RUTH ANNA PHILLIPS
Size-Inclusivity & Body Acceptance
Ruth is spearheading the development of practices that embrace diversity in body shape and size ensuring that individuals of all shapes and sizes feel represented and respected. This builds upon her extensive personal research and practice as a movement director and theatre maker.
Summary
Ruth has created training for the theatre industry to make rooms more inclusive of diverse body types, support the experience and representation of bigger bodies and push an understanding of the complexities around body image and societal body standards.
This research began in 2018 with her MA Dissertation "One size fits all: Inclusivity Of Body Shape In Movement Fundamentals". She continued to question and develop her practice through her work as a movement director and teacher and is now able to solidify and archive her work via this DYCP Grant.
Ruth is a plus-sized director, movement director and choreographer. She has been building her personal practice of inclusivity via her work in conservatoires, rehearsal processes and specialist workshops. She also teaches dance open classes with School of SOS and The Curve Catwalk, the UK's first plus-size Dance Classes.
Qualifications
MA in Movement: Direction and Teaching from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Launched UK's First Size-Inclusivity Training for Drama Schools - Featured in The Stage
Years of work as a movement director, choreographer and facilitator across theatre and film.
Developing Your Creative Practice Grant: Body Acceptance and Inclusion
Co-founder of Inclusion Collective
Ivor Guest Research Grant Recipient 2020
Training
Accessible and creative training for practical size-inclusivity. Useful for theatre companies, institutions and individuals.
Workshops
A range of workshops to engage participants in the topics of body image, body acceptance, priviledge and owning their bodies.
Speaking & Writing
Ruth has given many talks and articles on her research and wider topics such as body positive sports, fat activism and plus-size movement.
Consulting
Work with Ruth directly. Get support on a project, new idea or application bid to level up your work and increase inclusivity and access.
Previous work
Specialist talk Fitness & Body Positivity to over 400 secondary students as part of deep learning day at The Charter School.
Movement Director for FATCHANCE (National Tour) Written & Performed by Rachel Stockdale | Directed by Jonluke McKie
Advised The Curve Catwalk co-founder on new instructor training, emphasizing inclusive teaching methods.
"Body Acceptance within Movement"
Workshop, Flourish Festival.
Body Image Workshops and Residency with Norwich Theatre. With SpeakUp Theatre
"Tackling Body Issues with Creative Practice" Interview, Norwich Theatre
Leeds Conservatoire Talks, "Unlocking Inclusive Practice: Dyslexia/Dyspraxia and Body Diversity in the Acting Studio" Leeds Conservatoire in collaboration with Christina Fulcher
Body Acceptance Training for Students, premiered at Academy of Live Recording Arts.
Co-founder Inclusion Collective www.inclusioncollective.org
Ivor Guest Research Grant recipient: "Research Project investigating inclusive movement within the intersection of neurodiversity and fat activism", in collaboration with Christina Fulcher, Society for Dance Research
‘Inclusion Optional?’ Discussion & Presentation at Why Movement Matters in collaboration with Christina Fulcher, RADA Movement Symposium, postponed due to COVID-19
Choreographer, Ripples, Body Acceptance Dance Film Greenwich Dance, Online
2024
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2020
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Here are some resources Ruth has found useful during her work on the topics of body acceptance, fat activism and inclusivity
Useful Resources
Body Image: How a person sees and feels about their own body, influenced by societal standards and personal experiences.
Body Acceptance: Embracing and respecting bodies without judgment, regardless of societal standards.
Anti-Fat Bias: Also known as Anti-Fat or Fatphobia. Refers to the negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminatory behaviours directed towards individuals who are perceived to be overweight or obese.
Fat Activism: Advocacy for the rights and dignity of fat people, combating discrimination.
Weight Stigma: Negative attitudes and discrimination based on body size, causing harm to affected individuals.
Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on specific characteristics, such as body size, leading to negative consequences.
Books
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Happy Fat by Sofie Hagen
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Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon
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Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings
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The Fat Studies Reader by Esther Rothblum, Sondra Solovay
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Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls by Jes Baker
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Your body is not an apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
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"You just need to loose weight "and 19 other mtyhs about fat people by Aubrey Gordon
Plays & Podcasts
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Beach Body Ready by Roaring Girls
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Fatty Fat Fat by Katie Greenall
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She's All Fat: A Positive Podcast
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Maintenance Phase - Podcast
Articles
"The Bizarre and Racist History of the BMI" Your Fat Friend, 2018.
"Weight stigma kept me out of the doctors offices for almost a decade"
Your Fat Friend, 2019.
Prior, R. W., Maxwell, I., Szabo, M. and Seton, M. 2015
"‘Proud to say I am a fat person’: Calgary actors draw attention to weight bias" Carolyn Kury de Castillo
‘Being fat’: a conceptual analysis using three models of disability Toby Brandon & Gary Pritchard, 2011.