Upcoming 'Vagina Monologues' ready to raise awareness of women's social stigmas
Women’s issues and the secrecy and stigma surrounding them will be brought into the public's eye in this year’s Central Michigan University production of Eve Ensler’s "The Vagina Monologues."
The play addresses women’s sexuality and the social stigma surrounding rape and abuse.
Based on 200 interviews of women of all ages, sexual orientations, races and backgrounds, the play has been a popular production, on and off Broadway, since 1996.
Hannah Mollett, an Ortonville junior and SAGE president, is involved in the direction and production of the show this year. SAGE, Students Advocating Gender Equality, advocates on behalf of women on campus.
Mollett said people can expect, for the most part, the play they know and love, but some aspects will be different.
"There are two new spotlight monologues," Mollett said.
The show will run Friday through Sunday. The first two days of shows begin at 7 p.m. and the finale starts at 3 p.m. All shows will take place in Anspach Hall, room 161.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 for students and $6 for the general public. Proceeds will benefit the Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates group on campus.
The play is told through personal narratives of topics including rape and sexual aggression, among others, and has been described as being equal parts funny and serious.
Actors in the play are not just members of SAGE or SAPA.
Mollett said an event like "The Vagina Monologues" is important to an environment like a college campus because it helps bring to light a lot of issues that are not openly discussed.
“It is important because it helps spread awareness," Mollett said. “We’re doing a lot of work on women’s issues. And we’re working to make campus safer for women.”
Troy junior Kate Dickerson said she feels events like "The Vagina Monologues" can have the effect of raising awareness about women’s issues on college campuses, which is greatly needed.
“There are attempts to raise awareness,” she said, “but unfortunately, (stigma about women's issues is) so relevant in our generation. This event could help.”
