Play provides labial liberation

Twenty female students stand on a stage in Arellano Theater yelling out answers to the following question: "If your vagina could speak, what would it say?"

Looks like it's time for another performance of Eve Ensler's legendary play, The Vagina Monologues.

Sophomores Sarika Talve Goodmanand Elizabeth Gilbert are directing this year's production, which has been performed on campus annually for the last four years. Both of them performed as actresses in last year's production.

"I don't think there's any show in history that has had so much of an effect so quickly," said Gilbert. "It's really a phenomenon."

The play's rights are in the public domain, which means it can be performed for free, unusual for a play of its stature and quality.

While the show is being performed in honor of "V-Day" which raises awareness about violence against women, the show is also about opening up its viewers to different types of sexuality and removing barriers to topics often not spoken about.

"It's not a play that victimizes women, it's more a celebration of what we all are, and how great we all are," said Talve Goodman.

The show is comprised of a series of monologues of women talking about, well, their vaginas. Orgasms, tampons and toys are some of the subjects discussed in the lighter episodes. Others deal with the emotional and physical traumas suffered by victims of sexual abuse and rape. Proceeds from the show are being donated to the House of Ruth, which helps battered women.

Ensler based her play on about 200 interviews she did with women from all over the world about their sexual histories and feelings. The monologues of the characters are based on compilations of these real women. The play was first performed off-Broadway in 1996.

Many of the actresses featured in this year's version had never acted before deciding to tryout for the show, for which about fifty women auditioned. Gilbert emphasized that acting experience was not important to their casting decisions.

"It's not supposed to be acting, it's about storytelling. They should try to substitute these women's lives for their own. It's almost like a documentary piece," she said.

The subject-matter, while taboo to many in public circles, acted as a liberating force for these actresses.

"The material is intensely personal and universal. Every single woman can relate to it in one way or another," said senior Nina Haldipur.

Junior Grace Gallick feels the play is important for the issues it brings to the forefront.

"I liked the idea of taking the discussion of ??"femaleness' back into the public discourse," she said. She admits to having her own issues with the word ??"vagina'. "Even I find it hard to say," she said. "I'm not sure the word can ever be rescued."

Freshman Siobhan Paganelli tried out for the play by chance after she accompanied a friend to the auditions. She was a little anxious after being selected for the show.

"It was a complete shock at first and I didn't know if I could do it. But when I thought about the cause, I couldn't refuse," she said.

Paganelli, who is a first-time actress, doesn't feel her lack of experience has hindered her. In fact, she believes it has helped her and others connect to their parts.

"I think when you have first-time actors, it's almost more real to them. It's just about this one person who you're getting to know so intimately," she said.

Sophomore Kate Heffernan admitted that it took time to get accustomed to some of the material.

"There are things I say in this play that I would personally feel uncomfortable saying," she said. "But there's also a lot of lines where I feel like saying ??"you're so right!'"

Junior Loandra Torres, who was also in the show as a freshman, felt her second time in the show was very different than the first.

"I was open but not used to talking about those things initially. Now I'm definitely more comfortable talking about rape or women's violence," she said.

While some may feel that things have progressed enough so that sexual subjects are no longer hidden, one actress has had a different experience.

"I didn't think it was as taboo as it used to be, but after talking to some people about it, they were really weirded out," said sophomore Dana Asbury.

A special addition to this year's production is an opening dance-routine choreographed by sophomore Anton Marino, and performed by him with Amanda Frenecki. Marino, who performs under the stage name of Elora Frost, joined the show because he identifies strongly with its message about breaking down gender roles.

"What I want people to understand is the line between gender and sexuality are miniscule, but people make a big deal out of it," he said. "Whether you're a man or a woman, you're entitled to respect. It's about being an individual, not what's between your legs."

At one of the final rehearsals on Sunday night, the women listened intently to the delivery of each other's monologues, clapping loudly after each part was completed. Many of the actresses say they developed close bonds over the course of the show and that the show has opened themselves up to topics that they never felt comfortable before discussing with other women.

Above all, Talve Goodman believes the show is about acceptance and improving interpersonal dialogue.

"It's a real opening for the kind of cultural change that will make our community safer and more loving," she said.