On Feb. 22 and 23, ETSU will be presenting a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues as part of the “V-Day 2003: Until the Violence Stops College Campaign.”
The Vagina Monologues, sponsored by ETSU’s Women’s Studies Program in collaboration with the Division of Theatre, is part of a national campaign to raise and donate proceeds to local organizations working to stop violence against women and girls.
Proceeds from the ETSU show will go to Safe Passage Inc. and Shepherd’s Inn shelters. It is directed by Amber Kinser with Maegan McNerney and Jonathan Taylor as assistant directors.
ETSU’s Monologues cast includes Nadie Anne Fanta of Dickson; Allison Guinn of Erwin; Julie Roberts of Gatlinburg; Jennifer Rose Savery of Johnson City; Rebecca Schaffer of Louisa, Ky.; Carrie Smith of Kingsport; and Niche Vereen of Durham, N.C.
“The Vagina Monologues is such a liberating piece because it emphasizes the importance of women loving themselves just as they are and, from there, finding contentment,” said Julie Roberts.
“Women need not be ashamed of their bodies … we are beautiful,” said Carrie Smith.
The internationally acclaimed and Obie award-winning play originally was started by Eve Ensler. Now it has grown from an Off-Broadway hit into an international cultural event performed in over 40 countries and has been translated into over 35 different languages.
Ensler based the play on over 200 interviews with a very diverse group of women from around the world. She decided to talk to women about their vaginas. The result was The Vagina Monologues.
The professional productions alone have raised over $5 million to date, and in 2003 V-Day hopes to give away over $10 million to the funding of these groups.
As many as 660 colleges have already committed to be a part of the V-Day 2003 event including nearby communities such as Maryville, Knoxville and Nash-ville, as well as in neighboring states like North Carolina and Virginia.
The evening’s events will include an “All Male Bake Sale” which male students, staff and faculty will bake for and operate.
The bake sales coordinator, Pat Cronin, is looking for volunteers to run the bake sale for the three performances. Men interested in helping should contact Cronin at patcronin0@aol.com.
The play will be held in the Bud Frank Theatre located in Gilbreath Hall. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved by calling the communication department. Everyone is invited to attend.
For information concerning The Vagina Monologues or events of the like, please contact Kinser at 439-7571 or visit www.etsu. edu/womenstudies/vagina_monologues.htm.
“Part of the idea behind the play is that we have to change how we talk about women’s bodies and how we feel about them if there is ever going to be a change in how we think about and treat women,” said Kinser, who is director of Women’s Studies.
“The Vagina Monologues promises to be a delightful evening of discovery and celebration for women and men.

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