Women aren’t always comfortable talking about their “downstairs,” but this weekend, Ohio University women will take the stage to do just that.
The Vagina Monologues will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year with the theme of One Billion Rising to represent the one in three women in the world who are beaten or raped in their lifetime.
“As a woman in college, I think a lot of women deal with a lot of really tough issues that we can’t always talk about,” said Katie Mitchell, performer for The Vagina Monologues. “I had a really rough experience in high school that I never talked about for four years and I’ve had a really hard time coming to terms with that and so The Vagina Monologues for me was a really powerful, really empowering way to take control of something that I had felt I had lost.”
This year there will be 13 monologues with a show performed by 17 women. Kombe Kapatamoyo, a grad student at Ohio University, is another performer for the monologues.
“I have seen a lot of people being raped and domestic violence in Zambia as well, where I’m from,” Kapatamoyo said. “I’m mostly excited about just bringing people together and just giving them this news ... that not all hope is lost, but we can make a change. It can always start with one person.”
The proceeds from the monologues will go to My Sister’s Place, the only safe house in Athens where survivors of domestic violence can take refuge.
The theme for the monologues is red and black, to resemble a vagina. Each performer will be wearing these colors as she stands alone on stage with only a microphone.
“I think it’s going to be phenomenal,” said Susanne Dietzel, director of the Women’s Center. “I have no doubt that it’s going to be successful and it’s going to be a visual and verbal extravaganza.”
The performers have been practicing four times a week for the past seven weeks.
“The monologues I think have been amazing,” said Laura Hyde, producer for the show. “All of these women are really nothing short of inspirational. They’re all really dedicated, they’re all really passionate and I feel like we’ve all been able to really learn from each other.”
Most women interviewed said being a part of the monologues was being a part of a healing process. The performers not only practice their monologues but also have discussions about the topics being raised in the show such as rape, pedophilia, masturbation, violence and lesbianism.
Hannah Stanton-Gockel is the director for the show, with Allie Erwin assistant directing.
“What we’re asking for is for people to think about these issues, to think about how they impact women around the world, why it’s important to talk about these monologues and why it’s important to talk about these monologues within Athens, Ohio,” Stanton-Gockel said.
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