|
'Monologues' to speak out
By Samantha Johnson/Contributing Writer
Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" is no longer only a play. It is a social movement, and it is once again returning to SCSU.
"Monologues" is set to open at 7 p.m tonight in Kimberly A. Ritsche Auditorium. This is the second consecutive year that "Monologues" has been performed at SCSU. Last year's performance was co-sponsored by the university's Women's Center and the response was so overwhelming, they couldn't wait to bring it back.
It is no coincidence that the production is taking place on Valentine's Day. V-day is a worldwide movement to stop violence against women and girls and to proclaim Valentine's Day as the day to celebrate women and demand the end of abuse. V-day is also a day for which annual theatrical and artistic events are produced around the world to raise money and transform consciousness. "Monologues" is often the centerpiece of these theatrical events.
The first V-day was on Valentine's Day 1998 in New York City and featured celebrities such as Winona Ryder, Calista Flockheart and Whoopi Goldberg. Since then, V-day has grown immensely and in 2001 was celebrated on over 300 college campuses around the world and at Madison Square Garden.
Lisa del Villar, a senior communication studies major, who had a small part in last year's production, is excited to repeat the experience. She finds the "Monologues" experience to be empowering to women, whether they are acting in the production or attending the show. After viewing responses to last year's show, del Villar was impressed by the outcome.
"I saw so many women feeling like they could talk about things they couldn't talk about before,"del Villar said. "It's almost as though the show gave them permission."
"Monologues" consists of approximately 12 monologues, based on interviews Ensler conducted with hundreds of women, regarding different issues that women and girls face throughout their lives. The show originated as a one-woman show starring Ensler, but has since escalated into an off-broadway sensation and favorite forum of many female celebrities looking for a chance to display their stage skills and honor their feminist leanings.
Del Villar said the show is full of emotion.
"You'll laugh, cry, cringe, gasp, be uncomfortable and go through an entire range of emotion while watching," she said.
Angela Kruchten, a 19-year-old SCSU freshman, says she's ready for that. She's heard some things about the "Monologues" and is hoping to leave the performance with "a sense of empowerment and a knowledge of how certain issues affect people differently."
"Monologues" appeal does not only extend to college-age women. Bobbi Brehmer, 41 of St. Cloud is planning to attend the production with her daughter Jami, a college freshman. They are both excited about the performance.
Brehmer admits that she knows little about the actual content of the show, but is very curious.
"In my day," she said, "Mothers would never talk to their daughters about this stuff, so even at my age, I have a lot to learn. I'm glad that Jami and I will get a chance to experience this together."
Although a majority of the audience will most likely be female, don't be surprised to see some males in attendance also.
Rick Miller, 23 is planning to buy tickets for himself and his girlfriend. He said that his girlfriend has seen the show before and is excited for them to see it together. Miller has not seen the show yet, but hopes to get a "more enhanced perspective on female issues."
He also said that from what he's heard about the play, he thinks he'll really enjoy the presentation of the play.
"I like the idea that it is based on monologues, and that the performers are speaking to the audience rather than to other actors," he said.
This year's performance at SCSU is being organized by Nicole Asselin, a student at Bennington College in Vermont. She is currently interning at the Women's Center on the SCSU Campus. She thinks "Monologues" deals with important issues concerning women and supports what the campus Women's Center stands for.
Tickets for the performance are available at the Women's Center. The cost is $5 or $3 with an SCSU ID. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Anna Marie's Women's Shelter and the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, both in St. Cloud.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
