I’m directing a staged Zoom reading of the play Fat Girl, Skinny Girl, et al. by Kerri Killeen. I hope you come, but not because it’s going to be fun.
It’s a disturbing, compelling drama about a young woman with an eating disorder. She is called, simply, Girl, and she will stop, start, break, and heal your heart.
Girl spends a significant amount of time in hospitals or clinics, exercise / yoga studios, and the mirror. Mostly, she is in her head. She is in a constant state of counting calories, working out, and berating herself, rather, selves. Sometimes the selves berate her. Watch and see who is in control.
Girl’s “selves” appear as Fat Girl and Skinny Girl and they are there to argue, manipulate, and pressure Girl into thinking she’s not enough. It can be uncomfortable to watch, which is one reason I think this play is so important to experience.
Tens of millions of people — of all ages, backgrounds, weights, and genders — are affected by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating. Eating disorders are often caused by a variety of factors ranging from genetics to social situations. Though complete recovery is possible, people with eating disorders often suffer from depression and anxiety and are at a higher risk for suicide and mental complications.
Please be advised that there is a content warning for our staged reading:
Subject matter includes and is not limited to: eating disorders, self-harm, and struggling with mental illness.
Fat Girl, Skinny Girl, et al. takes on a difficult subject, yes, but please know it will be brought to life by an excellent, intelligent cast: Tony Bozzuto, Michael Colby, Atlie Gilbert, Anne-Marie Little, and Jessica Rivera. Our producers are Joshua Fardon and Atlie Gilbert. And this is part of the Naked Angels Tuesdays@9 enterprise.
Virtual doors open at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 16. When I have the link to the Zoom, I will post it. It is free to attend, but donations will go directly to Sarah’s Circle, a nonprofit organization with a mission of serving women who are homeless or in need of a safe space in Chicago.
Thank you for your interest. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. -Connie
Connie Kuntz 