AUDITION: Puffs

Murdoch Theatre Company presents: PUFFs (Or, Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic)

For seven years a certain boy wizard went to Wizard School. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A play 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!”

Puffs is a play and does not include singing or dancing, so rest those dancing feet and brush up on some magic. Please bring a 1-2 minute comedic monologue for auditions, this does not have to be memorized. We will have a monologue from the script available for cold read. A resume is helpful but not required.

PLEASE BE AWARE that if you are auditioning via a video, you will have to present two 1-2 minute comedic/absurd monologues which show your range.

We are seeking actors of all genders and ethnicities. As we are a university club, we are only able to see auditionees who are 17+.

Rehearsals will run weekly on Thursday evenings and Saturdays, at Murdoch University, and intensives and the shows will run from the 13th to the 19th of April.

Auditions will be held at Studio 411 at Murdoch University, and will run in 20-minute slots on the following days:
Tuesday 28th January, 6pm – 9pm
Thursday 30th January, 1pm – 4pm
Friday 31st January, 1pm – 4pm

To book an audition, please fill out our online audition form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6D5kPukgSvYr8lhFDTIUjeXP-yvfIhu158OMtd_TEgy8zzQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

*Character breakdown*
Narrator
The narrator of our story, tasked with conveying seven eventful years in less than two hours . Speaks with a British accent. Must be an excellent storyteller.

Wayne
A geeky eleven year old orphan whose life is changed when he gets a letter that tells him that wizards are real and (surprise!) he is one, and he gets to go to a special school of magic for boys and girls just like him. Unfortunately, when he arrives, he is placed in the Puffs, which does not seem to be the most popular place to be. Throughout seven years he sets off on a quest to be the hero he thinks he’s destined to be. Does not speak with a British accent.

Megan
A pure badass whose mother once worked for the dark lord. She thinks she’s too cool to be in the Puffs but ends up befriending Wayne and Oliver. She hopes that one day her mother will break out of wizard jail and they can re-unite. Does not speak with a British accent.

Oliver
An eleven year old math savant who discovers that he is a wizard and, to his dismay, they don’t teach math at wizard school. He is not used to being bad at school but he makes fast friends with Wayne and Megan when he is placed in the Puffs. Does not speak with a British Accent.

Cedric
An older student and prefect, Cedric is the closest thing the Puffs have to a rock star. He quickly becomes a mentor for Wayne and the rest of the Puffs. This actor also plays the dark lord himself, Mr. Voldy. Speaks with a British accent.

J Finch. Fletchly
One of Wayne’s fellow classmates. J. Finch is a cheerful lad who describes himself as “boyish and fun.” This actor portrays several different characters as well so versatility is a must. One of these characters is the infamous sports coach Zach Smith. Ideally, Zach Smith improvises a new monologue every show, however, there are suggestions in the script if you are uncomfortable with this. J. Finch will most likely use a British accent but will branch out for other characters.

Ernie Mac
Another Puff, Ernie is cool as a cucumber. At least he tries to be. When things seem to be at their darkest, he tries his best to keep everyone focused on not being too sad. Plays several other characters including a certain potions teacher, a certain professor with a turban, and the totally real not fake Mr. Moody. Ernie Mac will most likely use a British accent but branch out for other characters. Serviceable impersonations of the more familiar characters he plays will be important.

Hannah
While a little slow on the uptake, Hannah is just happy to be here. She does her best to spread her cheer to the rest of her fellow Puffs. Also plays Professor McG, Professor Sprouty and most importantly, Megan’s evil mom Xavia. Most likely speaks with a British Accent and has a serviceable impersonation of the more familiar characters she plays.

Leanne
Raised in a cabin by her grandparents, the kids at magic school are the first other children she’s seen. Earnest and strange in every way, she is constantly in awe of every new thing life sends her way. Also plays Ginny, Helga, and Frenchy. Most likely speaks with a British accent but will bring out her worst French accent for Frenchy.

Sally Perks
Extremely nearsighted, Sally may have trouble seeing but she does know one thing: She goes to this school. In the later years, when hormones rage, she develops a romantic interest in Wayne

DIRECTOR: Stephanie Ferguson
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Andrea Kendrick