...OR SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC AND MAGIC.

“‘Hufflepuffs’ finally get their moment in hilarious Potter play, ‘PUFFS’!”
—Mashable

On Stage June 7 - July 14, 2019

Directed by Richie Akers

Note: This show replaced our originally planned production of High School Musical; if you already purchased tickets, they will be automatically transferred to this show, at the same date/time. For refund or exchange inquiries, please contact richie@givingtreetheater.com - THANK YOU!

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.

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.

Rated PG, suitable for ages 8 and up // Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Auditions

March 9th at 1PM & March 10th at 6PM. Ages 14-20 only, please!
(A select number of actors who participated in Giving Tree’s summer production last year will be cast automatically, but we will still have several roles to fill from those listed below.)

ALL roles will be OPEN at auditions. This is a true “ensemble” show, with all actors needed on stage a majority of the time. Please be prepared to read from the script, and have FUN!

Rehearsals will begin approximately late April, 2019.

Giving Tree will host a free “watch party” of the Broadway production at 7PM on Saturday March 2nd. All those interested in auditioning (or curious about what this show is about, ha!) are encouraged to join us. Doors will open at 6:15PM.

Puffs Character Breakdown
(All playing multiple roles: 5 male, 5 female, 1 either)

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 kind 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.

Your Shopping Cart

Coming Soon

Tiny Beautiful Things

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Legend of Georgia McBride

PUFFS

Newsletter