Students Star in Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues
By Broadside Staff Writer Kristen White
With monologues such as “Because He Liked to Look At It,” “My Angry Vagina,” and “The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could,” The Vagina Monologues can’t be overlooked this year.
To mark the movement known as V-day, Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues will be performed on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m in Harris Theatre.
At the afternoon showing, there will be a talk directly after the show in which the audience can interact with the actresses. The audience is welcome to ask questions about the process, the actresses’ preparation, and their thoughts about the monologues.
Ensler wrote The Vagina Monologues as a way to broadcast the truths about violence against women and girls, with a tagline of “Until the Violence Stops.”
She started the process by interviewing over 200 women and girls about their experiences with sexuality, their fantasies and their fears. By writing this play, Ensler was able to give these women a voice in the world.
Ensler is dedicated to creating a world where there is no sexual violence and hopes The Vagina Monologues will create an atmosphere of hope where this violence can come to an end.
This play has been translated into more than 45 languages and performed in over 120 countries to promote the end of violence.
Nichi Lewis, senior and director of The Vagina Monologues for this year’s production, is very familiar with the play since she started off acting in the show her sophomore year.
Her role as director is to talk with the actresses, make sure they are comfortable with their monologues and oversee the one week intensive rehearsals before the show.
“It’s a really good bonding experience because we are all women and are able to talk about issues that we’ve had and how to get more into the character of the monologue we are each performing,” Lewis said.
This year’s performance will contain more theatrical aspects like set and stage lights to enhance each of the monologues. “We auditioned about 40 girls and decided to cast 17,” Lewis said.
The main point of these monologues is to entertain the audience, while also making people realize the dangers of violence to women.
While there is laughter during the show, there are also serious stories and mature content that help the audience understand what some women go through.
“I’ve seen quite a few people leave the show. It’s hard for some people to get comfortable since we say [vagina] over 100 times, but eventually the audience gets used to it.” Lewis said.
One of the taglines and important aspects of V-Day is “Breaking the Silence.”
“A lot of women have been sexually assaulted and feel like they can’t come out and tell anyone about it,” said Lewis. “Seeing these monologues gives them confidence to tell someone, which liberates them.”
While this show is mainly geared toward liberation for women, men are welcome to attend as well. According to Lewis, violence towards women is a serious problem that everyone in this world is affected by — men and women.
Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for faculty and staff and $25 for the general public. To purchase tickets visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, call 703-993-2787 or visit tickets.com. Ticket proceeds are donated to local women’s shelters and to places where genital mutilation still occurs.
For more information visit www.sas.gmu.edu
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