New Tampa Players
Puffs Young Wizards Edition
Written by Matt Cox
Produced with special arrangement from Concord Theatricals
Welcome to Uptown Stage!
Please silence your cell phones.
This performance does not have an intermission
Produced with the Generous Support of
Kai Bader
Kai, a 13 year old 8th grader, is a massive fan of 80s and 90s movies. He enjoys drawing, animating, singing, (hardcore) parkour, playing piano and practically all stereotypically “nerdy” things. He is enjoyed his mentor experience in the Penguin Project, Mary Poppins Jr, with New Tampa Players. He was part of the production of Akeelah and the Bee at New Tampa Players as well in the fall. Prior to that experience, he participated in many plays and performances at school and piano recitals as well. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support, and his Spanish teacher for encouraging him to get up on stage.
Ciara Colon
Ciara Colón is a 16 year old homeschool Junior, who loves to sing, bake, and read. She has sung in various choirs and bands, and loves making her own music. She is also enrolled at PHSC as a Dual Enrolled student, and is hoping to graduate from high school with her Associates degree. She loves Harry Potter and is super excited to be a part of this show.
Samantha Colon
Samantha Colón is an 18 year old homeschool Senior from Wesley Chapel. She has a passion for musical theatre but also loves reading, fashion and art. Some of Sammy’s favorite roles she’s played include: Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, and The Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music. Sammy took 3rd place in her category at the 2019 Spotlight on Talent, with The Heritage Arts Association. She has also sung in various church choirs and bands throughout the years. This is Sam’s 3rd show with NTP and 7th show in general. Sammy is so excited to be in this show because the HP series was a big part of her childhood. Sam was grateful for the challenge being in this show presented and she hopes you finds the show as funny as she does.
Daniel Fellerhoff
Daniel Fellerhoff is a 12-year-old whose favorite activities include playing chess, singing in a choir and reading. This is Daniel’s sixth production with NTP. He is especially excited to be part of Puffs after having read the series about a certain boy wizard many times over. Daniel would like to thank his parents for driving him to rehearsals and the cast and crew for always being nice.
Jakob Fellerhoff
Jakob Fellerhoff, age 11, is thrilled to be performing in Puffs! Jakob’s many talents include acrobatics and dance. He is happiest when he can use his imagination and be in costume. Jakob has been part of four previous productions with NTP, most recently playing Michael in Mary Poppins Jr. He thanks his parents and the whole cast and crew for making this show a great experience.
Sarah Fellerhoff
Sarah Fellerhoff is 15 years old and is excited to be a Puff. Previous NTP productions she has performed in include Aladdin Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Polkadots, Akeelah and the Bee and Mary Poppins Jr. When she is not performing, Sarah enjoys swimming and playing soccer and she recently joined a rowing team. She would like to thank her parents for making it all happen and her cast mates for being super fun.
Jaden Figueroa
Jaden Figueroa is 15 years old and attends Center Academy Lutz. He loves musical theater and has done several shows with New Tampa Players and Community School of the Arts since 2019. Last month Jaden performed in Penguin Project's Mary Poppins and CSA's Matilda Jr. He's excited to play Oliver Rivers in Puffs and has enjoyed being part of this amazing cast.
Sydney Hess
Sydney Hess is a 14-year-old homeschool Freshman from Land O’ Lakes. She has great passion for all things creative and the arts! Sydney enjoys singing, dancing, drawing, painting, sculpting, sewing, photography, and baking. She is experienced with both being on stage in production and working behind the scenes as stage craft crew. This is Sydney’s fourth acting production and she looks forward to many more. Her short-term goals are to continue improving her creative craft and skill and to begin Dual Enrollment in the fall so that she can attain her Associates degree and high diploma simultaneously.
James Shoemaker
James Shoemaker (Cedric, Mr. Voldy) is glad to be back with his friends at Uptown Stage. His last role with NTP was ensemble in Beauty and the Beast (2016) at the ripe old age of 6. Since then James has been in the cast of Annie (Mr. Bundles) and Peter Pan (Smee) at Jansen Dance Project, and just finished the role of Hansel in The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon at Orange Grove Middle Magnet School for the Arts where he is in 6th grade. Thanks to family and friends for their support and coming to see the show!
