Act 1: April 8, 2016 at 8 p.m. Act 2: April 15, 2016 at 3 p.m.
Contents: Page 2: Director’s Note Page 3: Why the Liberation Monologues? Page 4: Act 1 Pieces and Performers Page 5: Act 2 Pieces and Performers Page 6-10: Cast Bios Page 11-12: What Does Liberation Mean to You?
Thanks to... The Women and Gender Studies Program for its generous support, and folks from SAGE and the Women and Gender Studies capstone class for their assistance and encouragement. Page 1
Director’s Note: We came together with a vision: to revamp the Vagina Monologues with a more inclusive, more progressive vibe. The original show, written in the 90’s by activist and author Eve Ensler, had a mission to revolutionize how we think about our bodies and the vagina, and to break apart the stigma of the word. Since then, it was criticized for its lack of representation of all experiences of women, and ignoring the voices of LGBTQ folks. Simply put, intersectionality was missing. We wanted to create a show that challenged that, and brought light to experiences that not only vagina-owners but all marginalized groups face. I pulled essays and poems from online authors, The Coming Out Monologues, the Vagina Monologues, and the books Ophelia Speaks and I Am An Emotional Creature. We cannot tell the stories of every person and every experience, but we hope that our show can resonate with multiple intersectional communities. Thank you for coming, thank you for hearing us, and thank you for being a part of social change. In solidarity, Director Lexi Achterhof (she/her/hers)
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Why the Liberation Monologues? Work for social justice is an evolving process that requires mindfulness, correction and change. This monologue is a testament to that process. In portrayals of our human experiences with our bodies, inclusion of many voices is vital. With inclusion in mind, we present a reworked monologue performance in the vein of the Vagina Monologues and the Coming Out Monologues. We may not be able to represent the experience of every type of person in these two performances, but we hope you’re able to recognize pieces of yourselves in each piece regardless. In solidarity, Director Lexi Achterhof (she/her/hers) Co-Producer Jasmine Stefansky (she/her/hers) Co-Producer Kai Niezgoda (they/them/theirs) Page 3
Act 1: Hair: Sydney Lambdin
Either/Or: Ash Alexander
First Kiss: Autumn Gairaud
What I Wish I Could Say To My Mother: Sydney Lambdin
The Memory of Her Face: Jamila Ayoubi Jak Grubbs I Was 12. My Mother Slapped Me: Jasmine Stefansky Jamila Ayoubi Megan Loney Lexi Merchant
Happy Fact: Autumn Gairaud Dark Corners: Delany Lemke My Angry Vagina: Kathleen Trombley Page 4
Act 2:
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The Flood: Megan Stinson Maurice: Lexi Achterhof Reclaiming Cunt: Megan Loney It’s Not a Baby, It’s a Maybe: Lexi Achterhof My House is Wallpapered With Lies: Autumn Gairaud Lexi Achterhof Lover: A Queer Monologue/Poem: Cameron Draves Groceries: Jasmine Stefansky Happy Fact: Megan Stinson I Have 35 Minutes Before He Comes Looking For Me: Megan Loney Megan Stinson
Cast & Organizer Bios: Lexi Achterhof (she/her/hers)
Lexi is a senior studying Women & Gender Studies and Sociology. She co-directed the 2014 and 2015 Vagina Monologues, and wrote and directed the Liberation Monologues in 2016. An artist, poet and activist, Lexi is a third-year member of Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates, and her passion lies in working with survivors and advocating to end sexual violence. She’s vice president of Voices for Planned Parenthood and has been a member of the group for 4 years. A lover of soft beds, camping, pizza and all the science fiction movies ever made, Lexi can be found outside or in her bed with a pile of books.
