It's Time to Talk About The F Word
Confronting fatphobia, diet culture, and the intersection of fatness with race, creator-performers Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda explore their friendship as two fat women on a journey to self-acceptance and fat liberation.
Intrigued? Read on to learn more as Keshia and Bianca talk all things The F Word, their creative process, what it means to bring this important work to the mainstage, and most importantly, how you can be part of a positive future - whatever your waist size.
Why are you excited to share The F Word with local audiences?
We’re excited to play us! It’s invigorating to do a show that’s so personal to us while having so much fun doing it. (Don’t ask us what our favourite scenes are, it’s all of them! ;)) 5 and a half years ago, we had a dream to create and perform a show - one that we connected to, that represented our communities, and that we could fully bring ourselves to. This show is that dream coming to fruition.
We’re also excited to have the audience experience our friendship and witness fat women of colour in our joy and humanity.
We’ve got an incredible team of artists, whose hearts and minds are bringing our vision to life so we’re excited that you get to see their work too.
Finally, the arts community showed up for us in so many ways - looking over grants, offering the use of studio spaces, and fiercely supporting different iterations of the show, just to name a few. This show is a celebration of so many people believing in us. So in case you needed another reminder, we’re seriously so excited for everyone to see what they helped make possible.
How have you two developed as creative partners and friends through this experience?
Throughout the years of dreaming and creating this show, we have always prioritized our friendship. When we get together for writing sessions, we don’t hesitate to take the time we need to share a meal, to check in, and to meet each other where we’re at that day. There is no such thing as wasted time when we get together. Showing up has always been enough.
Because of this, we’re able to operate intentionally and compassionately as creative partners. We support each other’s ideas and go with them – until we realize they’re not it. When something doesn’t feel right, we speak up. We allow ourselves to speak in draft and celebrate how far we’ve come now.
How would you describe the style of The F Word in terms of its approach to the content?
The style of The F Word is, well, everything! This show is an amalgamation of multiple styles and genres. As multidisciplinary artists, there are many modes of storytelling that inspire us and are incorporated into the show. From songs, movement, fairy tales, talk shows, and more, we hope that different types of people will find their own way ‘in’ though their favourite ways of experiencing theatre.
What are some ways people can show up for their fat friends?
First and foremost, we think it’s important to do that work within yourself. Anti-fatness and diet culture are heavily ingrained in our society so confronting your own personal biases with the intention of learning and unlearning these things is a good place to start. Then, we must acknowledge that fatness exists in a spectrum. As someone’s weight and size go up, the more barriers they face.
There are things your fat friend has to navigate and think about that you may not have to. Some things that seem like preferences, like choosing to sit at a booth in a restaurant versus a table, are decisions that can affect their ability to participate in an event comfortably, or even at all. When you go out, check-in with them and ask if they’re comfortable, or let them make the seating decisions. And if they are uncomfortable, ask them how you can support them.
Lastly, listen to your fat friends. Support their art. And why not come to our show. Learn more at downstage.ca.
