PUFFS, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic
by Matt Cox
by Matt Cox
“Puffs (Two Act Edition)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Originally Produced Off Broadway by Tilted Windmills Theatricals
(John Arthur Pinckard / David Carpenter)
PUFFS was Developed in Part During a Residency with the University of Florida
School of Theatre + Dance, Jerry Dickey, School Director
Originally Produced Off-Off Broadway by Stephen Stout and Colin Waitt
THE CAST AND CREW
NARRATOR......................................................................... Maegan Durinzi
WAYNE HOPKINS........................................................... Colton Root
MEGAN JONES ................................................................ Riley Graham
OLIVER RIVERS ............................................................... Cameron Cabral
CEDRIC/VOLDY ............................................................... Lissi Strom
ERNIE MAC/2ND HEADMASTER POTIONS TEACH/
PROFESSOR TURBAN/LOCKY/MR. NICK/
SAL/DEATH BUDDY ...................................................... Nicholas Egan
HANNAH/1ST HEADMASTER/XAVIA JONES/
PROFESSOR MCG/LANNY, RUNES,
BABBLE TEACH ............................................................... Dana Zolla
J. FINCH/ZACK SMITH/UNCLE DAVE/FAT FRIAR/
GOYLE/CLUMSY LONGBOTTOM ............................. Sean Orenstein
LEANNE/HELGA/FRENCHIE/GINNY/
HERMIONE #3 ................................................................... Hannah Yax
SALLY PERKS/BLONDO MALFOY/BIPPY/
HERIONE #1/ROWENA/RITA SCOOTER/
DRAGON/NURSE ............................................................. Kristy Kolowith
SUSIE BONES/HARRY/MYRTLE/COLIN/
RIC GRIFF/SCORPY .......................................................... Liv Doura
A VERY TALL MAN/GHOST HISTORY TEACH/SEAMUS/
PROFESSOR SPROUTY/SPORTS GUY/HERMIONE #2/
VIKTOR/REAL MR. MOODY/MR. BAGMAN/
BLOOD BOOGY DJ/DEATH BUDDY #1 ................ James Mayer
Director: Lacey Knispel
Technical Director: Norbert Serres
Student Director: Maegan Durinzi
Stage Manager: Mia Scneider
Assistant Stage Manager: Rupie Keil
Hair and Costume Design: Dana Zolla
Hair and Makeup Assistant: Natalia Aguirre
Properties Manager: Alexandria Maulfair
Assistant Properties: Alexandra Cerini
Sound: Kara Ashby, Siobhan Boyle
Music/Sound Effects: Anja Schwarzbauer
Lights: Riley Jenkins
Spot Operator: Rachel Dan
Head Dresser: Maria Gaby Urbina
Crew: Jade McCobb-Pratt, Alex Cole, Sophia Nunez, Abby Shoemaker, Kasey Morgan
House Manager: Ashlyn Russo
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
COLTON ROOT (Wayne, senior) is President of the Drama program at Sarasota High School. He first appeared in SHS Theatre’s 2018 production of Radium Girls. Since then, Colton has appeared in shows such as Beauty and the Beast and White Christmas. He would like to thank his friends and family for their ongoing support.
ELISABETH STROM (Cedric/Voldy, senior) has been a part of this program since her freshman year. She has been a part of many shows here at SHS including Annie, Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and Mamma Mia. She has had a great time playing Cedric/Mr. Voldy in Puffs. She would like to thank this program for all the opportunities it has offered her throughout her high school career. She will always remember the laughs and memories she had and carry them with her for the rest of her life.
MAEGAN DURINZI (Narrator, senior) has been performing with the Sarasota High School Theatre department for four years. She has been seen in Safe Keeping, Annie, Radium Girls (Mrs. Fryer), Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and if not for the pandemic, Mamma Mia! (Rosie Mulligan), and recently, The Last Broadcast (Ms. Kessler). She is grateful for the opportunity of being student director of both Puffs and The Last Broadcast. She is thankful for this wonderful cast and crew, and she would also like to thank Ms. K and Ms. D for opening up the world of theatre to her. She thanks her family, friends, and her trusted viola and water bottle for being by her side. Last but not least, she wishes for a phenomenal last show!
RILEY GRAHAM (Megan Jones, senior) is so excited for her senior year fall show. She has worked very hard through her many years at SHS (she’s been involved in SHS theatre since she was 8 years old) and is so excited to be a part of this show. Some of her favorite roles include Tessie in Annie, a Silly Girl in Beauty And The Beast, and a fairy in Peter Pan. She would like to thank her mom for all her help through the years and her best friends being there for her, especially Colton.
