The Cultch presents BIG Sister – Cultchivating the Fringe Winner

BIG Sister is the true story of one woman’s weight loss… as told by her sister!

The Cultch is thrilled to present 2018 Cultchivating the Fringe winner, BIG Sister, from Rapid Pitch Productions, Feb 19-29, at the Vancity Culture Lab.

BIG Sister is a one-woman comedy about the relationship between two sisters and what happens when one of them changes. The real life experience of sister/actor Naomi’s 70-pound weight loss, written through the perspective of younger sibling/writer Deborah. BIG Sister explores a world of evil siblings, fat shaming, and unlikely collaboration.

“I lost 70 pounds, over 2 years, and my life changed drastically,” says performer and co-creator, Naomi Vogt. “I got taken seriously professionally, I got asked on dates, guys at falafel stands winked at me. Everything changed for me. The show is about me working through that, trying to not have internalized fat shame.” A story of body positivity with a unique perspective, BIG Sister was written by Deborah Vogt, and is performed and co-created by Naomi Vogt. “It is basically a letter, from my sister to me, about our relationship and our respect of bodies,” says Naomi. “She bullied me as a kid even though she is the junior sister, and she did have an impact on the way I saw myself. And so the play is a conversation between sisters.”

Directed by Jamie King, recipient of the Ray Michal’s Prize for Most Promising New Director, BIG Sister won the 2018 Cultchivating the Fringe Award—a unique award granted once a year to a performance from the Vancouver Fringe Festival that demonstrates a strong potential for further development. BIG Sister is the tenth production to receive this coveted award.

WHEN:

Showtimes:
Feb 19, 7:30PM: Preview
Feb 20, 7:30PM: Opening
Feb 21–22, 25–29, 7:30PM
Feb 23 & 29, 2PM

Post-show Artist Talkback: Feb 23, 25

WHERE: Vancity Culture Lab, 1895 Venables St

TICKETS: All tickets $35. Single tickets on sale now through The Cultch’s Box Office: 604-251-1363 or tickets.thecultch.com.

Playwright: Deborah Vogt

Director and Dramaturg: Jamie King

Performer and Creator: Naomi Vogt

Set Designer: Magnolia Cairns

Set Advisor: Jenn Stewart

Sound Designer: CG McGillivray

Lighting Designer: Taylor Janzen

Stage Management: Jessica Keenan

“BIG Sister is bold, brave, and beautiful… It digs deep into their experiences with beauty standards and expectations through personal stories, anecdotes, and secrets shared with the audience.”—Vancouver Presents

ABOUT THE CULTCH:

Since 1973, The Cultch (formally the Vancouver East Cultural Centre) has been one of Vancouver’s most diverse and innovative arts and cultural hubs. The organization operates three theatrical venues, a gallery, and various ancillary spaces in the heart of East Vancouver. The Cultch offers dynamic contemporary programming in theatre, dance, music, and the visual arts, bringing world-class cultural presentations to thousands of citizens each year through its own programming and through providing rental opportunities for community users. Our purpose is to provide a venue for performance that serves a diverse and engaged public and provides space for artistic experimentation and development, building an audience for local companies and presenting cutting-edge national and international work.

Media release and image provided by Lisa Mennell,