:30pm
(Depending upon your role and how late you would like to stay.)
February: 8, 15, 22
March: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April: 5, 12, 19
TECH WEEK(April):
Sat, 23: 1pm - 5:30pm
Sun, 24: 1pm - 5:30pm
Mon, 25: No Rehearsal
Tue, 26: 6pm - 9:30pm
Wed, 27: 5pm - 7:30pm
Thu, 28: 5pm - 7:30pm
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FINANCIAL INFO:
Neverland receives its revenue solely from show fees and ticket sales.
A small amount also on concessions and well-wishes/ads/sponsors.
Update since Covid began:
Since March 2020 we have only been producing about 20 percent of what a normal year would be. We managed to produce Annie while rehearsing (with a several month break) for close to two years.
We also produced small non-musical productions of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland last summer. We have had a few fundraising campaigns.
This production (along with a youth production we will be announcing soon) will help us pay for our fixed costs such as storage, online presence and some other expenses as well as for the rental of the theater and our small staff.
Each cast member is responsible for the following:
SHOW FEE: $250
(Averages to approx $5 an hour to be involved in this production from start to finish. $25 sibling discount per sibling.)
(Reminder show fees are non-refundable.
Show fees are due one week after a role has been offered.)
SELLING TICKETS TO THE SHOW:
Since the majority of the audience comes from family and friends of the cast, we ask that each cast member sell eight tickets to the show.
If for some reason you don't think you will hit that mark, we ask that you make up the difference in sponsorships/ads. We are happy to work with you to make this happen. (Tickets will probably be in the $17 - $20 range .) Thank you.
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How you can help Support Neverland Theatre:
This information was posted last February and March. Here is the info in case anyone you know is interested.
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1. Share this video if you enjoyed it.
Here is our Facebook Event Link
2. Donate:
(Towards end of the video, we state how we will use the funds.)
VENMO: @NeverlandTheatre30
PAYPAL:
Or if you don't have paypal you can use a debit/credit card by using:
MAIL A CHECK:
Please text or email us for mailing address.
CONTACT US:
Cell: 978 500-8832 (You can text us.)
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Facebook Page:
You can also find us on Instagram.
ABOUT NEVERLAND THEATRE:
Neverland is in its 31st year of producing musical and non-musical theatrical productions on the North Shore of Boston.
We have produced 250 productions and have worked with over 5,000 local adults, teens and children from all over The North Shore.