MIA SCHNEIDER (Stage Manager, junior) has been working with the Sarasota High Theatre department for two years. She was a member of the crew in White Christmas (along with her big debut as the announcer for Miss Elizabeth Hanes) and is now our stage manager. She stage managed for the last show, The Last Broadcast. She says thank you to Rupie, her beloved assistant and other half, for keeping her sane, in addition to Monster EnergyTM.
CAMERON CABRAL (Oliver, junior) is thrilled to be in his fourth Sarasota High School Theatre Performance! Cameron has also been seen in Sarasota High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere) and White Christmas (Phil). He was also in Rise Above’s production of School of Rock (Ned Schneebly), West Side Story (Action), and Carrie (Tommy). He is thrilled to be in another performance with everyone, and he would also like to thank his family, friends, directors and Pipa von Kessel for all of their support. Break a leg everybody!
KRISTY KOLOWITH (Sally, junior) has recently been seen in Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, and White Christmas. She would like to thank her parents for their support, and Ms. K for being a wonderful director.
DANA ZOLLA (Hannah, junior) is in her third year in the theatre program. Dana has been in Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, Mamma Mia, The Last Broadcast, and now Puffs! In these shows, Dana has been in the ensemble and/or designed and helped out with the hair, make-up, costumes and choreography. Dana would like to thank her family for always being supportive with whatever she does. Enjoy the show!
SEAN ORENSTEIN (J Finch, sophomore) has previously been seen as Frankie Hernandez in The Last Broadcast at SHS and Big Deal in West Side Story at Rise Above Performing Arts. He is thrilled to play J Finch in Puffs.
JAMES MAYER (Various Roles, freshman) was last seen playing Melvin in SHS Theatre’s original production The Last Broadcast. He also played George Banks in Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences production of Mary Poppins.
HANNAH YAX (Leanne, junior) is ecstatic to be part of Puffs. As a junior, she is no stranger to the theatre program. She loved being Babette in Beauty and the Beast, and her most recent show was White Christmas. Hannah feels grateful for the opportunity to perform again despite the restrictions of the pandemic, and hopes everyone enjoys this show as much as she does.
NICHOLAS EGAN (Ernie Mac, junior) was last seen playing Walter in SHS Theatre’s original production, The Last Broadcast. Previous shows include Mamma Mia, White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, and Radium Girls.
LIV DOURA (Susie Bones, sophomore) is a sophomore at Sarasota High School and Puffs her first production with the school. She plays a certain special wizard boy and Susie Bones in the play. She’s also on the Mysticals Dance Company competition team and is a member of the AICE program here at Sarasota High. She’d like to thank her mother and her friends for supporting her in her preforming arts aspirations and coming to the shows.
ANJA SHWARTZBAUER (Music/Sound Effects, sophomore) is thrilled to be crewing her first show! You may have seen her recently as Janet in the Theatre Program’s winter show The Last Broadcast. She feels beyond thankful to be working alongside such talented peers and mentors while rehearsing this hilarious show. Shout-out to Ron Mop who is NOT the worst member of his family.
KARA ASHBY (Production Manager, junior) is extremely excited to be involved in Puffs! Kara is the production manager as well as a member of the sound team. Although she is usually seen on the stage, Kara is grateful for this opportunity to explore a different aspect of theatre! Kara is also a member of Improv Underground and The One-Nine. She would like to thank Ms. K for all of the opportunities that she as offered as well as keeping theatre alive during this time.
THANK YOUS
The cast and crew of "Puffs" would like to thank their peers who worked tirelessly the past few months to assist with the design and production of this show. Thank you to the stagecraft class and others who helped with the set, and Mr. Kolowith, Mr. Ashby and Mr. Boyle for building it. We are especially grateful for the artistry and excellence that the stagecraft class brought to the design and construction of all of the custom props in the show (there are so many!) Thank you Mr. Serres for helping us bring our lighting designs to life and for teaching a whole new tech team how to do lights and sound. Thank you to the boosters for all of the support. We would never be able to do this without Mrs. Graham and her never ending devotion to this program- thank you for everything! Finally, thank you to our administration team for allowing us to practice and perform safe theatre this year. We are so thankful for these experiences we've been able to share even in these strange Covid times.
"The Last Broadcast" will be recorded for archival purposes on Wednesday, March 10, thanks to Melissa Dweck and Brad Scully, and the talented TV production students. Please check out Knack for That Productions on YouTube and at http://knackforthatproductions.com/.
