“The Vagina Monologues,” a play consisting of several short speeches meant to instill pride in women, will premiere Friday at MSU for the 13th consecutive year at 8 p.m. in Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre. The monologues focus on inspiring women in spite of hardships such as violence and sexual abuse.

This year’s production has partnered with V-day, a local nonprofit organization attempting to end violence against women, to raise money from ticket sales to build a women’s crisis center for victims of rape and domestic abuse in Lansing.

As someone whose loved ones have been affected by abuse, Fluegeman said the play drives the point home.

“It’s about being conscious of the big elephant in the room that sexual assault is and getting people to be vocal about it,” she said. “It’s really important that we get the message about sexual violence on campus — 1 in 4 women between the ages of 18 and 24 will be the victims of attempted rape.”

Political science sophomore Abby Craft, an actress in the play, relates to the experiences portrayed and finds confidence in them.

“I’ve found that with all the monologues, I’ve either experienced what they’re going through or know someone who has,” she said. “It’s cool to listen to the power behind the voices of the women when you hear their stories. It makes me proud to be a woman.”

Fluegeman said she looks forward to seeing the audience’s reactions to the comedy in the show.

“I like the humor behind it,” she said. “The really hysterical moments catch people off guard, and they’re taken aback by how funny the show can get. There’s some pretty serious parts, but for the most part it ends on a pretty optimistic note.”

Global and area studies sophomore Mikole Levran said she would like to see the play so she can share the concepts with girls in the summer camp she works for annually.

“I’m interested in the ideas of feminism and women in power,” she said. “I’d like to hear what they have to say and share it with the girls to inspire them.”