Shows Archive - Community Players

The holiday season is my favorite time of year. It has always held a special place in my heart since I was a child. Memories of being surrounded by family and friends celebrating the season, eating homemade Christmas cookies, and decorating the house with my mom are just a few of the ones I try to keep making throughout my life. One of the most special memories though is when as a child my grandfather would dress up as Santa Claus for all the grandkids and our grandmother would read "The night before Christmas" to all of us. This is the first Christmas where they both are gone, which makes it even more bittersweet that I get this opportunity to bring back such a wonderful holiday tradition to Community Players. I know they both would be in the front row singing and clapping along to the amazing production you are seeing today. I hope this show brings you as much joy as I know it would have brought them. I hope you all honor the holiday memories you have by making new wonderful memories. Thank you for allowing Community Players to be a part of making memories with you this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

Praised for its comedy and staging, Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic is a hilarious and magical play by New York-based playwright Matt Cox.

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. Wayne Hopkins is a regular boy who finds out he’s a wizard and goes to the same certain Wizard School where he makes two best friends and has adventures. This perhaps sounds familiar. But, Wayne is sorted as a Puff, and he and the other Puffs simply want to learn how to be wizards and how to get through seven increasingly dangerous years of school.

The lovable characters in this story are “Funny, intelligent, silly, heartwarming, a little worn and slightly ignored.” Ultimately, Puffs is a tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Go Badgers!

We are actively seeking ALL races and ethnicities for ALL roles. In addition, we strongly encourage gender non-conforming, gender fluid, transgender and non-binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with. 5 male identifying, 5 female identifying, and 1 either. Most (except the main trio of Wayne, Oliver and Megan) should be comfortable with a light British accent. All auditioning must be 16 or older and show proof of vaccination.

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. Bold vocal and physical choices are encouraged. Go BIG. This is a ridiculous show. If you feel stupid, you’re doing it right.

Please prepare to read one of the following monologues of your choice. You DO NOT have to memorize it, just be prepared and comfortable with it. Also be ready to read all of the character snippets of the male or female roles you most identify with. There will also be cold readings in groups from the script.

If you have any questions or concerns please email the director at [email protected]

WAYNE HOPKINS (male identifying)
The hero. Totally uncool, but full of charm and heart. Loyal to a tee. Likes comic books and video games, knows nothing about magic or this weird magic world he is now a part of. Best friends with Oliver and Megan.

OLIVER RIVERS (male identifying)
One of the main trio. Incredibly smart and cerebral, he is a math wiz, and proud of it; lovingly a nerd from New Jersey. After ending up at wizarding school, he finds out he isn’t the top of his class, and instead begins a fantastical journey of friendship and even some love, better than any algebra class could ever promise.

MEGAN JONES (female identifying)
One of the main trio. Begins the show by only desiring to live up to her mother’s reputation: a dark wizard currently in Wiz Priz for being such a bad-ass Death Buddy in her youth. Favorite store: Hot Topic. Favorite color: black. Over time, her tough veneer begins to soften, as a budding romance with Oliver becomes apparent.

NARRATOR (any gender)
The narrator of the story. She/he guides us through our entire show of Puffy-ness. British accent. Must be a great storyteller, as she/he must keep the audience engaged and updated on all the goings-on. Can be a bit of a know-it-all, but still relatable and appealing. Comedy skills are a must.

ERNIE MAC (male identifying) 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. (Impressions: Rickman/ Branagh/Gleeson/Whoever played Quirrell in the movie).

HANNAH (female identifying) 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: Shy. Very shy. Female Teachers: Professor McG, Professor Plants, Professor T, Bath Babbles. Adults of all kinds of different personalities. (Maggie Smith impression for McG.)

J. FINCH FLETCHLEY (male identifying) and UNCLE DAVE / GOYLE / A FAT FRIAR / CLUMSY LONGBOTTOM / HERMEOONE #3 / VIKTOR / MR. BAGMAN / ZACH SMITH
Improvisational skills are a plus. Boyish & fun. Chipper and happy except, when his life is in mortal danger.

LEANNE (female identifying) and GINNY / HELGA / FRENCHY
A little distant. A little random. Is possibly a genius or really, really stupid. But has a really strong heart. The Puffiest of the Puffs.

SALLY PERKS (female identifying) and HERMEOONE / BLONDO MALFOY / ROWENA / RITA SCOOTER / BIPPY
Sally: Nice. In year 3, goes through a bit of a growth spurt that attracts the other student’s attention, if you know what I mean. Bippy: A house elf. Devoted. Loyal. Kind of annoying.

SUSIE BONES (female identifying) and HARRY / COLIN / HERMEOONE #2 / RIC GRYFF / MYRTLE
Susie: Sad. Gloomy. Think Eeyore from “Winnie the Pooh.” 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.

CEDRIC (male identifying) 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. (Or, ya know, just an amazing Ralph Fiennes impression.)

The story revolves around a young woman forced into a life of servitude by her cruel stepmother. Ella dreams of a better life; and with the help of her Fairy Godmother, Marie, she is transformed into a strikingly beautiful lady and attends the ball to meet her prince. Not only does she get her happy ending, she also opens the Prince’s eyes to the injustice in the kingdom.

While there have been many mountings of this story both on screen and on stage, the 2013 adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella was the first version with the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein score mounted on Broadway. Notable songs include “In My Own Little Corner,” “The Prince is Giving A Ball,” and “Impossible/It’s Possible.” The new book by Douglas Carter Beane introduces several new characters and features several additions from Rodgers & Hammerstein collection.

Cinderella is a classic fairy tale - there have been hundreds of versions throughout my lifetime and many others before it. It’s easy to dismiss it as “just another princess story.” However, stories like these encourage us to consider our own nature and invite us to consider how we can find new ways to treat others.

When I was a little girl, I devoured the televised version of R&H’s Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. I remember sitting in front of the television on my knees in pure anticipation and joy from the first note played. Actually, Cinderella was one of my first introductions to theatre as it was the very first musical I was ever a part of back in 2007! This sparked my love of storytelling on the stage. R&H’s Cinderella holds a special place in my heart since it was the only production my mom got to see me in before her passing.

I hope each person in the audience identifies and sees someone just like them onstage. Every person deserves the opportunity to see themselves as the “prince,” “princess,” or “ruler” in their own story. I hope your inner child is filled with joy hearing the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein score once again. Cinderella suggests that the magic we seek in our own lives can be found by treating others with kindness.

It has been absolutely healing working with our talented cast and production team to bring this show to life. I hope you will relax and let the magic wash over you for the next few hours. Thank you for joining us!

— Jessa Hendricker