Vagina Monologues back on campus

By James Hill III

I don't have a vagina, just in case the byline didn't make that clear. As a male, who cannot experience almost all of the subject matter in Santa Clara's production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," some readers might wonder why I am reviewing the famous play instead of a woman. What I discovered by the end of the production was that "The Vagina Monologues" has something to offer everyone.

When I walked into the Locatelli Center I was not quite sure what to expect from the play, co-produced by the Women's and Gender Studies Department and the organization Every 2 Minutes. Some male friends of mine (who, by choice, shall remain nameless) voiced worries that as men, their experiences watching the play would be akin to "being yelled at by feminists for 2 hours," while others didn't really see the appeal or point of watching it. But after seeing the production, I'd like to say that there definitely is a point, whether male or female. As I walked out, I didn't feel the least bit guilty for being born with a Y chromosome.

The introduction to the play set the tone and got the viewer used to the fact that they would likely hear the word "vagina" more in the next 90 minutes than they will in the next 90 days. The revolving door of cast members then took the sparse stage (never fitted with anything more than a few chairs) and ran through a variety of monologues/episodes, including "Because He Liked to Look at It," which discussed a positive sexual experience with a man (see guys, nothing to worry about), "My Vagina is Angry," a memorable and humorous rant from three women about some of the issues ailing their vaginas, and numerous "Vagina Fact" sections: happy, sad and outrageous.

"The Vagina Monologues" was originally performed off-Broadway in 1996 as a series of monologues focusing on the feminine experience, individuality and female empowerment. It consists of a core group of eight monologues along with a large group of others to choose from; Santa Clara's production contained 19, including two new pieces.

View Eve Ensler's performance in the 1992 TV movie.

Inspired by a recent book written by creator Ensler, "I Am an Emotional Creature" was one of the new monologues which focused on the complicated female experience. "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy" detailed the experiences of a sex worker and featured demonstrations of numerous moans. Two more somber monologues were "My Vagina Was My Village," in which two actresses expressed different sides of the oppression experienced by women in Bosnia during its war-torn period, and "I Was There In the Room," which was about Ensler witnessing the birth of her granddaughter.

Auditions were run through the Women's and Gender Studies Department over winter quarter, and a cast of 35 students was chosen. Director Christine Keating said,  "Vagina Monologues" "is not really an activist piece but a piece that inspires people to act." Despite the nature of the production, it hasn't always been easy to hold it on campus.

As recently as three years ago, the "Vagina Monologues" were forced off campus due to protests from conservative Catholic groups, which caused former President Fr. Paul L. Locatelli, S.J., to make the decision that such a controversial play shouldn't be officially tied to the university. Under President Fr. Michael Engh's new administration, the lines of discussion were reopened, and last year, the production was allowed back on campus and performed in the Recital Hall.

This year, Keating, along with producers senior Kandace Audra Arens and sophomore Amanda Dewey, held discussions with Fr. Engh again and called those talks "very supportive." For future years, such discussions will be handled by the Office of Student Life and not the President's Office as "Vagina Monologues" becomes integrated into the standard annual experience here at Santa Clara. The small irony of this year's performance being held in the Locatelli Center (complete with a smiling picture of the late Jesuit witnessing the night's proceedings) was not lost on the cast.

Dewey said that she'd read "Vagina Monologues" in high school and greatly enjoyed participating. She hailed the "cast growth" throughout the production and hopes to continue participating in future years.

Sophomore Melanie Jacobs-Romero, who attended the play, praised the "open atmosphere" and said that she hopes to audition in the future. And freshman Jared Hicks, another male who attended the show with me, agreed that as males, we felt much more "educated" about women's issues coming out of "The Vagina Monologues." The cast theme for the production was "A Community of Vaginas," and whether you are a man or a woman, "The Vagina Monologues" has something that can amuse, entertain and educate everyone.

Contact James Hill III at jhill@scu.edu or call (408) 551-1918.