Vagina. Go ahead: giggle, blush. We’re all adults here, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all have some of that grade school humor lodged in there somewhere. Vaginas deserve more than a titter, though, which is why Guilford students have come together for 11 years-running to celebrate vaginas and everything they represent.
Every year since 2000, in celebration and support of V-Day, members of the Guilford community put on a production of The Vagina Monologues, in addition to A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer. Both are written by Eve Ensler.
All the monologues are based on interviews from hundreds of women across the country, and each relates to the vagina.
In 1998, Ensler helped launch “V-Day,” a global non-profit for women’s anti-violence groups. V-Day performances of The Vagina Monologues take place all over the globe from Feb. 1 to April 30, often with the goal of raising money for rape crisis centers and similar resource centers for women. This year, seniors Christie Atlee, Je’Lissa Fowler, and Erica Bailey are directing the Guilford productions.
“I wanted to do it because I enjoyed the shows so much last year, and because I wanted to find within myself a deeper connection to my womanness and, frankly, to my sexuality,” said Atlee in an e-mail interview. “Last year, being in The Vagina Monologues, I felt more in tune with being a woman than ever. This year, I have never been so proud to be a woman, and I have never been so inspired by a group of people on this campus.”
“I got involved because I see myself in the Vagina Monologues,” said Fowler. “In some monologues, I see my story, my awakening, myself coming into myself, and I know there are other women (and even men) who feel the same.”
Sophomore Maddie Holland attended the monologues last year and intends to go again this year.
“I liked the skits in the beginning because they were funny,” said Holland. “I also liked how it progressed to a more serious note. It was a show that left you feeling good because you’re amused, but at the same time you were definitely contemplative upon leaving.”
Former student, Starlet Tetteh, attended the plays last February and expressed similar sentiments.
“I could identify with a lot of the characters and I enjoyed that,” said Tetteh. “I came out with this ‘vagina-power’ kind of feeling, which was cool. I just wanted to admire my vagina.”
For students who think that this year’s performance may be no different than last year’s, Fowler said that this year’s production will have its own flair.
“This year’s production will definitely be different than last year’s,” said Fowler. “We know that people often say, ‘I’ve already seen it, I don’t need to see it again’, but we really encourage people to come and see our interpretation of Vagina Monologues and MMRP.”
With names like, “My Angry Vagina” and “Reclaiming Cunt,” the monologues promise to be both empowering and entertaining.
“They (the audience) can expect to laugh, and they can expect to cry,” said Atlee. “Both shows have pieces that hit home for everyone … you can’t help but connect with the raw emotion the actors are putting out for the audience to see. It is authentic and moving, and I’m sure that many audience members will feel very inspired by the true passion shown by our cast.”
First-year Jodie-Ann Geddes was lured into the cast by director Baily after performing at an open mike. “I enjoy the dress rehearsals where you can listen to the way the cast uniquely embodies each piece,” said Geddes. “People who attend shall expect truth, this show is beyond my thoughts, and feelings, put into words.”
“My favorite part so far has been understanding myself in light of a
new character,” said senior Paul McCullough who is part of this year’s cast. “The folks running the show have been wonderfully patient with me as I’ve worked to memorize lines and figure out who my character really is.”
Starting Feb. 10, there will be two showings of MMRP and three showings of The Vagina Monologues in the Bryan Jr. Auditorium. The show is free, though there is a suggested donation of $3. There will also be a post-play discussion hosted by Sexual Assault Awareness Support and Advocacy.
“I think people can expect to have their views challenged, their minds expanded, and hopefully even do some self reflection,” said Fowler.