As students begin to move into the 2025-2026 school year, the Indian Hills Theater Company (IHTC) starts to prepare for its fall show, Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, a parody of the Harry Potter book series.

The magic-filled behind-the-scenes process started with cast auditions. On Monday, September 15th, potential castmates were asked to memorize one of various monologues from the play for their audition. That same night, the cast list was revealed and posted to the IHTC Schoology page by director and club advisor, Ms. Kim. The next day, the cast picked up their scripts in the library and started to memorize their lines right away. Ms. Kim states, “They have to be ‘off-book’ – fully memorized by October 23. I have the actors create their own memorization calendars to aid in learning lines. It is very challenging!!” Then, on the first day of rehearsal, the cast did a table read of their lines. Additionally, casties, as Ms. Kim calls them, have started “character development” through improvisation. For instance, the actors were put into random groups and had to act as if their characters had not met each other yet. Ms. Kim adds, “This is not only helpful as they are ‘stepping into the shoes’ of these characters, but also a wonderful tool in cast bonding.” Not only that, but they are also experimenting with different choices and chemistry between characters. The cast is also starting to “block” the show, meaning the actors are learning where they go on stage throughout the play. Explained by Ms. Kim, “For example, when they say a specific line, they need to cross to stage left. Or when they say a specific line, they need to run off stage and re-enter through a specific door.” Furthermore, casties are also testing out their costumes and working on the many props they need for Puffs.

The stage crew of IHTC, otherwise known as tech, is also hard at work, beginning to assemble the set. Ms. Kim states, “We put in a purchase order to Oakland Hardware and 84 Lumber to get wood to build our big set. They started to organize backstage and get everything cleared out to have maximum space when the lumber arrives.”

Evidently, the Indian Hills Theater Company has been busy, working diligently to prepare for its fall show. Ms. Kim voices, “These productions are a huge undertaking. It takes a full team of staff, Casties and Techies to make it all come together.” Junior Teresa Gurnari, who is going to play Sally Perks, reflects on her time at rehearsals, “I didn’t realize how much work would actually be needed to make this production. The script is 113 pages, which is insane, but there is just so much to do, and I’m very excited to see how everything will come together!” To see IHTC’s hard work come to life, be sure to get tickets for Puffs on November 20th, 21st, or 22nd!