Aiden Wheetley
Aiden Wheetley (Ernie Mac and others) is so excited to be a part of the cast of PUFFS. This is his first production with New Tampa Players. Aiden is a freshman in high school and loves acting and computer programming. Aiden has acted with DeArmon C.A.S.T. and has been in their productions of FLAPPER (Ted Loveland) and THE JUNGLE BOOK (Mowgli). He recently served as a peer mentor with the Penguin Project. In addition, he looks forward to being a part of the cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Corbett Preparatory School, and his end of the year performance with Stagelights Performing Arts Center. When he’s not on stage, he loves taking care of his sweet dog, Maisy, hanging out with friends, and camping. Aiden would like to thank God for his passion and talent for acting, his parents, family, friends and castmates for their love and support. He would also like to give a huge thank you to Mrs. Nora for her time, dedication, and direction.
Tyler Wheetley
Tyler Wheetley (Megan Jones) has loved being whisked away into the magical world of the puffs. This is her first production with the New Tampa Players. Tyler has acted with DeArmon C.A.S.T. for two years, and she has been in their productions of FOOTLOOSE (Cowgirl Jude/Ensemble) and Jungle Book (Bageera). In an upcoming show with DeArmon C.A.S.T., she will be playing the role of Fannie in MARY POPPINS. This past year, she served as a peer mentor for the Penguin Project’s production of MARY POPPINS JR. In addition, she looks forward to being a part of the cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Corbett Preparatory School this summer. When she’s not on stage, she enjoys playing violin, piano, and ukulele. She also loves to spend time with her friends, family, and sweet puppy. Tyler would like to thank her family, friends, and castmates for all their love, support, and encouragement. Tyler also really appreciates and would like to thank Mrs. Nora for all the time, energy, and dedication that she has put into this show.
Production Team
Stage Manager: Eboni Graham
Lighting Design: Joshua Eberhart
Lighting Technician: Frank Stinehour
Sound Design: From Original Off Broadway Run of Puffs
Sound Technician: Sebastian Paine
Crew: Tobias Paine, Zoe Paine, and Roe Peterson
Props: The Amazing Adult Cast and Crew of Puffs
Set Construction and Painting: Joshua Paine and James Cass
A Note from the Director:
The kids you see on this stage are amazing and dedicated. This is not an easy show—- it is a solid 100 minutes of lines, slapstick, changing characters, changing props, and changing costumes. We had 17 rehearsals, about 50 hours to learn, rehearse, and master this material.
They have done an amazing job and have spent hours at home in front of mirrors working on their voices and their characters. Learning how to make each character a different experience for their bodies and for the audience. Each character has its own facial expressions, its own body movements, and its own voice.
I am so unbelievably proud of them. They took notes each night and by the next day had made the change needed in their performance. They have learned so much and grown so much. This is what community theatre is all about.
Our tech crew has done an awesome job teching this HARD show—- Thank you to Eboni, Roe, Tobias, and Zoe for all of your hard work making all of the moving pieces of this show work! Thank you to Sebastian and Frank for diving right into the chaos and making our Puffs world come to life!
Your happy and proud director,
Nora
PUFF HUG
Thank you to all of our volunteers who have worked so hard to make this production of Puffs possible.
Paul Berg
Carrollwood Players
Carrollwood Cultural Center
Shelley Giles
Craig Hartfield
Jim Russell
Support Live Theatre
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players, the arts, and live theatre through your presence tonight. As NTP reopens and recovers from COVID, your financial support is crucial. With reduced seating, your support can help bridge the gap between ticket sales and operating and production expenses, keeping us financially healthy and able to provide diverse and accessible performing arts opportunities.
About Uptown Stage
Welcome to Uptown Stage, New Tampa Player’s new space! For your safety and the safety of those around you, please wear a mask while you are inside Uptown Stage. Restrooms are located in the main mall near Burlington Coat Factory. Maps are provided at the front of the theater.
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players and live performance!
THIS WEEKEND
Auditions for our Summer Shows
Manic Monologues and Children of Eden
May 1 from 6:00-9:00 PM
May 2 from 7:00-9:30 PM
May 3 from 7:00-9:30 PM