Every woman has one but few talk about it. To counterbalance that tendency, ETSU’s Women’s Studies program, OASIS program and Division of Theatre and Dance reprised their production of “The Vagina Monologues” April 8-10 at VA Memorial Theatre. “This performance is about diversity and difference,” said Dr. Amber Kinser, the director. “It is a story about being up in front of an audience and taking control of women’s sexuality in a way that is unabashed.”

Playwright Eve Ensler wrote the play, published in 1998 and performed off-Broadway in 1999-2000, to celebrate women’s sexuality, but she says she changed it to combat violence against women.

“We are focusing on bringing the stories of these women to the world,” said Ensler in one of her performances of “The Vagina Monologues.” “These stories must be told if we are going to stop this from happening again.”

Ensler and her colleagues interviewed hundreds of women and from the conversations she developed monologues. Each performance has a core set of monologues that are performed and a few optional or additional monologues that can be performed.

The ETSU production incorporated seven actresses. “The Vagina Monologues is special because it was written by a woman, for women,” said actress JJ McCullough, a junior English major. “It allows women to unite on common ground and learn something about others and, in turn, themselves.”

The audience did not encounter elaborate sets or costumes. In fact, the only props were seven stools. “It’s a very simple show,” said Kinser, the chair of the ETSU Department of Communication, who co-directed the Monologues this time with Camielle Reed, an ETSU sophomore theater and dance major. “The emphasis is on the monologues and not the acting.”

The audience at the VA Saturday night was comprised of mostly women but was not absent of men. “I think it is an important piece that needs to be performed at ETSU,” said senior Matt Brewer, assistant director of this production. “It is not often that female sexuality, or sexuality in general is spoken about in such a matter of fact way in Northeast Tennessee. I was excited to be a part of it.”

To produce a show, a performing group must meet several criteria. The production must always be a benefit fundraiser. This year, proceeds from the ETSU production of “The Vagina Monologues” will benefit the Safe Haven Center in Jonesborough, a nonprofit organization that provides services for victims of sexual violence.

During the week of the play and before and after performances people were encouraged to participate in the All Male Bake Sale, with all proceeds going to Safe Haven Center.

“Planning educational and fundraising events to coincide with ‘The Vagina Monologues’ has been both gratifying and inspiring,” said Katie Baker, an ETSU graduate student. “I think the on- and off-campus communities have been very receptive to our efforts, and I know the productions were a huge success.

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