“Puffs” cast and crew bewitches audience
Although most people assume that a “certain school of magic and magic” is located in Scotland, there is an alternate location for this school. The Hillcrest Center for the Arts and the cast of “Puffs” brought to life a fantastical journey over seven years, produced by the organization TRANScend Youth. The stage play, “Puffs,” or “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” is a parody of Harry Potter written by Matt Cox and first performed off Broadway.
Cedric and Mr. Voldy, two strikingly different characters, were brought to life by Taylor Welch. Auditioning for the show after a hiatus from theatre, Welch was enthusiastic to re-enter the world of live performing. “Once I saw that they were doing a play that wasn’t for 18 and younger, I got so excited…because acting is one of my favorite things to do, and not having done it in such a long time, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back in the theater realm, definitely,” Welch said. She enjoyed rehearsing each scene in sometimes a non-chronological order, in order to develop her two characters. “I think sometimes it can get boring when you do everything in order. And if you do things like the last scenes before you do the first scenes, it gives you good insight onto what you’re building up to,” Welch said.
As the founder of the non-profit organization, TRANScend Youth, Teddy Skye Garcia helped produce “Puffs.” Garcia’s group chose to produce this play in particular for many different reasons. “Puffs specifically is a really wonderful show about coming of age and identity and how we sort of see ourselves and fit into groups,” Garcia said. As a producer, Garcia took on many roles. He was heavily involved in the casting process and also brought his previous experience as an actor to the table. Ultimately, whether Garcia is involved with his organization as a producer, fundraiser, or performer, he always maintains the same goal. “I really wanted queer youth, especially queer youth in the arts, to have a space and a voice and a platform and a group that advocates for them,” Garcia said.
Lindsay Burton, who portrayed Leanne/Ginny, is theatrical at heart and particularly enjoys the comedic side of performing. As a superfan of “Puffs,” Burton saw the show four times in New York. Burton’s affection for “Puffs” inclined her to audition for director Jim Byrnes’ rendition of the play at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Byrnes’ direction of the production enhanced Burton’s performance: “[Byrnes] understands the vision of the show, but also he challenges us as actors to find places where we can let the comedy shine,” Burton said. Though goofiness and chaos is a central component of Puffs, the cast rehearsed for the play with diligence and purpose.
They bonded together over the rehearsal and performance period, embodying the spirit of a true Puff. “I love doing live theater. It’s so important and so rewarding,” Welch said.
