Is there a way to naturally make your hair grow faster?

I'm the lead in my school play and the character is supposed to have long hair, but I have a short bob. It needs to be pulled back in a ponytail and I can't really do that without looking butch. Are there any tips or tricks? I really don't want a wig or extensions because my hair color is really hard to duplicate into a realistic wig without paying a lot of money.