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Body image, fat phobia, and dieting may seem like significant issues when you playfully consider what it means to be overweight in a lean-worshipping society.
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Talk to Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda, creators and performers of The F Word, the world premiere of Alberta Theater Projects and Downstage Theater at the Martha Cohen Theater February 9-19. please don’t
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Their motto is “We are fat, wonderful and beautiful”, and they want others to celebrate living big.
“In 2017, Bianca and I were part of a collective production at the Handsome Alice Theater called Invisible that gave ten women a platform to talk about their identities. We talked about things and wondered why the word fat carries such strong connotations. I wanted it back,” says Cheeseman, a Caribbean-Canadian.
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Born and raised in the Philippines, Miranda recalls: Especially adults will tell you that’s what you don’t want in your life. ”
As theater performers and creators, Cheesman and Miranda see a lot of irony in their profession as well. Cheesman notes that theater seats are generally one size he said, and that size doesn’t accommodate all bodies.
“When Bianca and I go to the theater together, we need extra space, so I hope the line isn’t full.”
Miranda worked as an ATP usher at the Martha Cohen Theater.
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For this reason, the artist claimed that there were size-accessible seats at the Martha Cohen Theater for the show, and that these seats were available at all price points. Seats are marked with an ‘S’ on the theater seating chart and can be reserved in advance at no extra charge.
Cheesman said he hopes many clinics will make changes as well.
“Surveys show that at least 10% of doctors have an aversion to fat patients. They focus on weight rather than what patients want to talk about. The doctor tried to weigh me before checking my ears.”
Issues like this pop up in The F Word, but Miranda says viewers can “expect a lot of laughter and a lot of pure fun.” Laughter and fun were too much a part of Keshia and my friendship to make it into the play.”
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Fairy tales, lectures, dances and songs are imbued with wild whimsy in The F Word. Katherine Smith composed the music for songs written by Cheesman and Miranda, Claire Prowse was their movement coach, and Donna Michelle St. Bernard directed the show.
Cheesman and Miranda are grateful for all the support and encouragement they have received during the five years of development.
“We had so many people and theater companies believe in us. We brought in a certain Nina Lee Aquino to do a four day workshop on that first draft, then she invited us to the Factory Theater in Toronto for a two week workshop and finally We had a packed book club of over 100 people at the time, and every time we read the show, the response was overwhelming,” says Miranda.
As the actors read for community group Big Girl YYC, Miranda recalls: they could relate. it was their life. ”
Cheeseman hopes to see us from a new perspective by thinking about how “non-fat people” have viewed fat bodies in the past. , it is so important that we see the joy in telling stories.
“Miranda and I fight every day to change the perception that fat women of color have no value, no beauty, no value. We want to help dispel all myths.”
