Too Fat To Run at Redtwist Theatre

In a culture that often equates fitness with thinness, Too Fat To Run by Eileen Tull delivers a powerful, honest, and empowering message: Movement belongs to everyone. Blending personal experience with sharp insight, Tull confronts the mythology of thin supremacy in the world of long distance running. This autobiographical solo show invites audiences to rethink what health and strength truly look like. 

After signing up for the 2022 Chicago Marathon, Tull received mixed messages from people in her life. Some were supportive, but some were “concerned” about her fat body being able to finish all 26.2 miles. In collaboration with directing team Jessica Landis and Jules Dreitzer, Tull created a 60 minute, highly physical play for people who want to reconnect with their bodies on their own terms, free from shame, comparison, or unrealistic expectations.

Workshopped and developed with Fat Theatre Project, Too Fat To Run has been performed at the Elgin Fringe Festival, the Inverse Performance Art Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, and at Chicago’s Fillet of Solo Festival. 

Tull has been performing and teaching solo work in Chicago for over ten years, with shows like Bad Dates, Or: What Killed That Monkey in Indiana Jones Only Makes Me Stronger at Abbie Fest and Rhino Fest; Hi, I’m Eileen at the Chicago Fringe and Chicago Solo; and Phone Calls With John Kasich at Collaboraction and Loyola University, among others. Outside of Chicagoland, her solo work has been featured in New York City, San Francisco, and Cincinnati festivals and The Marsh Theatre in San Francisco. She is the founding artistic director of Fat Theatre Project, which tells stories by/about/for/with fat people. 

Too Fat To Run
Written and Performed by Eileen Tull
Original Direction by Jessica Landis
Remount Direction by Jules Dreitzer
Stage Management by Lou McNaughton
February 4th – March 4th at Redtwist Theatre
1044 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Chicago IL 60660

About Redtwist Theatre’s One on Wednesday Series: 

One-On-Wednesday is a solo performance series entering its second year at Redtwist Theatre. On Wednesdays at Redtwist we invite unique solo performers to take over our space and bring their singular, edgy perspective to our black box in Edgewater.