Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Vincent Beiderbecke Mayette Villanueva, a freshman theatre major, rehearses for the 'Vagina Monologues' on Feb. 1. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Vincent Beiderbecke Elizabeth Rowell, a graduate psychology student, rehearse for the "Vagina Monologues" on Feb. 1 in the Studio Theatre at Sacramento State. Audrey Nicoll-Johnson will be directing the Sac State three-day performance. [Click to enlarge]

Eighteen women portraying different personalities will explore what women really think about their vaginas in the "Vagina Monologues" at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the University Theatre, located in Shasta Hall.

The university will host what will be a six-year tradition of the Vagina Monologues on campus.

The entire profit will go to the fight against violence toward women locally and internationally. The revenues from this show are the only independent funds to go to the violence and sexual assault support services on campus this year and in the last five years. Admission is $10 for students or $15 for non-students.

First-time director Audrey Nicoll-Johnson will be directing the "Vagina Monologues", which will show her unique portrayal of the famous play by Eve Ensler, who is also the creator of V-Day.

Nicoll-Johnson said she was grateful and excited to have the opportunity to direct the "Vagina Monologues."

The entire cast is made up of Sac State students and staff. V-Day helps support awareness of violence toward women across the world.

Referring to violence in other countries, cast member Mayette Villanueva said, "Not a lot of people know about what really goes on outside, what they see on TV or hear on the news. People need to hear about that, and it needs to be brought to their attention, and I think this play helps them see that a lot more."

V-Day happens every February in as many as 300 college campuses in the U.S. and all around the world. This has grown since 1997 when the event first came about.

Last year, the event sold out on campus. Nicoll-Johnson is expecting a huge turnout this year as well.

Each year, Ensler gives the rights to her play to college campuses under the condition that the show will only go on for three days and all proceeds benefit organizations that fight violence against women.

Ensler's generosity has made a difference in the contribution of other campuses.

Eighty percent of the proceeds from the event will go to the SHARE institute and the Women's Resource Center to help women who have been victimized through violence.

The other 20 percent of profits will go to the international cause to help fight violence against women.

The international proceeds contribute to different causes each year. Last year, the proceeds went to women in Iraq.

Women's Resource Center Coordinator Patricia Grad said proceeds from the annual event usually total around $5,000.

Grady, who has seen about 25 different versions of the "Vagina Monologues," said, "It's a wonderful experience. Monologues range from hilarious and funny to tearful and sad."

The cast members practiced 20 hours per week and had a lot to say about their performance.

Tasha Anderson acts out the monologue called, "Because You Like to Look at it."

Anderson said she was concerned about the taboos of the play and said, "A lot of people don't want to see the play because they think it's man-bashing. It's about loving women."

Her monologue is about a woman who has a great experience with a man and learned to love herself. Anderson said, "She believes she is beautiful because of a man's influence."

The casting crew was full of giggles at Thursday night's rehearsal. Cast member Rachel Rickard said, "What other time do people get to talk about and listen to women's vaginas?"

Camilla Aceves can be reached at
features@statehornet.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools