Current Events: Experience “Puffs” in the Round at IUSB

“…Puffs is full of heart. We set out to create a play, not just a parody. The characters are all fully realized. They go through difficult journeys. They deal with death, personal identity, relationships, and what it means to feel insignificant in the world at large. There may in fact be some tears in the end. Maybe. You don’t have to tell anyone if there are.” – Matt Cox, Playwright

By Natasha O’Hara

The Raclin School of Arts Theatre and Dance Company has brought an incredible world for wizards to campus! Now, as someone who grew up attending Harry Potter conventions but is not a fan of J.K. Rowling, Matt Cox’s 2015 play Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, resonates with me on a deeply personal level. Being that I am in the cast (as the Narrator), I am biased, however, the heart of this comedy captures the essence of fandom, friendship, and the magic of storytelling in a way that feels both nostalgic and exceptionally relatable.

Audience members are transported to the 1990s, a decade filled with, platform sneakers, boy bands, and the boom of the digital age. Something often overlooked about Harry Potter is how deeply rooted the series is into the last decade of the 20th century.  Puffs joyfully celebrates the glory of the ’90s, from the infectious tunes of popular boy bands, to the heartwarming tale of friendship with Free Willy. It’s a nostalgic nod to a time when the biggest dilemma was choosing between VHS tapes or CDs. Puffs not only captures the essence of this iconic decade but also reminds us of the magic of our youth and the power of ’90s pop culture.

Rehearsal photo. Standing is Sophomore Lyla Beard, followed to the right by Junior Jordan Keen, Senior Shanya Osburn, Senior Aaron Smith, Junior Kelly Thomann, Freshman Abigail Moody, Sophomore Taavi Crumbley, and Freshman Mila Kaser.

When you step into Northside’s Upstage theatre, you are stepping into a world where magic meets the mundane. Directed by Justin Amellio-Ashbrook, Puffs follows Wayne Hopkins (played by Senior Bobby Simons), just your average adolescent boy—until he discovers… he’s a wizard! Join him on a hilarious journey to a school in England, where he befriends two companions, Oliver Rivers (played by Sophomore Taavi Crumbley) and Megan Jones (played by senior Shanya Osburn), and embarks on adventures that will have the crowd laughing and cheering along. But here’s the twist: Wayne is no Brave or Smart or Snake; he’s a Puff! 

Rehearsal Photo. L-R: Freshmen Abigail Moody and Mila Kaser, Junior Kelly Thomann, Sophomore Taavi Crumbley, Senior Shanya Osburn, Junior Jordan Keen, and Senior Bobby Simons.

Come along with Wayne and his fellow Puffs as they navigate the ups and downs of wizarding school and the challenges of growing up, all while trying to steer clear of evil wizards and their dastardly schemes. It’s a tale of friendship, bravery, and finding the magic within yourself, even if you’re just a regular kid from small town USA.  

Early Rehearsal Photo. L-R: Sophomore Lila Beard, Junior Kelly Thomann, Senior Shanya Osburn, and Junior Jordan Keen.

PUFFS opens Friday, April 12th at 7:30 pm, then runs for the next two weekends. April 12th, 13th, 19th, and Saturday April 20th all start at 7:30 pm. The Sunday matinees on April 14th and 21st start at 2pm. Puffs is for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!!! Admission is free, but we highly encourage those who can to donate a non-perishable food item per person to help support the IUSB Titans Feeding Titans Food Pantry.

Parking to the Upstage Theatre is located in the lower parking lot on the east side of campus, on the corner of Northside Blvd and 20th street. If you have any questions please contact the IUSB Box Office at 574-520-4203

Recommendation Station: Lisa Frankenstein

This comedic gem will cure your seasonal depression

By Belle Becker

Bleeding Cool

Directed by Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, and written by Diablo Cody (“Juno”), “Lisa Frankenstein” is an 80s-inspired gothic romcom that even horror fans can appreciate. It serves as the junction between the events of the book, Frankenstein, and the real-life experiences of its author, Mary Shelley.

A highschooler named Lisa, still reeling from her mom’s tragic passing, finds herself having to look after a Victorian-era zombie and chaos ensues with an electrifying soundtrack behind it. It can best be described as “Heathers” meets “The Corpse Bride”, so if you like either of those, this one’s for you.

The New York Times

The acting is phenomenal. If you are unsure of watching it because you don’t like one of the actors, please try it. You will be surprised by how well everyone plays their roles. Kathryn Newton is so likeable as Lisa that you can ignore the morally questionable things she does, and Cole Sprouse plays a hilarious zombie guy. Liza Soberano also shines as Lisa’s cheerleader stepsister. On top of this, the writing doesn’t feel like it was done by a 50-year-old man who thinks dad jokes are top-tier comedy.

It’ very rare to come across a comedy that’s actually funny. This movie nailed it—it genuinely made me (and the whole theater) laugh out loud. It’s unserious in the best way possible. It’s simple and it’s weird, which is why it works so well. Overall, this movie is what cinema is supposed to be: fun.

The Ithacan

Behind the Scenes of the Theatre Department’s Fall Musical

Theatre is such a collaborative art form. The audience only sees the performances of the actors; however, an entirely different performance happens backstage, with many moving parts and crew members.

By Natasha O’Hara

Backstage for “I Love You, You’re Perfect…”

Part of being a theatre major means working for the department’s productions that happen throughout the school year. This fall the department is putting on the comedic musical, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. With opening night happening tonight, I thought it would be smart to give a behind the scenes look (literally) of this show, and my production assignment. 

Some backstory of the show, It opened Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in August 1996. The show ran for almost 12 years, closing July 2008. The show’s theme revolves around love and relationships, and doesn’t follow a traditional linear plot. Instead, it has many different characters that show the many forms of dating life from the first date, to marriage, raising children, and everything in-between.

My role in this musical is, Head of Wardrobe, which essentially means I am responsible for the maintenance of the costumes both off and on the stage. I will say that this show is pretty low maintenance in the wardrobe department, and I’m blessed that there aren’t quick changes. The historical genre is one of my favorites, but the costumes that come with that are so intricate and have so many layers. Contemporary pieces are (typically) pretty standard.

When I come to rehearsals, or show nights, the first thing I do is check the inventory. Then I look over the garments to determine if they need steamed or ironed. This production has a swing cast, which means 4 students perform one day and another 4 performs the following. While one cast is performing the main story, the swing cast move the scenes as art gallery docents.

Other job tasks that I have involve, helping actors in and out of costuming. During quick changes that can get chaotic, but this show doesn’t have any that are like that. Most of the things that change quickly are the props the actors have to bring out with them for certain scenes. Wardrobe crew also keeps track of any issues, such as rips in costuming, so they can be fixed prior to the next performance. We also make sure that the costuming gets laundered correctly, although some pieces don’t need this step. There aren’t any wigs or special effect prosthetics that are used in this show, but those are elements that the wardrobe crew typically deal with as well.

Costume Shop
Waiting to be called to places

The tagline for this musical is “Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.” The humor reflects the time period it was created in, the 90’s. There have been many times where I’ve been backstage, doubled over with tears running down my face from laughing so hard. If you want to come catch this show it opens tonight at 7:30 in North Side’s blackbox theatre (same floor as the bookstore). The show will run Thursday through Sunday for the next 2 weeks, with Sunday’s show being a 2pm matinee. This event is FREE, but donations to the Titan Food Drive are greatly appreciated!