Editor’s Note: Kristin Salaky, the Culture Editor of The Post, will be performing in The Vagina Monologues.
Students will take the stage this weekend hoping to empower women and support charity with the annual production of The Vagina Monologues.
“The Vagina Monologues is a series of monologues in which each girl goes up and does their own monologue,” said Emma Wright, a senior studying anthropology and a first-year performer in the show. “It’s a series of stories about women and their experiences with their vaginas, ranging from happy, to sad, to funny; there’s a lot of categories.”
The Ohio University Women’s Center will present the play this weekend in Baker University Center Theater on Thursday and Saturday and in Glidden Hall room 480 on Friday.
Eve Ensler originally performed this women’s rights production, based on her book in which she collected hundreds of interviews about others’ experiences as women.
Like most performances, much work went into preparing for this event. The performers spent hours practicing to put on the best show.
“We have been rehearsing for a few weeks now,” Wright said. “It’s going to be great. It’s such a good show.”
Though the name may be brash, The Vagina Monologues has a powerful message to share.
“The Vagina Monologues is meant to empower women,” said Katrina Hamilton, a senior studying psychology. “It’s meant to help stop the violence that happens against women all over the world.”
Ensler’s book has inspired women since the book was first published in 2001.
“I read the book about three years ago,” Hamilton said. “When I saw the performance I was just amazed by it. Then next year I auditioned, then performed, and I’ve been in love with it ever since.”
Besides the powerful message The Vagina Monologues sends, the production will also donate to charity. This year’s proceeds, including the admission cost and the T-shirts sold, will go to the organization My Sister’s Place.
“My Sister’s Place is a wonderful organization,” said Sarah Chadwell, a senior studying international studies. “It’s a women’s home, that women can go to safely, and secretly if they are feeling unsafe in their current location.“
The performers all agree that it is a meaningful cause and are excited to put on such a great show.
“As long as just one person takes away something from the show it’s a success,” Hamilton said.
@annachristine38
ag836912@ohiou.edu
This article originally ran in print under the headline: "Established play sheds light on women's rights"
