Puffs Make the Heart Grow Fonder

We are bringing magic to the Artswest stage this week with our next production Puffs. Puffs will be performed November 8th at 7pm and 9th at 2pm, tickets are sold at the door for $5, CASH ONLY!

Before you get too excited, let's hear from the magical cast and crew about their experience with this tale of underdogs to help give us a glimpse of the magical world we are going to watch. 

Andrew Feiszil is the stage manager of this production, he has enjoyed being the stage manager but touched on a special moment where he got to play a role in this play. When asked about his favorite rehearsal moment he said “every rehearsal is my favorite, but if I had to pick one I would choose when I got to fill in for the "Death Buddy #1" Role because that scene with Voldemort is so incredibly uncomfortable and awkward. Anytime I get to experience what someone in another role gets to experience everyday, it's a privilege. It's very helpful to me as a Stage Manager to understand everyone else's roles and experience with the rehearsal process, and generally with LFC as a whole!” LFC strives to help people try new things with no risk, putting yourself out there and learning about other people and what they experience is a big part of our company, Feiszil encapsulated that perfectly in his sentiment. 

He also touched on this special part of LFC by saying “I love being a part of LFC. There's nothing else quite like it on campus; anyone can come as they are and learn something new. You don't have to be a stellar actor or know everything about building or stage management, but the people involved with LFC are always willing to teach and help each other improve. Community theater will always be special and with LFC, I know everyone can find their community through their shared love of theater!” We hope this encourages new people to want to join our company, it's truly a theater space like no other. 

Calvin Rex the assistant stage manager even talked about how LFC has impacted him as well as about the cast and crew behind the scenes. Puffs is all about coming together and embracing who you are. This cast and crew has gone above and beyond off stage to create a safe space among each other.

Rex said “this show has shown me a side to lfc I've never seen before. The commodity between everyone in this show is so tight and everyone is good friends with each other. Even when we aren't in rehearsal, we keep in touch with each other to see how everyone is doing. Everyone in the cast, tech, and directing team is extremely special and makes this show the best lfc production that I think we are going to have.”

He even said “I've never had friends and opportunities like this before. Puffs has shown me just how special the people in this company can be. I want to go back and thank my past self for joining this company because I've met the most important, nicest, and caring people in my life. I love you guys.” A truly sweet sentiment about not only this show but the company as well, there's not many places like this where anyone has an opportunity to do something they’ve always wanted and make lifelong connections. 

The puffs cast and crew are making those lifelong connections and Theo Davis who plays Wayne Hopkins discusses how that came to be on day one. When asked what his favorite rehearsal moment was he said “my favorite moment was the first read through of the show, as it was clear that we all had an idea of what we wanted the show to be. I could tell that Puffs was going to be a great show from day one.” We couldn’t be more excited to see what these guys have made this show to be. Davis even touched on the collaboration everyone in the production has put into the show. He said “the collaborative nature of rehearsals make me really enjoy the process of putting this show together. We are all throwing out ideas all day and seeing what sticks. It's really great.”

These collaborative efforts have also been Kylie Stewart the narrator's favorite part she said “the overall collaborative process has been really cool to see. Everyone comes from very different artistic backgrounds so there's a lot of cool niche aspects being brought to the show.”

Quincy who plays Leanne also talked about these connections she said her favorite part of the show has been “the other puffs, cast and crew I love them all so so much. genuinely some of the kindest people i’ve ever met, everyone is so welcoming I couldn’t ask for a better environment to work in.” 

This show takes a lot of passion and determination and with that LFC as a community has such a drive and passion that makes it so special. The props baron for this show Ava Jump talked about this passion that made her love LFC. She said “I love how passionate everyone is. Everyone there is where they are because they love theatre and love the people. Everyone is putting their all into these shows while also going to class and doing other clubs. If the people weren't truly passionate about what they were doing this wouldn't be possible.” It truly takes an army to put a show like this together and wouldn’t be possible without the support of the company. 

A special part of this show is the props, there are so many props for this show and it takes an army to make. NJ Salas, the stagehand of the show, talked about their special prop making rehearsals. They said “I really enjoy that all of the tech crew always has something to be doing. I was brought into the show as a stagehand but I've been working on projects with props and costumes and having an amazing, productive time.” 

Everyone has a part to play in this show and that’s what these directors are doing great at making sure. That's what Ava Kmetz the female understudy talked about loving most in the show. She said “the best part of Puffs, aside from the people, is our wonderful directors. Chloe and LJ have set it up to where there is never a dry moment. If you want to help with props, you can help with props. If you want to give ideas for blocking, go at it. They've catered such a judgement-free environment that is really rare but so, so amazing.”

We are so excited to be able to watch these people perform, they are giving it their all every rehearsal and we know their performances are going to be ones you won’t want to miss.