Upcoming Show: MASS MOVEMENT
May 29, 30, 31 of 2026
NEW Expressive Works
Portland, OR
Years in the making, a community of fat artists taking risks and getting curious about our bodies and building trust with each other, we are now ready to share with our community what we have built.
MASS MOVEMENT explores movement and connection in fat bodies, in fat community, while holding the complexities of queer identity, gender variation, disability and chronic illness.
Each performance is followed by a discussion between cast and audience.
Upcoming Class: Fat Contact
May 30 2026 1-4pm
NEW Expressive Works
Portland, OR
Movement sessions lead by visiting artist Gillie Kleiman
In this workshop, we will work through movement activities that bring us into direct physical contact with one another, asking the question 'what does it mean for fat people to touch?' Instead of routines, we will share in playful explorations guided by sets of instructions, both detailed and open. We will be serious about our time together, and probably also very silly!
This is open to all fat people, including those who have never set foot in a dance studio. Gillie is a very experienced facilitator, and is a specialist in working with people who are new to dancing in dance studios.
Exploring Embodiment
taught by Tara Blaine
This class is a space to experiment with embodiment. A time to explore deep connection and awareness of our physical selves. An opportunity to abandon agenda, analysis, or commentary. An invitation to step back and put our bodies in the driver’s seat of our experience. These classes are offered intermittently as both drop ins and a series.
Back by popular demand 2020! Registration not yet open, but stay tuned!
Where have I seen you before?
Press: What are they saying about us?!
Portland Monthly- Arts Roundup
Even this glossy print magazine took notice of the buzz our performances created recently!
What the Q? Podcast
Hear KT talk about fatness, queerness, and how art helped her explore gender. Interviewed by the incredible Mickey, dancer and composer for Weighted Bodies.
Fat Face Feelings Podcast
KT talks about fatness, identity, gender, queer performance art, community, imposter syndrome and her 3-legged anxious dog.
Dance Wire
Dance Wire founder, Emily, interviews KT about her hopes for the future of Body Home (which later came true!)
Portland Monthly
Article about Body Home and KT in December 2017
Fat Girls Hiking
Fat Girls Hiking is a diverse body positive hiking community. Trails Not Scales! Article by their Sumr, their founder.
Stance on Dance
Feature article from this organization that educates about dance from the perspective of underrepresented voices and access points.
Who are we?
KT Kusmaul (she/they)
Founder, Artistic Director, choreographer
KT is a fat, queer, non-binary, white, mostly able-bodied human who is passionate about community, creativity, and mutual liberation from oppressive systems. With a history of creating radical gender performance in an underground queer art scene, now they are using their creative skills to bring fat liberation performance art to life. They also bring their background in health care, bodywork and mental health to layer in the healing opportunities in these gatherings. They have been inspired by many teachers and mentors including Meshi Chavez, Pepper Pepper, and the vast fat liberation community that they have collaborated with.
Who are we?
KT Kusmaul :
Founder, Artistic Director, dance teacher
KT is a fat, queer, genderqueer femme who is passionate about community, movement, creativity and mutual liberation from oppressive systems. While in youth she had fairly traditional dance and theater training, she found herself come alive through drag, gender performance and queer dance. Performance and choreography credits include DKPDX, Homomentum, Untrained I, Cattitude, music videos for Athens Boys Choir and Scream Club.
Tara Blaine :
Exploring Embodiment teacher
Tara teaches embodiment exploration classes and dances in classes and performances with this amazing community of fat movers. After studying a variety of dance techniques throughout her youth, Tara transitioned into yoga and meditative body work in adulthood. She's spent the last decade studying and exploring a variety of modalities in order to build a practice that feels authentic and nourishing for fat bodies. In addition to teaching and dancing, Tara is a writer, marketing strategist, and creative process consultant.
We:
This community
"We" are also the incredible community that has come together to build Body Home! This includes the invaluable Sara Hass who manages so much organizing and administrative work, and will answer all your questions with care. The supportive and welcoming folks who are here to create space and lift each other up. And also, the incredible cast of "Weighted Bodies" who is helping to explore meaningful movement in fat bodies.
