Listen Up

GAMBIER, Ohio (March 10, 2011)

A play that was inspired by everything vagina returns to Kenyon on March 24-25.

The Crozier Center for Women presents The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. Thirty-three female students will perform monologues that share real accounts of women from around the world discussing their vaginas -- touching variously on birth, love, mutilation, orgasm, rape, and sex.

The themes offer the audience a diverse show where big laughs, difficult realities, and self reflection are guaranteed. The monologues share celebration, sentiment, complaint, and anxiety that every audience member can relate to, even when they least expect it.

"There are very serious issues explored in The Vagina Monologues, but there are also really funny portions of it, too," said Emily Wolfe '11 of Los Angeles, who is directing this year's production with Sarah Jenkins '12 of Flat Rock, North Carolina. "We try to make the tone very casual and accessible," Wolfe said. "It should be a community event, one that everyone feels comfortable attending."

Some women at Kenyon may roll their eyes at the mention of The Vagina Monologues, weary of hearing about a play that celebrates their vaginas. Many of the issues posed in monologues are not new to women in a young, liberal community like Kenyon. Yet the purpose of the play is larger than the effect on individual audience members. "Creating a dialogue about women's bodies, experiences, risks, and more is important, regardless of how 'aware' you are," Wolfe said. "It's unfortunate, but many women still don't feel comfortable talking about their bodies. The Vagina Monologues creates this discourse for women."

The play was written and first performed in 1996 by Ensler, an accomplished playwright. The monologues are based on interviews Ensler held with more than 200 women. In an interview, Ensler said, "The story of your vagina is the story of your life, and women want to talk about their lives." The monologues explore and celebrate female sexuality, while also revealing the vulnerability women experience.

The Vagina Monologues inspired the V-Day movement, a non-profit grassroots effort that began in 1997 and is dedicated to ending violence against women all over the world. The monologues are performed not only to spread awareness about women's issues but also to raise money for organizations that help fight for women's rights. Proceeds from this show benefit New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter and women's programs in Haiti.

The Vagina Monologues will be performed on March 24-25, at 8:00 p.m. in the Horn Gallery. Student tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the door. Non-student tickets are $5. Contact crozier@kenyon.edu for more information.

By Cate Flanagan '11