Directed by juniors Emily Bantelman and Olivia Knowlden, Women’s Action Coalition presented “The Vagina Monologues” from Feb. 1–Saturday Feb. 13 at the Knight Spot. Eve Ensler wrote “The Vagina Monologues” in 1996. Ensler conducted a series of interviews with women, specifically asking them about their experiences with their vaginas. The result is a number of poignant stories, ranging in theme from slut-shaming to love to sexual abuse.
In the monologue entitled “Flood,” sophomore Jenna Lawson gave a hilarious and touching performance as a 72-year-old woman whose “down there”—as she called it—“had to go” after a fight with cancer. Another memorable performance came from sophomore Marley DeRosia, whose character in “Because He Liked to Look at It” has a sexual encounter with a man who loves vaginas.
Freshman Courtney King added her own comedic twist as she walked into the audience during “The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy” and sat on the lap of an audience member, momentarily breaking character with a laugh to tell the audience, “This is my sister.” Her bit added a much needed sense of authenticity into the performance.
After the show, there was a talkback session where the audience had the chance to have a conversation with a panel consisting of cast members, directors and members of the WAC executive board.
One audience member inquired about the way the show was staged. The cast members were seated throughout the audience during the show, offering snaps and encouraging words to their fellow actors who were performing on stage. When the narrator—senior Beth Wrisley—was on stage to introduce the next monologue, the cast members would often be engaged, offering comments or—as in the case of “The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy”—sexual moans.
“We wanted to give the show a very tight-knit feel,” Knowlden said. “Anyone you see in the audience could have a story to share. We didn’t want it to be a show so much as it is a story.”
Additionally, there was a discussion inspired by the monologue “My Short Skirt” about public school dress codes. Performed by sophomore Emily Bayhan, “My Short Skirt” is a statement against slut-shaming and victim-blaming, ending with the powerful line, “My short skirt and everything under it is mine.”
Audience and cast members alike recounted stories of being sent home for not abiding by their high schools’ dress codes. “I actually directed ‘My Short Skirt’ because it’s my favorite monologue in the whole show,” Bantelman said. “I just have such a problem with people telling you what’s sexual in your own body and what isn’t.”
Another question came from the issue about diversity in the show. “There’s been a lot of criticism since [“The Vagina Monologues”] came out about lack of diversity,” WAC president junior Jes Heppler said. “Monologues have been removed and added over time.”
One of the monologues that was added is “They Beat the Girl”—performed by freshmen Abi Kahl and Hunter Simms—which tells a powerful story about transgender women. It was first performed in 2004 by an entirely trans cast. Another addition since 1996 is “My Vagina Was My Village”—performed by senior Harneel Aujla—which tells the haunting story of a Bosnian woman’s rape.
Heppler noted that while there may not be as much diversity as they would like, the cast members, directors and WAC members all recognize the need for a variety of stories and perspectives in the show. “There’s a big difference between this woman who seems like she went into [sex work] for fun and people who go into sex work to survive because they can’t find other work,” she said. “That’s a big thing for trans women.”
This performance of “The Vagina Monologues” offered a fresh and unique spin on a well known production, bringing an important message of self-acceptance and awareness to the campus.