Play will raise money for Congo survivors

IU’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” this weekend will seek to liberate women and their V-spots.  

Sixteen women star in the show, each with her own episodic monologue that delves into issues such as sex and feminism.

Eve Ensler wrote the original “Vagina Monologues” in 1996. She interviewed various women about their vaginas and wrote a play based the interviews, said Gabrielle Reed, producer of the 2009 IU Vagina Monologues. The show debuted on Broadway in 1998, Reed said.

After Ensler performed in the show, she started the International V-Day Campaign that would help end domestic violence against women and girls through fundraisers like productions of “The Vagina Monologues.” According to the official V-Day Web site, the “V” in V-Day stands for “vagina,” “victory” and “valentine.”

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Middle Way House, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence, and the International V-Day Campaign.

Each year there is a different spotlight for the cause. In 2008, the focus was Women in Katrina. This year, the campaign is raising money to help women and girls of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The money will go to women from the eastern regions of the Congo who have survived the violence of war.  

IU’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” last February raised around $7,700, Reed said. Although there is no exact goal for this year, Reed said she would be happy if the proceeds exceed last year’s. She is hoping for $8,000.

Senior Emily Patterson, director of IU’s production, said “The Vagina Monologues” has a broad range of characters based on women aged six to 72 years old, but certain audiences are encouraged to see the show.

“I would love for fraternities to come to the show,” Patterson said. “This year’s vision has a more humanistic take on the show. It is about the vagina and about human beings and people. It’s about the fact that one experience can change who you are.”  

She said the production will also feature some selected optional monologues, including one titled “They beat the girl out of my boy, or so they tried.”

Patterson said this monologue will run in the show because of Bloomington’s sexually diverse community.

“We picked this one because it embodies transgender and transsexual individuals,” Patterson said.

Sophomore and cast member Anna Blankenberger said she found the emphasis on issues with the word “vagina” particularly liberating.   

“It’s very freeing to be in the show,” she said. “It’s very different to talk about vaginas. If I talked about it in real life, it would be considered harsh. I can do it in the show and make an impact on people.”