Written by Matt Cox

Directed by Jonah Conner

AUDITIONS: In Person: Monday & Tuesday, December 7th & 8th @ 7:00pm

Pit & Balcony Theatre 805 N. Hamilton, Saginaw 48602

Or by Video Submission by 7pm on Monday, December 7th

AUDITION FORM REQUIRED:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0JoyndKLgFkFoRR0c4-hU18wX4zQ1nGG6ahOgTXGiOR3Qg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Performances January 29th-31st and February 4th-6th 2021

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Pit and Balcony Theatre’s production of “Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at 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

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.

Due to the nature of many actors playing multiple characters, this show is definitely an ensemble show. Please familiarize yourself with the play, and the characters that are very reminiscent of another series of books which...we assume this play is based on. A detailed summary is on the play’s wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffs,_or_Seven_Increasingly_Eventful_Years_at_a_Certain_School_of_Magic_and_Magic

CHARACTERS Wayne Hopkins Oliver Rivers Megan Jones Narrarator Ernie Mac and A Very Tall Man/Seamus/ A Certain Potions Teacher/ Professor Turban/ Ghost History Teacher/ Professor Locky/ Mr. Nick/ Sal/ Second Headmaster/ Real Mr. Moody Hannah and First Headmaster/ Professor McG/ Professor Sproutty/ Xavia Jones/ Professor Lanny/ Runes Teach/ Ms. Babble

J. Finch Fletchley and Uncle Dave/ Goyle/ A Fat Friar/ Clumsy Longbottom/ Hermeoone #3/ Viktor/ Mr. Bagman/ Zach Smith Leanne and Ginny/ Helga/ Frenchy Sally Perks and Hermeoone/ Blondo Malfoy/ Rowena/ Rita Scooter/ Bippy Susie Bones and Harry/ Colin/ Hermeoone #2/ Ric Gryff/ Myrtle Cedric and Mr. Voldy (Death Buddies to be played by all)

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE The following link is the TENTATIVE rehearsal schedule. Please be aware of any

conflicts and be sure to include them when you submit your audition form. https://docs.google.com/document/d/13nXYIzrfwx2Jswzo8Ez6It1UN7vFFco5-hle7UqrmMw/edit?usp=sharing

VIDEO SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS If you prefer to submit an audition video in lieu of a live audition, please follow the instructions below: 1- Please visit www.pitandbalconytheatre.com/get-involved/auditions.html to download the audition packet or contact Deb at office@pitandbalcony.com or 989.754.6587 to have one emailed to you. 2- Please choose one of the monologues and record yourself doing the monologue as either Wayne or the Narrator. Then do the same monologue but as your favorite character from a certain boy wizard series. A Certain Potions Teacher, Voldy, Professor McG… basically anyone whom you can show your impersonation skills, or the ability to make bold choices. Please say whom you are impersonating before doing the monologue for the second time. 3- Record your audition. Set the camera so that your face and body from at least the waist up are clearly visible. Perform as if you are in the theatre - project, enunciate, move intentionally. Please begin your audition by telling us your first and last name. 4- Feel free to erase and re-record. There is no need to feel like you have to send in your first take. Give us your best shot, but only upload ONE VIDEO. If you upload more than once, the video with the earliest timestamp will be the one considered for audition. If you are auditioning for multiple roles, you may record both auditions on the same video. 5- Upload videos, and email them to jonconn37@gmail.com.Label your audition video with your first and last name. 6- Submissions will not be viewed until December 7th. You may be contacted to make adjustments and re-record your audition and upload a new video by December 8th. You will be contacted via phone or email no later than December 9th regarding casting. You will be contacted by phone or email whether you are cast or not.

8- Have fun! We are so excited to be able to move into the upcoming season with you even though it looks and feels a little different. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and effort with us and we look forward to seeing you around the theatre in any capacity this season!

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR In true Puff’s fashion I greet you with a salutary “HI!” Thank you so much for being interested in this show in these crazy times that we are now living in. I hope that this show will not only bring joy to our patrons that come to see it, but laughter and fun for those involved in making this show....magical. Ooof I know. Let’s get something clear straight away: Safety is my number one priority on this show. I want this to be an escape and a great time for those involved in the community, and in order to guarantee that, safety precautions must be put in place. Follow this link for more information in regards to what I, and Pit and Balcony will be taking to ensure your safety: http://www.pitandbalconytheatre.com/images/pdfs/COVID-19_Protocol.pdf In regards to what I’m looking for from auditionees is a definite sense of play. Because so many actors play multiple roles in the matter of minutes, there have to be performers who make clear, bold, and distinct choices. So have fun with it. Also, I am not casting based on AGE, GENDER, ETHNICITY, or ABILITIES. In fact, this show is about the “outcasts” or “those who are different” so it would give me such delight to have a diverse cast in all those aspects. If you cannot get your hands on a script, and really want to see what this whole shebangs about, you can rent the Off-Broadway Live filming of the production. I warn you though, I am not looking for “Off-Broadway Actor so and so’s” interpretation of Mr. Voldy. I’m looking for yours. Be inspired by the film, but try not to steal from it. The link is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07JM5SMTL/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Lastly, these will be cold reads, so please familiarize yourself with the audition sides in this packet. You will be asked to perform one of the monologues. Afterwards you may be asked to read the monologue again, maybe a different monologue, or maybe one of the scenes. Please come ready to play and have fun. Thank you, and I look forward to your audition! Jonah Conner

WAYNE HOPKINS MONOLOGUE

NARRARATOR MONOLOGUE #1

NARRARATOR MONOLOGUE #2

OLIVER RIVERS and WAYNE HOPKINS SCENE

WAYNE, OLIVER, MEGAN, A FAT FRIAR SCENE

A CERTAIN POTIONS TEACHER, PROFESSOR MCG, and PUFFS Scene