Who, exactly, are the Hufflepuffs?
Harry Potter fans know they are one of the houses that new students are sorted into upon arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The more commonly known houses are Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
While Hufflepuff takes a backseat to the more showy houses, its members quietly work to ensure all students feel included, demonstrating loyalty and dedication. Hufflepuffs may not be destined to save the world, but they will make it a better place.
An off-Broadway show called “Puffs Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic” is coming to the Orcas Center main stage with an all-local cast. It will run Feb. 28 and March 1 at 7 p.m.; March 2 at 2 p.m.; March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.orcascenter.org. The show is rated PG-13 for adult language.
“Puffs” is a 2015 original comedy by New York-based playwright Matt Cox. It’s a parody of the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling but from the viewpoint of the Hufflepuffs.
“The joke behind the play is that the Hufflepuffs are the misc group left over after sorting the other three houses,” explained director Jamey Moriarty, who also led last winter’s play “She Kills Monsters.” “‘Puff’ allows us to play around with the story people have become so attached to without directly supporting the author, who has alienated some of her fanbase (after making contentious statements about transgender rights).”
When choosing a play for the 2025 winter slot, Moriarty wanted something “fun and relevant” that could cater to young performers.
The cast of “Puffs” features 28 actors who range in age from 16 to late 60s. The backstage crew is also a mix of ages. Felix Holding coordinates the costumes, Shawn Shaepe is the stage manager and George “Spider” Slaughter constructs the set.
“The teens are all best friends, and they have come to every rehearsal, whether called or not. They just have so much fun. It’s been incredible,” Moriarty said. “The blending of all the ages has been seamless.”
The full cast list is: Elodie Antonia, Lila Beale, Marjorie Blaine, Dorrie Braun, Ash Cooke, Phoebe Demoura, Sarah Flickinger, Dan Hall, Tori Griffith, Noah Gwerder, Griffin Johnston, Marley Moxley, Opal Mills, Claire Orser, Patrick Primeau, Jael Roy, Bella Schermerhorn, Victoria Smith, Hans Sprenger, Rene Sturk, Sam Wickstrand, Annie Williams, Paxson Williams, Quin Wildman-Gossett and Tatum Wright.
Moriarty noted that auditions for the show were held before the 2024 election, and rehearsals have been mainly after. President Trump has publicly stated that he believes trans and queer people do not have the same rights as those who are cisgender and straight.
“A lot of people feel really unsafe right now. And theatre is a place where we work to make it safe for everyone,” Moriarty said. “My motivation behind this play is community spirit.”
Moriarty describes the process of “Puffs” as joyful.
“We do drop a bunch of F-bombs, but really, the content of the play is pretty wholesome,” he said. “If you have any interest in Harry Potter, you will find ‘Puffs’ funny, and even if you aren’t, it’s still funny because the characters are so full of life.”
