The Weight Of It All

Join us to explore the experience and impact of weight and size discrimination through drama, and storytelling. Every body is welcome!!

The weight of it all is a free, two-hour interactive workshop exploring the impact of weight stigma and discrimination through creative storytelling.

The session will introduce you to Durham University research on how people in bigger bodies are treated in everyday spaces like healthcare, public transport and the workplace.

Then you'll take part in creative activities to develop fictional characters and storylines inspired by real experiences. These ideas will help us create an audio play about weight stigma, planned as the first step towards a full theatre production touring the North East!

No creative experience is needed at all. Just bring along a willingness to get involved, and an enthusiasm for creating something awesome. The workshop offers a welcoming and supportive space where you can share as much or as little of your experience as you feel comfortable. Every body is welcome and the venue is fully accessible.

Refreshments provided.

We are aiming to create an audio play about size discrimination which is the unequal treatment of people based on their weight, body size or shape. This workshop is our first step and will be a fun opportunity to help shape the project! We will discuss experiences of weight-based discrimination, including sharing some stories from our research. Participants will take part in a series of creative activities to explore common stereotypes and assumptions about body size. Collaboratively with participants, we will develop stories and characters to take forward into the audio play. Refreshments will be provided.

Kimberly Jamie, Associate Professor of Sociology, Durham University.

Rachel Colls, Associate Professor of Geography, Durham University.

JoJo Kirtley, Artistic Director at Workie Ticket Theatre Company.

Adults, over 18

We are particularly interested in engaging people from a range of backgrounds, ages, cultures and communities, recognising that experiences of body-related stigma can affect people in different ways. We also want to engage individuals with an interest in body image, health, wellbeing, equality and social justice, including those who may not normally participate in academic research or arts activities