All Ohio University and Athens residents who identify as women are encouraged to audition for The Vagina Monologues as it returns to Athens for its 16th year.
The Vagina Monologues uses different perspectives to tell both good and bad experiences that women have faced, said Allie Erwin, a senior studying political science.
This is the first year Erwin is directing the performance, but she has participated in the show since her sophomore year.
“The hardest part is that we’re in a time crunch,” she said. “We have to put everything together and perform literally a month from today (Monday), so it’s intense but exciting.”
Erwin said the Monologues team is hoping to cast a representative and diverse cast of women this year.
One of the best parts of setting up the show is the “table work,” or early rehearsal discussions, because everyone talks about the monologues together, said Katrina Hamilton, theatrical consultant for the show and a fifth-year senior studying psychology and theater.
“There are monologues that can be pretty happy or pretty terrible, and women go through all of those things,” Hamilton said. “It’s great to have a safe and open place to share stories while working together.”
A one-minute monologue is required for the audition, which is open to all OU and Athens women who are 18 or older.
Callbacks will be Friday, Jan. 17 and performances will be held Thursday, Feb. 13 through Saturday, Feb. 15.
While auditioning may be stressful for many, there is no reason to be nervous, Hamilton said.
“Don’t be nervous at all, we love you already,” she said. “We want to get as many people involved as we can.”
@thisisjelli
ao007510@ohiou.edu