A Note From the Director:
Directors notes are always so difficult for me to write, and this year is no different. This week marks one year since we all went on spring break, not knowing we wouldn't be back until September. Producing Mamma Mia was always a dream of our program, and it was a heartbreaking loss felt by so many students, families, and staff when we didn't get to bring the project to its' completion.
Of course we had no idea that there would be other kinds of unimaginable losses to follow. In the grand scheme of things, losing a show might not be as bad as it felt. But this year, the importance of theatre and art in education has only been magnified, and it is so apparent that theatre makes the world a brighter place, an easier place for many of us to exist in, and it keeps so many of us healthy, happy, and alive.
The first thing I'd like to acknowledge in this note is just how blessed I feel to have been allowed to produce theatre this year, and how honored I am to be able to direct and teach these young artists. Thank you to our administration for supporting and trusting us to provide safe and meaningful experiences for our kids. This play has been on my wish list for a long time and directing it has been a dream, and more. I have never laughed so much at rehearsal before, and I feel so lucky because I get to do it every day. Not only that, but through the silliness and "schtick" there are some truly tender lessons to be learned throughout the story of our loveable yet underappreciated Puffs.
At the surface, the Puffs can seem like zany personalities, even caricatures, but deep down, these characters are real people that a lot of us can identify with. One of the lessons I hope to pass on to our student actors is that we are stewards of every character we play, and they deserve to be honored and played honestly. I hope you can find a little bit of yourselves in these characters too.
Speaking of zany characters, did you know some of our actors are playing up to TWELVE different characters tonight? You'll notice "costume changes" that may just be a set of glasses here, or a hat there, an accent change, or a cape swished to the back. We hope you can allow yourself to suspend your disbelief tonight and let yourself get swept up in our fast paced adventure!
I'd like to leave you with a quote from the Headmaster that I feel really sums up the heart of "Puffs":
"It is very easy to feel like you're only a secondary character in someone else's grand story. That does not mean, however, there isn't another story out there that's all about you. The one where you're the most important person in the world. The hero. We're all important, Wayne. And we're all unimportant. We're all heroes in some way. To someone."
Thank you for being here and supporting our student theatre artists. Please enjoy Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic!
www.concordtheatricals.com
Originally Produced Off Broadway by Tilted Windmills Theatricals
(John Arthur Pinckard / David Carpenter)
PUFFS was Developed in Part During a Residency with the University of Florida
School of Theatre + Dance, Jerry Dickey, School Director
Originally Produced Off-Off Broadway by Stephen Stout and Colin Waitt
THE CAST AND CREW
NARRATOR......................................................................... Maegan Durinzi
WAYNE HOPKINS........................................................... Colton Root
MEGAN JONES ................................................................ Riley Graham
OLIVER RIVERS ............................................................... Cameron Cabral
CEDRIC/VOLDY ............................................................... Lissi Strom
ERNIE MAC/2ND HEADMASTER POTIONS TEACH/
PROFESSOR TURBAN/LOCKY/MR. NICK/
SAL/DEATH BUDDY ...................................................... Nicholas Egan
HANNAH/1ST HEADMASTER/XAVIA JONES/
PROFESSOR MCG/LANNY, RUNES,
BABBLE TEACH ............................................................... Dana Zolla
J. FINCH/ZACK SMITH/UNCLE DAVE/FAT FRIAR/
GOYLE/CLUMSY LONGBOTTOM ............................. Sean Orenstein
LEANNE/HELGA/FRENCHIE/GINNY/
HERMIONE #3 ................................................................... Hannah Yax
SALLY PERKS/BLONDO MALFOY/BIPPY/
HERIONE #1/ROWENA/RITA SCOOTER/
DRAGON/NURSE ............................................................. Kristy Kolowith
SUSIE BONES/HARRY/MYRTLE/COLIN/
RIC GRIFF/SCORPY .......................................................... Liv Doura
A VERY TALL MAN/GHOST HISTORY TEACH/SEAMUS/
PROFESSOR SPROUTY/SPORTS GUY/HERMIONE #2/
VIKTOR/REAL MR. MOODY/MR. BAGMAN/
BLOOD BOOGY DJ/DEATH BUDDY #1 ................ James Mayer
Director: Lacey Knispel
Technical Director: Norbert Serres
Student Director: Maegan Durinzi
Stage Manager: Mia Scneider
Assistant Stage Manager: Rupie Keil
Hair and Costume Design: Dana Zolla
Hair and Makeup Assistant: Natalia Aguirre
Properties Manager: Alexandria Maulfair
Assistant Properties: Alexandra Cerini
Sound: Kara Ashby, Siobhan Boyle
Music/Sound Effects: Anja Schwarzbauer
Lights: Riley Jenkins
Spot Operator: Rachel Dan
Head Dresser: Maria Gaby Urbina
Crew: Jade McCobb-Pratt, Alex Cole, Sophia Nunez, Abby Shoemaker, Kasey Morgan
House Manager: Ashlyn Russo
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
COLTON ROOT (Wayne, senior) is President of the Drama program at Sarasota High School. He first appeared in SHS Theatre’s 2018 production of Radium Girls. Since then, Colton has appeared in shows such as Beauty and the Beast and White Christmas. He would like to thank his friends and family for their ongoing support.
