November came around, and many students grew excited for the fall production. There was a special air of thrill this year because the fall’s play would be the first MAD Drama show to be directed by new theater teacher Laura Loy. There had been many changes in the department, including the casting of talented new freshmen, dedicated thespians stepping into leadership roles, and new and old theater traditions being brought to the table. After auditions for the production had taken place in MONTH, rehearsals had begun the week after, and the cast had immediately started working to create an exceptional show.
“My favorite part was getting to know all of the new people and reconnecting with everyone,” Kathleen Johnson (‘26) said.
The play’s storyline follows the seven years of the “Harry Potter” series, but the play focuses on a different trio: a trio of Hufflepuffs, who are finding their way through classes, hallways, relationships, changes and, oh, battles against evil wizards. The trio features Wayne Hopkins, a muggle-born who wants to do something great with his life, Oliver Rivers, who just hopes to succeed at school, and Megan Jones, who yearns to prove that she’s just as evil as her mom. The three become friends early on in the play and meet the other Hufflepuffs, who are welcoming and kind. Each year at the school brings new adventures, challenges and confusions. There was heart in the story as the three puffs tried to find their purposes in a world that shunned them.
“The community is one of the most important parts about theater to me, so the friends I make and get to hang out with completely shape my experience in theater,” Harrison Miller (‘25) said.
“Puffs” drew in crowds of over 400 people and amused audiences with comedic moments. The show was filled with references to the “Harry Potter” series as well as inside jokes between cast members and Generation Z pop culture. There were also certain lines that changed from night to night. For example, when Hufflepuff character J Finch Fletchley listed his top five favorite jelly beans, he incorporated the “Mr. Blanchet” flavored bean on the night that teacher Dan Blanchet came to see the show and the “Henderson special” on the night that former theater director Marshall Henderson was in the crowd. Added tidbits like this made “Puffs” one of the most unique MAD Drama shows yet. The production went well, but just like any show, it experienced its challenges. Mere minutes before the play was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on closing night, Grace Rodstrom (’26) fell down a small set of stairs on one side of the auditorium and rolled her ankle.
“I told her to break a leg, but not like that,” Mia Nguyen (‘27) said.
After a slight delay to the start of the production, Rodstrom was deemed fit to go on as her character, Hannah, in the final show, and performed throughout the night, even while limping. The show started about 15 minutes later than planned, but it was a fantastic performance. The audience was full and spirited, which gave the cast members energy as they inhabited their roles for the last time. There was an air of excitement and achievement as the cast and crew took their final bow.
“I thought it was a beautiful experience, especially as a person who was new to the school,” Rodstrom said.
Drama students thought the show was a hit overall and that Loy had done an amazing job as director. The cast and crew gathered on the stage after the closing performance to give Loy flowers and a card to thank her for her work with them. After the loss of Henderson, students had been worried for the future of their theater department. But Loy had lifted MAD Drama high, keeping old traditions, creating new ones and giving each and every member a space to belong. For that, the cast and crew of “Puffs” were incredibly grateful. Their gratitude and happiness shined through in their performance.