The Eve Ensler episodic play “The Vagina Monologues” delves into why “vagina” has been labeled a dirty word, as nicknames ranging from “vajayjay” to “hoo-ha” become more abundant in today’s society and Michigan state representative Lisa Brown was prevented from speaking on the floor to Congress during an abortion debate last June after she said the word.
The Manship Theatre will host a benefit performance of “The Vagina Monologues” tonight. The play is presented by The Baton Rouge Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response Center, or STAR.
The play first premiered in 1996 and has been coaxing audiences to discuss topics like sex, menstruation, masturbation, rape, the birthing process and everything in between ever since.
Racheal Hebert, executive director of STAR, has been helping to organize the play for the past six years. She first became involved during her time at the University in 2007 when she was a member of the student organization Women Organizing Women, now known as Feminists in Action.
She said the play was compiled by Ensler, who is a survivor of rape herself, to learn about the global epidemic of violence against women and why the word “vagina” is still taboo.
“Eve went around the world and sort of collected different women’s stories on their body experiences, their identity with their body and with their vagina,” Hebert explained. “A lot of the stories kind of range [in mood] — some are happy, some are sad, some are sarcastic and very funny and some actually talk directly about sexual assault and domestic violence.”
Hebert said it’s interesting how the play has remained so poignant more than 15 years after its inception. She noted even today when she talks to people about these topics, women are still shy or nervous about adding “vagina” to their vocabulary.
Typically, the play includes about 10 to 13 monologues, and a spotlight monologue is added each year. The spotlight monologues generally focus on a relevant or modern issue. According to Hebert, this year’s spotlight will be about the relatively new campaign One Billion Rising. The movement aims to unite the estimated billion women who have been victims of either sexual or domestic abuse. It also encourages others to become proactive about ending the hatred and disrespect of the female gender.
Hebert said although the play focuses primarily on the issues women face, men are welcome to attend as well.
“We always encourage men to attend because, you know, it’s about sexual violence and women’s issues, but these are issues that affect everyone, not just women,” Hebert said.
Along with reclaiming the word “vagina,” Hebert said “The Vagina Monologues” and STAR try to clear the name of feminism.
“Feminism is, even though people don’t like to admit it, it’s still a little taboo. … Feminism has become just an outdated word. People don’t think there is still a need for the feminist movement,” Hebert said.
She went on to recite statistics contradicting the idea that feminism is no longer necessary.
“If you look at the demographics of our Congress, where only 17 percent or 20 percent are women, there are a lot of inequalities still in existence,” she said. “I think feminism and especially Women’s History Month and things like ‘The Vagina Monologues’ really bring that conversation into the public.”
“The Vagina Monologues” will be performed at 7 p.m. tonight at the Manship Theatre. Student tickets are $20 and tickets are $25 for the general public. All proceeds will go to STAR.
“Feminism is, even though people don’t like to admit it, it’s still a little taboo…and I think that feminism has become just an outdated word. People don’t think there is still a need for the feminist movement.”
