The 30 female cast members of The Vagina Monologues won over audiences at the Palace Theater with moving performances that showed the beauty, hilarity, and hardships associated with being a woman.
Eve Ensler wrote The Vagina Monologues after interviewing 200 women across the world about their sexuality. More than 10 years later, the racy and witty collection of pieces is an Obie Award-winning production that has been translated into 45 languages and performed in 120 countries.
Angie Chapman ’10 (a k a Angelica A.) directed the all-student cast for Thursday’s and Friday’s shows after successfully directing last year’s shows.
“I realized how much The Vagina Monologues coincided with a lot of things for me — my progression as a woman and becoming empowered,” explained Chapman. “I was more than happy to take the job.”
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| Emily Ha ’09 performs during The Vagina Monologues at the Palace Theater. (Photo by Luke Connolly ’09) |
Lexi Ross ’10 was inspired to try out for Chapman’s cast after attending a Women’s Studies Brown Bag.
“I have not performed since I was six years old. I was so scared, but I’m glad that I decided to do it.”
Ross, who performed a monologue titled Because He Liked to Look at It, said the topics ranged from funny to serious to racy.
“It was an interesting transition each time, but it gave a well-rounded approach,” said Ross.
The shows created a connection between performers and audience members that went beyond the Palace stage.
“I like the connection that I feel with women at IJʿ and around the world when I engage in The Vagina Monologues,” said Chapman. “Because it happens both on campus and around the world, it creates a more global perspective.”
The Vagina Monologues supports women in ways beyond awareness.
Proceeds from the IJʿ performances went to various women’s charities. Forty five percent went to Vera House, Syracuse Area Domestic Violence Coalition. Another 45 percent went to the Liberty Resources’ Victims of Violence Freedom Fund in Madison County and 10 percent went to help women of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Women of Congo are the main beneficiaries of this year’s celebration of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls founded by Ensler.
“The concept [behind V-Day] is that we’re going to keep complaining and fighting until the violence stops,” explained Chapman. “We need to keep the initiative going.”