One Woman Show and Call to Action, Cereus Arts' FAT Questions Is Big, Better?
"FAT" tells the story of a skinny girl raised in a family of full figured women. After losing her matriarchs to health complications she's forced to challenge conventional beauty standards and eating traditions. Cereus Arts' theater debut is a one-of-a kind production featuring special guest, HBO's Sonya Renee.
The show premieres for one night only at the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center (DCJCC) on Friday, Dec. 9.
Written and performed by Chicago's Joy Marie Conway, "FAT" comes from her own personal story: "It's good art. It's honest art. It's political art with heart," says Conway. "The piece creates the space for folks of all backgrounds to sit with the ways that poor health has affected them... Too many of us loss our aunts, fathers, mothers in unnecessary ways by preventable disease."
Local vegan restaurant, Everlasting Life Cafe, hosts an opening reception featuring all vegan fare. After the show, attendees can stay for a talk-back with artist and national lesbian health organization, Mautner Project.
The talk-back was the selling point for the star's participation.
"I share this because it's important. After the premiere in Brooklyn, I wanted nothing to do with the show... It was too emotionally taxing (I had meant for this to be a celebration piece) but through the belief in the work of others I began to see how needed this conversation is in our community. So here we are," Conway continues.
DCJCC is located at1529 Sixteenth St. in Northwest. Advanced tickets are on sale for $20; $30 at the door. For video, tickets and 'fat' stories from community members visit www.cereusarts.com/fat. Created in collaboration with www.washingtoninformer.com, www.mautnerproject.org, andwww.everlastinglifecafe.com.
