The Vagina Monologues – Coming Soon!

Kenworthy Theater, downtown Moscow

The Women’s Center is presenting its 10^th annual V-Day benefit production of Eve Ensler’s celebrated play, The Vagina Monologues, Feb. 2-4 at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in downtown Moscow.

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. The campaign includes the performance of creative events such as plays, readings, documentary showings, and educational “teach-ins” to increase awareness, raise funds, and revitalize existing organizations that advocate for an end to gender-based violence.

The Vagina Monologues Once Again Brings Laughter and Tears to Moscow:Review

Kristen Carey

Last Friday, the Kenworthy Theater once again opened its doors for this year’s production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues.  It was full of people waiting in anticipation of what was sure to be a spectacular show.

Heather Shea Gasser and Lysa Salsbury, the show’s producers, started the night off by giving recognition to not only the hard working cast and generous sponsors but also to the organizations that would be benefitting from the performances’ proceeds.  This year, ten percent all ticket sales went to the international V-Day Campaign while the rest were split between Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and Fanm Kouraj.

Fanm Kouraj, or Courageous Women, is an organization started by Haitian school teachers to end violence against women and children within Haiti.  Much of the activism done within the group is the performance of theater pieces and workshops that educate on sexual health and sexuality.  This year’s spotlight monologue “Myriam” was dedicated to the memory of Myriam Merlet, the founder of National Coordination For Advocacy On Women’s Rights who was tragically killed in January 2010 Haitian earthquake.

The Cast of the The Vagina Monologues

Erin Fenner

The Vagina Monologues is coming up this weekend on February 4 and 5 at 7pm and February 6 at 2pm. I went to the rehearsal, and talked to the cast about their experiences working on the play.

Haitian women beneficiary of a portion of Vagina Monologues’ profits

Erin Fenner

Women from LaGonave

As part of Fanm Kouraj, Nancy Casey has been going to LaGonave, a small island off the coast of Haiti to help local women take an empowering role in their life. Fanm Kouraj helps Haitian women raise chickens, produce goods to sell and establish economic independence. They also take a strong stance in ending sexual violence against Haitian women. They started by helping women put on plays that exhibit this violence and bring light to it as a fundamental problem.

“The problem is no longer that all this stuff is hidden, but that it’s not addressed,” Casey said.

Beyond awareness, Fanm Kouraj is now trying to take an active role in stopping the violence.

The Women’s Center is helping Fanm Kouraj by donating a portion of the Vagina Monologues’ profits to the organization.