The Center for Gender Equality kicked off the semester by putting on “The Vagina Monologues,” an episodic play written by Eve Ensler that celebrates female sexuality in all of its complexity and mystery.
The cast members performed real women’s stories of intimacy, vulnerability and sexual discovery.
The Vagina Monologues has been performed in cities all across America and at hundreds of college campuses in a movement to stop violence against women. The evening was filled with individual performances that ranged from both light-hearted vaginal humor to topics with a more solemn message.
It was surprising that there were so many names for the female genitalia such as “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could” performed by senior Sarah Tomscha.
The audience was also taken into the career of a sex worker in senior Coco Kapfer’s jaw-droppingly hilarious performance of “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy.”
Junior Shannon Carlson reminded us that not all taboos are as horrible as they seem. She helped us to reclaim a long standing slang for the word vagina.
Other pieces, such as “Hair” performed by junior Kathleen Rohde, took on more serious themes revolving around the sexuality of women.
This particular production was unique in the sense that “The play changes views on vaginas, they almost always seem to have a negative connotation,” said CGE representative, freshman Esbeida Ramos. “The Vagina Monologues helps to show that they’re not a big deal, it’s something that women have, and the play helps everyone to accept vaginas for what they are.”
Another CGE representative, Kiersten Iwai stated, “Other than laughter, people should feel more open about talking about vaginas.”
Overall, “The Vagina Monologues” was an eye opening experience for not just males or lovers of women, but everyone who went to see it.
“The Vagina Monologues” was performed in the Tom Miles Theatre from Feb. 7-9. The play was sponsored by the Center for Gender Equity and Department of Theatre and Dance and directed by Caitlin Quinn.
The cast included Tessa Porzelius, Brian Kyaw, Claire McMahon, Sarah Tomscha, Deanna Edwards, Kelsi Gammon, Shannon Carlson, Kathleen Rohde, Coco Kapfer, Shelby Thurman and Jenelle Taylor.
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