“Vagina:” a word often unused or replaced because it makes many squeamish and uncomfortable. On Valentine’s Day, EFFECT is embracing this word with “The Vagina Monologues” for a third year in a row.
Elon University is one of the many schools around the country that uses Valentine’s Day as a way to introduce empowerment to people, particularly females, through this show. Elon’s 2016 rendition will be directed by Emily Collins.
The monologues were created in 1996 by playwright and feminist Eve Ensler. The episodic play shares real-life stories Ensler heard when she interviewed women of all cultures and ages, touching on topics like sex, love, masturbation and menstruation.
The stories in the show range from illicit subjects, including a personal story called “Because He Liked to Look at It,” to other stories about experiences with sexual violence.
Freshman and “The Vagina Monologues” actress Shay Friedman called the show an emotional whirlwind with lots of dark humor.
“In one monologue you’ll feel confused, then in the next you’ll laugh and in another you’ll cry,” Friedman said, “It’s about experiencing your emotions.”
The show stresses the importance of embracing feeling and loving yourself.
“One of the acts is called ‘I Am an Emotional Creature’ and it’s okay for us to agree to this and let our emotions show,” she said. “‘The Vagina Monologues’ really are about becoming comfortable with your body and what it means. It’s about not making the word ‘vagina’ so taboo.”
Friedman said one of the biggest lessons she learned from working on the show is that the word “vagina” isn’t something students should be afraid to talk about, even though it is often avoided.
“I never used to say the word out loud,” she said, “In our first meeting, our director said, ‘You will become extremely comfortable with vaginas throughout this process.’ It’s important that women know that they don’t need to be shamed for these things. Women can come to this and see that there is power and joy in the vagina.”
Friedman is not alone. Junior Rebekah Richin, who is also performing in this year’s production, acknowledges that the word “vagina” is often shyed away from and can really intimidate people.
But, she still wonders about what’s actually wrong with the word “vagina.”
“I know the word turns people off but they shouldn’t be too intimidated by the name and not come,” Richin said. “People should come to the show with an open mind. After I saw my first show, I was transformed and open to talk about my sexuality.”
This year’s play, like in years before, will touch on tough subjects like rape. But unlike other years, we can expect one of the newer monologues — performed by Richin — called “They Beat the Girl Out of My Boy... Or So They Tried,” as the show is updated every two years with new content.
This act includes five women in total, all playing a transgender woman. The actors will use the scene to discuss their experiences of being transgender.
“It’s so important, especially since transgender topics have come to the forefront this year,” Richin said.
According to Richin, the show is educational and opens up the dialogue of some topics that are hardly discussed.
“We should be talking about this stuff,” she said. “The women on stage are open and extremely confident and we all should be too.”
While both Richin and Friedman expect a primarily female audience, they both hope to have a mixed-gender crowd.
“Guys should feel like they’re welcome to come,” Richin said. “It’s really educational, so I think it’s important for guys to come.”
Performances are at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 14 in Whitley auditorium.Tickets are $5 at the door and proceeds will benefit CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center.