‘Monologues’ returns

Dean Poling
The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA Sat, May 17 2008

— Last year, when Valdosta State University Women’s and Gender Studies sponsored Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues,” no one knew what to expect.
Would the Obie-winning play be accepted in Valdosta? Would it stir controversy or protest?
It had been difficult to find enough VSU women to audition and perform in the show. Would anyone attend the performances?
The 2007 production of “The Vagina Monologues” spurred no controversy. The show was not only welcomed, but attracted sold-out audiences for all three performances. For each show, people had to be turned away.
So this year, with only two performances scheduled for this weekend, VSU Women’s and Gender Studies moved the production to the larger venue of the VSU Science Building’s auditorium.
And finding performers was no problem, say directors Tracy Meyers and Sarah McCalister. This year, more than 20 area women auditioned for roles in “The Vagina Monologues,” and they have spent the past couple weeks preparing for the performances.
“The Vagina Monologues” is “based on real women’s stories so it allows women who hear the stories to know that they are not alone in their own experience,” according to information on the play. “It helps people who have experienced violence heal. It inspires people — women and men — to get involved in V-Day’s efforts to stop violence against women and girls.”
V-Day is another concept surrounding “Monologues.”
“V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions,” according to Meyers and McCalister. “V-Day strives to empower women to find their collective voices and demand an end to the violence that effects one in three women in the U.S and around the world. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina.”
The V-Day concept has raised more than $50 million and raised awareness with millions of people.
Ensler based her play on interviews and stories from more than 200 women who discuss “their memories and experiences of sexuality and that it is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery.” The play became an immediate sensation, playing New York to tremendous success.
It is presented in traditional readers theatre format, meaning that the performers bring each character to life by reading directly from the script with little or no movement.
And “Monologues” also changes from year to year. While some key portions remain unchanged, Ensler often adds new monologues, with a new focus on a specific issue. This year’s spotlight campaign is on the “Women of New Orleans,” hurricane survivors referred to as “Katrina warriors.”
As for the local production’s performers, only one returns from last year’s shows. Only a few have ever been in a theatrical production prior to this experience. They say they have found experiences in the script which they have experienced or have discovered insights which resonate.
“The Vagina Monologues” will likely resonate with local audiences again.

THE CAST: Samantha Bryant, Candise Carten, Britney Chappell, Danise Costello, Breena Duren, Nakita Dziegielenski, Celena Ellis, Amber Friis, Jena Hood, Alanna Meadows, Jana Missildine, Sandy Naglack, Alvinette Patterson, Kirsten Ponsell, Tahirah Pope, Sarah Riggle, Desiree Thompson, Christy Vice, Jesse Whitten, Meghan Woods.
DIRECTION: Tracy Meyers, Sarah McCalister.

SHOWTIME
Valdosta State University Women’s and Gender Studies presents “The Vagina Monologues.”
* When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
* Where: Auditorium, VSU Science Building, VSU campus.
* Tickets: $10, general public; $5, students. Advanced tickets available at Carswell Hall and UC Sociology Office.
* More information: Call 249-4842.

Photos