Lost Flamingo Theatre Company Brings Wizarding Comedy Puffs to Athens

A dose of magic and laughter is set to hit Athens, Ohio, as the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company (LFC) — Ohio University’s first student-run theater company — gears up for its production of Puffs, a fast-paced comedy that reimagines the world of a certain famous wizard school. The show will run Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Arts/West, 132 W. State St., with $5 cash-only tickets available at the door.

Based on Matt Cox’s popular play Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, the story follows three self-proclaimed “potential heroes” who experience life as underdogs at a familiar school of spells and secrets. Unlike the saga that inspired it, this is not Harry’s story. Instead, it celebrates the overlooked students — the Puffs — who simply try to survive seven chaotic years while staying out of the way of the “Chosen One.” You can read more about the play itself at puffstheplay.com.

Chloe Dixon, a junior studying art therapy, directs the Athens production. She describes Puffs as a “totally different” take on the magical universe — a story that swaps drama for humor and gives audiences a lighter, funnier, and more relatable view of student life in a magical world. “It’s comedy. It’s way funnier,” Dixon said. “Yes, it’s based in the same universe, but it’s totally different. The characters are far more lovable.”

The charm of this version lies in its small, flexible cast. With more characters than actors, most performers juggle multiple roles throughout the show. Kyle Bosscher, a junior in media arts production, plays J. Finch Fletchley among several other parts. “I have all of these roles I have to think about,” Bosscher said. “I have to create unique voices and differentiate them so the audience doesn’t go, ‘That’s that guy again!’ That’s really the fun of it — bringing something new to every role.”

Julia Poppe, a freshman majoring in integrated science education, is also double-cast and says the challenge has helped her grow as an actor. “Running on stage as one character and then putting on a scarf and running on with a completely different accent and vibe was something that really drew me to Puffs,” Poppe explained. “It’s been a great way to push myself.”

Rehearsals began during the third week of the semester, and the cast has bonded deeply since. Poppe said the Puffs’ friendship extends beyond rehearsals: “Anytime we interact with other people in LFC, we are the Puffs. We go everywhere together.” This closeness, she added, is reflected on stage, as the characters’ growing connection mirrors the cast’s real-life camaraderie.

Beyond the humor, improvisation plays a big role in the production. The script leaves open sections for actors to experiment, even noting spots where they can say “or whatever you really want to.” Bosscher mentioned that the actors have plenty of freedom to add flair to their lines, while Poppe revealed that five pages in the script are reserved for line changes and improv notes.

Despite a tight budget, Dixon and the creative team have built a “bare-bones” stage, focusing on clever lighting, quick prop changes, and high energy rather than elaborate sets. “At the end of the day, it’s just us actors on that stage,” Bosscher said. “There’s really nothing else to look at.”

For Dixon, the message of Puffs is about self-acceptance and significance. “Everyone’s important — even you in the corner,” she said. “I want the audience to walk out not just laughing, but realizing that they matter, too.”

Catch this magical comedy at Arts/West this weekend, and follow the Lost Flamingo Theatre Company on Facebook or Instagram for updates on upcoming productions.