As part of an effort to stop violence against women and girls, the Women’s Resource Center Student Leadership Council and Alpha Psi Omega will be presenting a two-night-only production of “The Vagina Monologues,” a play by Eve Ensler.
Zoe Storey, one of the student coordinators of the production, said the production of “The Vagina Monologues” gives the leadership council the opportunity to raise awareness about issues affecting women while putting together an entertaining production.
“We really wanted to engage the campus and community in a discussion about women and their bodies,” Storey said. “My hope is that by entering a space where conversations about vaginas and women’s bodies is open and encouraged and very safe, women on campus feel safe to talk about their lives.”
Storey said approximately 1 in 3 women will be raped, beaten, sexually assaulted or subjected to violence because of their gender at some point in their lives. She said this is something that affects everyone, directly or indirectly.
“It is a way to unify women in Tuscaloosa and across the world,” Storey said. “Because violence towards women happens everywhere and through talking about it, I hope we are able to empower women to talk about their experiences and I hope we empower more men to join us in the movement against violence against women.”
Bailie Schantz, a graduate student in the department of gender and race studies and student coordinator on the production, said it is important for both men and women to attend, as these issues also affect men.
“We all need to join together in solidarity against violence,” Schantz said.
Storey said the show is informative and delves into a variety of issues women may face.
“While the show covers a huge range of topics about women, a major theme throughout it is different ways women have been subject to violence, raped or even simply belittled for as something as mundane as body hair,” Storey said. “While most men are not violent, do not rape and do not belittle women, seeing the repercussions of these actions will definitely give men a different perspective. And not to oversell the show, but the audience will literally have belly-aching laughs and a few crocodile tears.”
Storey said students, faculty and staff that attend the event can first expect to be entertained.
“My hope is that the audience gains a new perspective on some aspect of women’s lives,” Storey said.
“The Vagina Monologues” will be performed Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for faculty and staff and $10 for community members, and all proceeds will go directly to victim counseling and advocacy services at the Women’s Resource Center.
