Vagina monologues let women bare it all
Performance deals with issues of relationship violence while keeping students laughing through funny skits
Marin Mueller
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: The Mix
Who needs the wisdom of philosophers when you have a vagina? Such, at least, is the attitude portrayed by the women performing in the Women Students Association's 2008 production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues."
On the nights of Feb. 29 and March 1, 19 women bravely bared it all (metaphorically speaking, at least) for the purpose of raising awareness, not just about the relationship women share with their "coochie snorchers" but more importantly, to garner support for the eradication of violence against women.
How, exactly, can a piece that refers to the vagina as "Mongo," "Totita," "Mimi" and, of course, a "Vajayjay" all in one scene simultaneously address a subject as serious as relationship violence?
The show's organizer, fourth-year print journalism student Karissa Lindsay explained, "You have to reach people where they are. If I can get someone to come to the show thinking 'Oh, they're going to talk about vaginas, that's funny,' and then impart a more serious message upon them, then that's a success."
The actresses were able to balance their unique personalities with the universality of the play's intended spirit. In "My Angry Vagina," Sophia Jackson shined, coming off as ironically likable while she yelled about true societal menaces: gynecologists and thong underwear. As strange as it sounds, the reason Jackson didn't sound bitter or crass was because her complaints didn't sound as though they were her own. Instead, Jackson was simply a messenger for her vagina, allowing it to speak through her.
Still, not all vaginas are full of contempt for society. Mary Tablac playfully brought the innocence back to the vagina in "A Six-Year-Old Girl was Asked …" After over an hour of frank, unabashed talk about sex, the vagina and various forms of violence against women, Tablac reminded the audience of the lighthearted, pig-tailed, barefoot innocent side of all vaginas. Although it hardly lasted a full minute, the performance stood out, not only in content but also in the mood it brought to life.
On the nights of Feb. 29 and March 1, 19 women bravely bared it all (metaphorically speaking, at least) for the purpose of raising awareness, not just about the relationship women share with their "coochie snorchers" but more importantly, to garner support for the eradication of violence against women.
How, exactly, can a piece that refers to the vagina as "Mongo," "Totita," "Mimi" and, of course, a "Vajayjay" all in one scene simultaneously address a subject as serious as relationship violence?
The show's organizer, fourth-year print journalism student Karissa Lindsay explained, "You have to reach people where they are. If I can get someone to come to the show thinking 'Oh, they're going to talk about vaginas, that's funny,' and then impart a more serious message upon them, then that's a success."
The actresses were able to balance their unique personalities with the universality of the play's intended spirit. In "My Angry Vagina," Sophia Jackson shined, coming off as ironically likable while she yelled about true societal menaces: gynecologists and thong underwear. As strange as it sounds, the reason Jackson didn't sound bitter or crass was because her complaints didn't sound as though they were her own. Instead, Jackson was simply a messenger for her vagina, allowing it to speak through her.
Still, not all vaginas are full of contempt for society. Mary Tablac playfully brought the innocence back to the vagina in "A Six-Year-Old Girl was Asked …" After over an hour of frank, unabashed talk about sex, the vagina and various forms of violence against women, Tablac reminded the audience of the lighthearted, pig-tailed, barefoot innocent side of all vaginas. Although it hardly lasted a full minute, the performance stood out, not only in content but also in the mood it brought to life.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
paul
posted 3/03/08 @ 11:45 AM EST
I haven't seen this play as of yet, If I can I will. One comment, not to down play the attempts here of the problems face from birth to death, but when you try to get across to a society that has been fed a daily scene of violence and sexual deviate material since they could sit up and watch, it seems the impossibility to get across an understanding through this play. (Continued…)
Marin
posted 3/03/08 @ 1:57 PM EST
Paul,
I appreciate your concern for the efficacy of the play and certainly agree that ending violence against women isn't something that will happen simply because we hope it will. (Continued…)
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