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Vagina Monologues address sexuality

February 2, 2014

Vaginas.

A topic so rarely talked about in our society was the height of discussion this weekend at the Wharton Center performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues.”

Three sold out performances gave students and local residents insightful information on the female genitalia through humorous and emotional stories.

The introduction was designed to familiarize the audience to the word “vagina,” paving the path for the primary theme of the show, said theatre sophomore Briana Bougard, who was a part of the opening.

“We talk about the use of the word vagina and how it’s sometimes considered taboo and we let the audience know that it doesn’t need to be,” Bougard said.

Once the audience was comfortable with the word, the 21-member cast then began to unravel each of the monologues.

Throughout the two-hour production, tears were shed and jokes were laughed at. The inspiring performance made the audience laugh, cry and wince but ultimately spread important information on women empowerment.

International relations senior Taylor VanTol, who attended the Saturday night performance, said her favorite part of the show was the segment “My Angry Vagina.”

“My Angry Vagina,” detailed some of the torturous things women have to deal with — from tampons to gynecological exams and ridiculous “douching” routines.

Although it was humorous, the monologue gave insight on the differences between what men and women endure on a daily basis.

Other parts of the show were more serious, talking about genital mutilation and rape.

“It is so refreshing to see a show that caters specifically to that discussion and that opens up about the many levels of female biology and sexuality,” VanTol said.

Psychology sophomore Rachel Davis said she was most impressed by the monologue “Wear and Say.”

“Wear and Say” offers a look at what women say their vaginas would wear or say.

“There’s a lot of sexual innuendos which made the whole show more enjoyable for me, but (it) might be uncomfortable for some,” Davis said.

A show dominated by a female audience still had space for the males who wanted to attend.

Zain Shamoon, a human development and family studies doctoral student, said even though the show made him uncomfortable at times, he was satisfied with the production.

“Men always need to be interested in challenging their own privileges by witnessing women,” he said. “Of course (the show) intimidates us, but in a way that should heal us from our own misogynist egos.”

Over the course of three shows, roughly $7,000 to $8,000 were raised, said Kimberly Kaiser, a co-director of the performance. All of the proceeds raised will go toward Sparrow Hospital’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Unit.

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Unit provides medical care and forensic evidence collection for hundreds of victims of sexual violence each year and is a key leader of the Capital Area Sexual Assault Response Team.

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