The Journal

Issue date: 3/3/05 Section: News

Media Credit: KATIE WINDMANN / The Journal An ensemble cast of Webster students performs Eve Ensler´s "The Vagina Monologues."

Media Credit: KATIE WINDMANN / The Journal Erin Hill expounds about her "angry vagina" March 1.

Fourteen Webster women who have no misgivings about the importance and relevance of their vaginas presented "The Vagina Monologues" to an enthused audience March 1. The UC Sunnen Lounge was packed with 220 people as cast members moaned, screamed and told the stories of women and their private parts.

"Monologues" is a constantly evolving play written and created by Eve Ensler. Webster students, however, made it their own during the performance. As Karalynn Miller performed "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," she mimicked the diva moan, the African-American moan and the almost moan. But she added a little Webster variation, moaning while saying, "I need to study."

Erin Hill presented "My Angry Vagina," which addressed why society tries to oppress vaginas with feminine hygiene products. She also wondered why going to the gynecologist was such an unnecessarily cruel experience.

"Why the flashlight up there like Nancy Drew and shit?" asked Hill, whose monologue was one of the favorites.

Chris Parr, associate professor of religious studies, said the most effective part for him was the conversation about how horrible it is to go to the doctor.

"Guys have no idea," he said.

Parr was definitely in the gender minority during the performance, but said he was completely comfortable with all the vagina talk. Other men in the audience, and most of the women, did not find the play shocking.

The individual monologues explored topics such as vaginal liberation, abuse and confusion. To break up the longer pieces, the eight performers addressed questions such as what vaginas would wear and say if they had the opportunity. The performers presented plenty of options, but females in the audience had ideas too.

"My vagina would probably say 'Get with it' and wear All-star tennis
shoes and diamonds," said Ariel Volpert, a freshman directing major.

Although the play strives to break down the societal taboo surrounding the word vagina, it also brings attention to wider issues of female violence and oppression. The play discusses female genital mutilation, rape and victims of war. Donations from the event will benefit the women of Iraq and the YWCA St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center.

The cost to get in the door was $5, and other donations were accepted. Vagina magnetic poetry was also sold. Just with the price of admission, the group raised at least $1,100.

Liz Hansen, the organizer of the event, is familiar with some of the criticism that "Monologues" has received over the years, but that didn't phase her.

"I see it as a way to discuss issues," she said. "Women have vaginas and so often people don't want to talk about it."

Some of her cast was nervous, and had to get used to saying words like "twat" and "Mushmallow."

"We had different levels of confidence and that played a part in the roles we played," said Miller, who cast members say was a natural for the moaning bit.

The play has caused controversies at other schools, where it has been restricted. Uganda banned the play, calling it porn. No one at Webster's production, however, seemed offended.

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