Spartan Daily

'Vagina Monologues' uses comedy to end women's violence

Sierra Duren, Spartan Daily

Alissa Fraone performing “My Angry Vagina,” one of the comical pieces at the benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues on Sat. in Tower Hall’s Morris Dailey Auditorium.

“(The play is) open and inclusive to all genders, ages, races,” said Chara Bui, a senior environmental studies major.

The play is based on the book of the same name written by Eve Ensler, which is a compilation of over 200 interviews of women and girls about their vaginas, conducted by Ensler herself.

The basic premise of the production is to raise awareness and end violence against women and girls.

All proceeds from the show go to YWCA Rape Crisis Center, AACI Asian Women's Home and Women and Girls of Haiti.

Yan Yin K. Choy, a senior environmental studies and anthropology major and actor in the play, said that this was her third year taking part in the show and that last year the Vagina Monologues raised $4,500.

Bonnie Sugiyama, assistant director at the Women’s Resource Center, said the whole movement has been great to prevent violence to women and girls.

“The participants in the play, have either experienced violence or had someone close to them experience violence,” Sugiyama said.

The Women’s Resource Center is a support base for female and feminist students to improve the campus atmosphere, according to the department’s website.

“I think the play is monumental in the way it conveys messages, I think this play’s message is relevant for men and women,” Sugiyama said.

The stage setup had four rows of chairs seating all the actors who stayed on stage; those who were supposed to speak stood at the front.

The show began with three actors recalling the numerous euphemisms for a vagina, the relevancy of the terms would be brought up in the following stories.

The actors performed naturally for the most part — a few of the actors forgot their lines or began their performances a bit nervy.

As the show went on there was a deliberate rhythm in the storytelling, the stories transitioned effortlessly when the spotlight turned off.

Some of the notable performances came from Eva Roa as the elderly woman in “The Flood”; “My Angry Vagina” performed by Alissa Fraone; the Congolese woman in “What if I told You I Did Not Have a Vagina” performed by Irene McCalphin; “Reclaiming Cunt” performed by Katherinne Rodriguez and “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy” performed by Lauren Doyle.

“The Flood” is a story of sexual discovery and a humiliating incident that marked a woman’s sexual experiences for most of her life.

“My Angry Vagina” involved a woman who was displeased with female hygiene products and medical procedures as unnecessary and foolish.

“Reclaiming Cunt” was notable as being the only monologue which encouraged audience participation.

The production did a good job of balancing the emotional meter of the stories, there was not too dark and not too light at any point in the show.

For those behind the scenes, they see the play’s impact as having a far greater effect on society past the theater stage.

“It’s bringing awareness to everybody, not just students. It’s great that we can show it on campus and spread the word,” said Chris Hernandez of the Women’s Resource Center.

Actors, like Eva Roa said they are fans of Ensler’s work.

“What Eve Ensler has done is brought awareness…this play is meant to inspire action,” she said.

Though most of the audience was female, the audience responses to the actors on stage were consistent — laughter or silence when it was appropriate to the tone of the monologue.

Bui said she encourages students who are interested in helping out with activities to get involved with the Women’s Research Center.