*** The Following Contains PUFFS Spoliers and is best read after the show ***
Fenix Theatre Collaborative has received some feedback from a few members of the Trans community who have expressed concerns regarding the effects of our production of Puffs on their community. The board of Fenix Theatre Collaborative agreed to meet with one of them and hear these concerns. After this initial meeting, the board offered to pay Sara a gender consultant fee in order to provide commentary for the program to express these concerns in the hopes of starting a meaningful conversation.
We the board of FTC recognize that every show that has been or will ever be produced is likely to be problematic or triggering in some way to some group. We hope that other theatres and artmakers will follow our lead and invite the space to have these sometimes difficult conversations.
The following is a letter written to the viewers of Puffs by Sara Blanche. While the board does not endorse the viewpoints in this letter, we hope that you will read it with an open mind and come to your own decisions.
To The Viewer of Puffs,
I’ll begin with an introduction. My name is Sara Blanche. I’m a transwoman and San Diego native who has been involved in the theater scene here for about a year. About 12 days ago, I wrote a long letter to the Fenix Theatre Collaborative expressing my concerns about their approach to producing Puffs. Fenix actually offered to publish the original letter in the program. However, upon further reflection, I realized that the initial letter was addressed to Fenix and wasn’t necessarily for the viewer of Puffs. What I have to say to you is very different. In the interest of full disclosure, although my initial involvement with Fenix was as an outsider, I am being paid to provide my input and write this letter to you.
This letter was not written for Fenix’s direct benefit. I am writing this so that you, the viewer, have a perspective outside of the one you will be seeing on the stage. The truth of Puffs is multi-faceted, experienced by many in many different ways. Both Fenix and myself believe it’s important to share as many of these perspectives as we can. I hope that you’ll give me the time you are giving them and give this letter a careful read, just make sure it’s not while the show is going on.
In case the lights are dimming and the show is beginning, here is my argument for you to consider: Puffs is not a revolutionary work. It is critical of its source material, but squanders its own potential by not changing the story it takes place in. When you add a certain author’s transphobia to this, a lot of the messaging in this show loses its meaning. However, I think there is a lot of good here. If this show resonates with you, use that as a catalyst to build community and create the change you want to see. Maybe there is a way that this world can be reclaimed, but that will happen outside of the theater.
A small disclaimer: Puffs exists in the legal gray area of parody. There is a certain author I cannot name and a certain world I cannot mention without potentially inviting legal retribution. I will do my best to be clear and direct despite these limitations.
Producing Puffs in 2022 is a difficult task. The rampant transphobia of a certain author means that any consumption of their work has the potential to bolster them both financially and culturally. Puffs, however, does not financially benefit this author. You can rest easy knowing no portion of the ticket you purchased goes to her, although the delicious alcoholic beverage you purchased does support the local LGBT center.
