“The Vagina Monologues” is a play that was written by Eva Ensler in 1996. The show is compiled of a series of monologues based on the true testimonies of real-life women regarding their experiences of living with a vagina.
As an addition to the play, Ensler, with the help of others, launched the global, non-profit movement V-Day. The goal of V-Day is to end violence against women by raising money through “The Vagina Monologues.” Each year, there is a spotlight for V-Day that focuses on one specific issue within the realm of violence against women, serving as an extra level of awareness. The show acts as a powerful political piece that not only sends a verbal message, but actively serves as a platform for monetary contributions to battle the injustices of the real world.
I asked Shannon Ryan, Augustana’s V-Day organizer, to describe the show to me. Here’s what she had to say:
“The show will bring topics that are not talked about often, or are made to be taboo, to the center of attention. This show vocalizes and demands rights for all women, brings needed attention to difficult subject matters that are especially relevant today, and creates an environment of empowerment, self-love, and love for women from all walks of life. The topics of the monologues will cover a variety of subjects such as love, sex, menstruation, rape, female genital mutilation, orgasm, and birth.”
The show will feature Augie women performing both individually and in groups. “The Vagina Monologues” is a fun and meaningful show that Augustana will have performed for 14 years after this upcoming performance.
Shannon also told me, “All of the proceeds from ‘The Vagina Monologues’ will go to Quad City Family Resources’ Rape Crisis Center and the national V-Day Spotlight Fund. This year’s V-Day Spotlight is raising awareness and support for the victims of violence against women in the workplace.” Now that the show is being performed all over the globe, it serves as a platform for people to discuss the realities of vaginas. The message of “Vagina Monologues” is the reclaiming of our female genitalia as a means of empowerment. No woman should be ashamed to say the word “vagina,” “clitoris,” or “labia” out loud. These words are parts of the female body, not derogatory terms.
The shows will be performed Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th at 7:30 pm in Wallenberg Hall. Tickets are $9 at the door. Students looking to buy tickets ahead of time can visit the table in the Brew where tickets will only cost $6 with an Augie ID. They can also purchase tickets in advance through the Augustana Ticket office online. Following the show, Augie’s ETU will be having a companion performance titled, “Not Your Mother’s Vagina Monologues” in the Heidi Honkamp Black Box in the Brunner Theatre Center. The show will begin at 9:57 pm on Friday and 10:02 pm on Saturday. There is also a special performance at Rozz Tox on Sunday at 8:03 pm. Admission is free with an optional donation that would go to the Standing Rock legal defense and aid fund.
Please go see some awesome ladies perform this weekend, as it’s a powerful event to experience. Power to the vaginas!