ELISABETH STROM (Cedric/Voldy, senior) has been a part of this program since her freshman year. She has been a part of many shows here at SHS including Annie, Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and Mamma Mia. She has had a great time playing Cedric/Mr. Voldy in Puffs. She would like to thank this program for all the opportunities it has offered her throughout her high school career. She will always remember the laughs and memories she had and carry them with her for the rest of her life.
MAEGAN DURINZI (Narrator, senior) has been performing with the Sarasota High School Theatre department for four years. She has been seen in Safe Keeping, Annie, Radium Girls (Mrs. Fryer), Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and if not for the pandemic, Mamma Mia! (Rosie Mulligan), and recently, The Last Broadcast (Ms. Kessler). She is grateful for the opportunity of being student director of both Puffs and The Last Broadcast. She is thankful for this wonderful cast and crew, and she would also like to thank Ms. K and Ms. D for opening up the world of theatre to her. She thanks her family, friends, and her trusted viola and water bottle for being by her side. Last but not least, she wishes for a phenomenal last show!
RILEY GRAHAM (Megan Jones, senior) is so excited for her senior year fall show. She has worked very hard through her many years at SHS (she’s been involved in SHS theatre since she was 8 years old) and is so excited to be a part of this show. Some of her favorite roles include Tessie in Annie, a Silly Girl in Beauty And The Beast, and a fairy in Peter Pan. She would like to thank her mom for all her help through the years and her best friends being there for her, especially Colton.
MIA SCHNEIDER (Stage Manager, junior) has been working with the Sarasota High Theatre department for two years. She was a member of the crew in White Christmas (along with her big debut as the announcer for Miss Elizabeth Hanes) and is now our stage manager. She stage managed for the last show, The Last Broadcast. She says thank you to Rupie, her beloved assistant and other half, for keeping her sane, in addition to Monster EnergyTM.
CAMERON CABRAL (Oliver, junior) is thrilled to be in his fourth Sarasota High School Theatre Performance! Cameron has also been seen in Sarasota High School’s production of Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere) and White Christmas (Phil). He was also in Rise Above’s production of School of Rock (Ned Schneebly), West Side Story (Action), and Carrie (Tommy). He is thrilled to be in another performance with everyone, and he would also like to thank his family, friends, directors and Pipa von Kessel for all of their support. Break a leg everybody!
KRISTY KOLOWITH (Sally, junior) has recently been seen in Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, and White Christmas. She would like to thank her parents for their support, and Ms. K for being a wonderful director.
DANA ZOLLA (Hannah, junior) is in her third year in the theatre program. Dana has been in Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, Mamma Mia, The Last Broadcast, and now Puffs! In these shows, Dana has been in the ensemble and/or designed and helped out with the hair, make-up, costumes and choreography. Dana would like to thank her family for always being supportive with whatever she does. Enjoy the show!
SEAN ORENSTEIN (J Finch, sophomore) has previously been seen as Frankie Hernandez in The Last Broadcast at SHS and Big Deal in West Side Story at Rise Above Performing Arts. He is thrilled to play J Finch in Puffs.
JAMES MAYER (Various Roles, freshman) was last seen playing Melvin in SHS Theatre’s original production The Last Broadcast. He also played George Banks in Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences production of Mary Poppins.
HANNAH YAX (Leanne, junior) is ecstatic to be part of Puffs. As a junior, she is no stranger to the theatre program. She loved being Babette in Beauty and the Beast, and her most recent show was White Christmas. Hannah feels grateful for the opportunity to perform again despite the restrictions of the pandemic, and hopes everyone enjoys this show as much as she does.
