Sara Flicht is one of the directors for Alumnae Theatre’s New Ideas Festival. To develop the festival lineup, a group of directors read every play selected, and then interviewed with the playwrights to find the best fit. “I was lucky enough to be connected as a director to Sharon Goldner, a playwright from Baltimore,” explains Flicht. “She wrote Bazookas, a play about a woman who is dissatisfied with her boobs (Boob 1 and Boob 2). Instead of speaking to someone human about her issues, she goes straight to the source, her boobs themselves!”

Once Flicht read Bazookas, she called Goldner and told her this was the play of her dreams to direct. “Both of us bonded over growing up with small boobs and how body-image issues like these aren’t often addressed in theatrical settings. I felt that the comedy of a woman talking to her boobs was a great way to address real issues in a way that connects audiences through laughter.” They paired up and brought it to life on stage with the help of Assistant Director Joan Jamieson, along with cast members Annie Lujan, Karen Scobie and Erika Rogstad.

In light of Bazookas, we chatted more with Flicht about bodies, boobs and fitting in. 

Director Sara Flicht

SDTC: How has your relationship towards your own body changed over the past ten years?

I have always been tall and thin, but I struggled a lot with body image in my early to late teens. My flat chest was always a butt of a joke. Especially because of my height, I looked even smaller. I wanted my boobs to grow for so long and nothing ever changed.

I think with age came a sense of confidence that allowed me to put my body thoughts further to the side. I of course have days where I feel dissatisfied, but my goal now is less about looks and more about health. I remind my self that being healthy and loving my body and all it does for me is way more important than a bit of cellulite or a small chest.

Why do we spend so much time thinking about our own bodies and how they look?

People love to find reasons to compare themselves, and it’s so negative! I have to constantly tell myself to stop assessing my looks based on what I see. We have been driven by fashion and beauty media platforms to try and emulate what we think is a “good” body. We all want to fit in and find community, and body image can be a way we try to do that.

Luckily, so much more body positivity and diversity has been introduced to mass media conversations, but we still have a long way to go. I have also made a point to stay positive about other bodies, because it reminds me to do the same for my own.

What do you hope audiences take away from this play?

Our bodies are more than just their shapes! This play has so much fun with this topic. I want audiences to be able to laugh with Woman, reflect on moments they felt similar to her, and find comfort in the connection they build with Woman, Boob 1 and Boob 2 alike. This play is a great way for us to put things in perspective and find happiness with our bodies.

For me personally it has helped me develop a new relationship to my body. One of respect and care for all that it does! I hope, above all, this play becomes a catalyst to start open conversations about body image in a positive way, filled with laughter, joy and connection.

Bazookas opens tonight at Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley St) and runs until March 10. It is one of three plays running for the New Ideas Festival 2019 (March 6-24), so in case you’re wondering how to spend IWD, this is a GREAT idea. Grab tickets here.