Time to Talk Monologues
Written By Asia Howe
Eve Ensler, creator of The Vagina Monologues
Photo courtesy of www.eveensler.org/about-eve/
“I think that anytime you get clear about what your mission is, or what your focus wants to be, things start to come together in your life.” – Eve Ensler
Once again, as the caption of a February 12, 2008 University of Hawaii at Manoa article declares: “The Vagina Monologues Return to Hilo.” While seven years separate this feature from the current production, the episodic play is still going strong at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo)—with a good reason to be. The author of the article, Alyson Kakugawa-Leong, reports the purpose behind The Vagina Monologues is to “respon[d] to … domestic violence, rape, child abuse[,] and sexual assault.” Juanita Perez, the production manager for the stage show, asserts, “We at the UH-Hilo Women’s Center feel very passionate[ly] about ending all types of violence, not just violence against women.”
The production manager for this year’s Vagina Monologues, Perez is a junior and psychology and communication double major. “The Vagina Monologues (TVM),” she acknowledges, “is not your typical play; Eve Ensler and The V-Day movement are very particular … [about the] performance. The most important thing they ask of us is to stress that we are activists first and performers second and they recommend a minimal number of practices (three to four) so [the cast does] not seem theatrical when … sharing these stories. They also recommend that the cast become familiar with the backstory of their monologue.”
The cast consists of fifteen females—the youngest being fourteen and the eldest being sixty-six—and promises to be quite diverse. Six of the fifteen are UH Hilo students with fields of study such as communication and psychology. “Every year, through every performance,” Perez goes on, “we … watch our cast, each special in their own way, blossom and grow, as they become empowered. This year is no exception, with three quarters of the cast never having attended TVM, let alone star in one. They all bring their unique backstories, and it is an honor to watch them grow. I hope that our cast will take with them a feeling of sisterhood and empowerment [in addition to] a sense of warmth [and] compassion. [I also hope they take with them] the wisdom to accept that no one has to fight their battles alone.”
This year’s Vagina Monologues advertisement
Photo courtesy of hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/womenscenter/
Perez acknowledges, “Being the Production Manager of such an amazing program is an honor and privilege. I am constantly challenged as I embrace this leadership role, develop key skills in time management [and] organization, and be[come] a more effective communicator. Two of the most important items I am utilizing outside of TVM are time management and organization. Being a full-time, [double major] student, a mother, a [self-employed] employee, and a volunteer keeps me on my toes, affording me the opportunity to test and hone my skills.”
“The Vagina Monologues stand for an idea that I am very passionate about,” Perez concedes when asked what she brings to the show. “Being a survivor of domestic violence, I have spent the last four and a half years working to remove the stigma [attached to the term] “victim” while learning to embrace my power and the term. I can relate to several of the monologues, and I know I am not the only one. I look forward to the opportunity to introduce more and more people to TVM.”
“The goal of TVM is to raise awareness about violence,” the junior finishes, “and spark a flame in the hearts of our audience, a fire that will spread beyond the theater walls and into the community as they take a stand against violence.”
TVM tickets, TVM shirts, and vagina lollipops from the UH Hilo Women’s Center were sold until February 27. Students may reach the Women’s Center at uhhwomen@hawaii.edu or (808) 932-7381. Students can find out about upcoming events here.
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