2008 Woodie Awards
Vagina Monologues--and more!
V-Day includes male perspectives this year
Jake Blumgart
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Features
"I wanted to be in 'Memory' because the audition pieces were more interesting; they addressed complexities that 'The Vagina Monologues' didn't," said senior Jennifer St. Mary, a veteran of the monologues. "'The Vagina Monologues' are important in their own respect, but men are affected by violence against women as well. It is important to allow a space for men to speak about that."
Every year's performance of the Vagina Monologues includes a spotlight monologue highlighting a specific event that is of particular relevance to the play's themes. This year's spotlight compared the plight of post-Katrina New Orleans to the marginalized status of women in America.
"The more I recited it, the more I realized what an interesting frame (it was) to see the situation in the gulf coast through," said senior Chelsea Simpson, one of the three performers in the spotlight on New Orleans monologue. "The way the city is treated is so different from our idealized notion of it (just like our societal treatment of women). We talk about how fun it is to go and party in New Orleans but when the city is literally drowning we do nothing."
Both plays received equal billing, with "Memory" performed Thursday and Saturday, "The Vagina Monologues" Friday and Sunday. Despite the novelty and excitement surrounding the new play, "The Vagina Monologues" was not neglected by audiences. Bryan Jr. Auditorium, which housed both performances, filled up all four nights.
Both plays were extremely successful, raising $2,300, some of which will be sent to New Orleans. The rest will go to a local beneficiary.
Every year's performance of the Vagina Monologues includes a spotlight monologue highlighting a specific event that is of particular relevance to the play's themes. This year's spotlight compared the plight of post-Katrina New Orleans to the marginalized status of women in America.
"The more I recited it, the more I realized what an interesting frame (it was) to see the situation in the gulf coast through," said senior Chelsea Simpson, one of the three performers in the spotlight on New Orleans monologue. "The way the city is treated is so different from our idealized notion of it (just like our societal treatment of women). We talk about how fun it is to go and party in New Orleans but when the city is literally drowning we do nothing."
Both plays received equal billing, with "Memory" performed Thursday and Saturday, "The Vagina Monologues" Friday and Sunday. Despite the novelty and excitement surrounding the new play, "The Vagina Monologues" was not neglected by audiences. Bryan Jr. Auditorium, which housed both performances, filled up all four nights.
Both plays were extremely successful, raising $2,300, some of which will be sent to New Orleans. The rest will go to a local beneficiary.
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