NICHOLAS EGAN (Ernie Mac, junior) was last seen playing Walter in SHS Theatre’s original production, The Last Broadcast. Previous shows include Mamma Mia, White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, and Radium Girls.
LIV DOURA (Susie Bones, sophomore) is a sophomore at Sarasota High School and Puffs her first production with the school. She plays a certain special wizard boy and Susie Bones in the play. She’s also on the Mysticals Dance Company competition team and is a member of the AICE program here at Sarasota High. She’d like to thank her mother and her friends for supporting her in her preforming arts aspirations and coming to the shows.
ANJA SHWARTZBAUER (Music/Sound Effects, sophomore) is thrilled to be crewing her first show! You may have seen her recently as Janet in the Theatre Program’s winter show The Last Broadcast. She feels beyond thankful to be working alongside such talented peers and mentors while rehearsing this hilarious show. Shout-out to Ron Mop who is NOT the worst member of his family.
KARA ASHBY (Production Manager, junior) is extremely excited to be involved in Puffs! Kara is the production manager as well as a member of the sound team. Although she is usually seen on the stage, Kara is grateful for this opportunity to explore a different aspect of theatre! Kara is also a member of Improv Underground and The One-Nine. She would like to thank Ms. K for all of the opportunities that she as offered as well as keeping theatre alive during this time.
THANK YOUS
The cast and crew of "Puffs" would like to thank their peers who worked tirelessly the past few months to assist with the design and production of this show. Thank you to the stagecraft class and others who helped with the set, and Mr. Kolowith, Mr. Ashby and Mr. Boyle for building it. We are especially grateful for the artistry and excellence that the stagecraft class brought to the design and construction of all of the custom props in the show (there are so many!) Thank you Mr. Serres for helping us bring our lighting designs to life and for teaching a whole new tech team how to do lights and sound. Thank you to the boosters for all of the support. We would never be able to do this without Mrs. Graham and her never ending devotion to this program- thank you for everything! Finally, thank you to our administration team for allowing us to practice and perform safe theatre this year. We are so thankful for these experiences we've been able to share even in these strange Covid times.
"The Last Broadcast" will be recorded for archival purposes on Wednesday, March 10, thanks to Melissa Dweck and Brad Scully, and the talented TV production students. Please check out Knack for That Productions on YouTube and at http://knackforthatproductions.com/.
A Note From the Director:
Directors notes are always so difficult for me to write, and this year is no different. This week marks one year since we all went on spring break, not knowing we wouldn't be back until September. Producing Mamma Mia was always a dream of our program, and it was a heartbreaking loss felt by so many students, families, and staff when we didn't get to bring the project to its' completion.
Of course we had no idea that there would be other kinds of unimaginable losses to follow. In the grand scheme of things, losing a show might not be as bad as it felt. But this year, the importance of theatre and art in education has only been magnified, and it is so apparent that theatre makes the world a brighter place, an easier place for many of us to exist in, and it keeps so many of us healthy, happy, and alive.
The first thing I'd like to acknowledge in this note is just how blessed I feel to have been allowed to produce theatre this year, and how honored I am to be able to direct and teach these young artists. Thank you to our administration for supporting and trusting us to provide safe and meaningful experiences for our kids. This play has been on my wish list for a long time and directing it has been a dream, and more. I have never laughed so much at rehearsal before, and I feel so lucky because I get to do it every day. Not only that, but through the silliness and "schtick" there are some truly tender lessons to be learned throughout the story of our loveable yet underappreciated Puffs.
At the surface, the Puffs can seem like zany personalities, even caricatures, but deep down, these characters are real people that a lot of us can identify with. One of the lessons I hope to pass on to our student actors is that we are stewards of every character we play, and they deserve to be honored and played honestly. I hope you can find a little bit of yourselves in these characters too.
Speaking of zany characters, did you know some of our actors are playing up to TWELVE different characters tonight? You'll notice "costume changes" that may just be a set of glasses here, or a hat there, an accent change, or a cape swished to the back. We hope you can allow yourself to suspend your disbelief tonight and let yourself get swept up in our fast paced adventure!
I'd like to leave you with a quote from the Headmaster that I feel really sums up the heart of "Puffs":
"It is very easy to feel like you're only a secondary character in someone else's grand story. That does not mean, however, there isn't another story out there that's all about you. The one where you're the most important person in the world. The hero. We're all important, Wayne. And we're all unimportant. We're all heroes in some way. To someone."
Thank you for being here and supporting our student theatre artists. Please enjoy Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic!