SIST Auditions: PUFFS, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic

Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company Audition Announcement:

Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic

By Matt Cox

Director: Katlyn Cohen
Assistant Director: Memet Canka

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.

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.

This will be a LIVE show, with in person rehearsals. All actors MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED and provide proof upon entering the audition.

Auditions will take place on Friday, August 5 from 6:00 to 10:00pm, and Saturday, August 6 from 12:00 to 5:00pm, with some callbacks from 5:00 to 9:00pm in The Harbor Room, Building G, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301.

For an audition slot please contact Katlyn Cohen at [email protected]. If interested, you will be sent character monologues to prepare with additional sides to be read at the audition.

Performances will take place in Empire Outlets on Staten Island, right next to the ferry terminal, on the following dates:

Friday, October 21 at 8:00pm
Saturday, October 22 at 8:0pm
Sunday, October 23 at 2:00pm
Friday, October 28 at 8:00pm
Saturday, October 29 at 8:00pm
Sunday, October 30 at 2:00pm

All roles are open. A small stipend will be provided. Actors of all races are encouraged to audition for this project, as we are interested in having a diverse cast. Some roles will be open to actors of any gender.

CHARACTERS

Most actors in Puffs will play several roles, so we are looking for actors who have the ability to quickly switch from one comedic character role to another.


WAYNE HOPKINS: The hero. Totally uncool, but full of charm and heart. Likes comic books and video games, knows nothing about magic or this weird magic world he is now a part of. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

OLIVER RIVERS: An incredibly smart and cerebral math savant from New Jersey. After ending up at wizarding school, he finds out he is no longer at the top of his class. Youthful and innocent. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

MEGAN JONES: Daughter of an evil wizard who thinks she should’ve been placed in the Snakes house. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

NARRATOR: The narrator of the story. British accent. Must be a great storyteller, can be a bit of a know-it-all, but still relatable and appealing. Comedy skills are a must, improv background is a plus. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

ERNIE MAC 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. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

HANNAH 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 is a plus. Hannah: Very shy. Female Teachers: Professor McG, Professor Plants, Professor T, Bath Babbles. Adults of all kinds of different personalities. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

J. FINCH FLETCHLEY 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 and GINNY / HELGA / FRENCHY: A little distant. A little random. Is possibly a genius or really, really stupid. But has a strong heart. The Puffiest of the Puffs. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

SALLY PERKS and HERMEOONE / BLONDO MALFOY / ROWENA / RITA SCOOTER / BIPPY: Sally: Nice but average. No one really notices her until she has a “growth spurt”. Bippy: A house elf. Devoted. Loyal. Kind of annoying. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

SUSIE BONES and HARRY / COLIN / HERMEOONE #2 / RIC GRYFF / MYRTLE: Susie is sad and gloomy. 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 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. Any ethnicity/cultural background.

DEATH BUDDIES to be played by all.