Kai Niezgoda (they/them/theirs)
Kai is a senior studying Women and Gender Studies and Public Relations. They co-produced The Liberation Monologues. They value community, compassion, empathy and justice, which lends to their leadership in Students Advocating Gender Equality, Transcend and the Office of LGBTQ Services. A writer, graphic designer, singer-songwriter and self-identified pansy, Kai would probably be successful as a solo ukulele-style Blink-182 impersonator. Page 6
Jasmine Stefansky (she/her/hers)
Jasmine is a senior studying Hydro Geology and Environmental Science. She is the co-producer of the 2016 Liberation Monologues and is performing “Groceries” and “When I was 12...” She joined the production “to be part of something that embraces and pushes towards equality and brings awareness to the reality of current opression of certain groups of people.”
Autumn Gairaud (she/her/hers)
Autumn is a junior Women’s Studies and Family Studies double major. Autumn is performing “First Kiss,” “My House Is Wallpapered With Lies,” and “Happy Fact.” About the performance, Autumn says, “The monologues are powerful and it’s so important for people to hear these stories. I am so excited to be a part of sharing them on our campus!”
Megan Stinson (she/her/hers)
Megan is a sophomore studying Political Science, Dance, Economics and Creative Writing. She is performing “The Flood” and “35 Minutes.” Megan says: “I love being apart of a production that is meant to educate as well as entertain.” Page 7
Megan Loney (she/her/hers)
Megan is a 2014 graduate who majored in Family Studies and minored in American Sign Language and Psychology. “I believe everyone should experience this show at least once in their life,” she said. “It can be a real, eye-opening experience and I’m proud to have been apart of the cast for 3 years.” Megan is performing “I Was 12...,” “35 Minutes” and “Reclaiming Cunt.”
Kathleen Trombley (she/her/hers)
Kathleen is a junior studying Family Studies and Substance Abuse, who is performing “My Angry Vagina.” Kathleen says: “I have seen videos of The Vagina Monologues from the past, and I think they are so moving and empowering. They bring so much light and education to topics that people are too afraid to talk about. I can only hope to inspire someone in the audience to participate in future events and feel comfortable with being their true self.”
Jak Grubbs (they/them/theirs)
Jak is a senior studying Psychology, Child Development and Communication Disorders. They’re performing “to speak up through art about issues facing women and the queer community. Jak’s piece is “The Memory of Her Face.” Page 8
Jamila Ayoubi (she/her/hers)
Jamila is a senior majoring in Women and Gender Studies and Psychology. She works as an advocate for a crisis text line and is involved in Students Advocating Gender Equality. This is Jamila’s first time performing in the monologues. She is performing “I was 12...” and “The Memory of Her Face.”
Delany Lemke (she/her/hers)
Delany is a sophomore in Creative Writing. “These stories are powerful,” she says. “These stories deserve our time and attention and love. These stories deserve to be shared with others. I’m so proud to help amplify the voices of marginalized people. Delany is performing the piece “Dark Corners.”
Lauren Ouellette (she/her/hers)
Lauren is a sophomore studying Communication and Event Management and working toward an East Asian Cultural Certificate. In her words, “I participated last year in the Vagina Monologues and it was an inspiring experience. I enjoy acting and exposing others to important issues.” Lauen is performing “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy.” Page 9
Ash Alexander (she/her/hers)
Ash is a fourth year German Language and English student. This academic year, she served as co-president of Students Advocating Gender Equality and president of Transcend. Ash is performing “Either/Or.”
Sydney lambdin (she/her/hers)
Sydney is a junior in Psychology and Childhood Development. In her words: “I love working with a powerful group of women* to spread laughs and empowerment.” She’s performing “Hair” and “What I Wanted to Tell My Mother.”
Lexi Merchant (she/her/hers)
Lexi is a sophomore in Biomedical Sciences. “I saw the Vagina Monologues at the capital building in Lansing as a 16 year old,” she says. “This performance had a huge impact on me. I’d like to give that to other people.” Lexi’s piece is “I was 12...”
Cameron Draves (he/him/his)
Cameron is a sophomore and an Environmental Studies major. He’s performing “Lover” because “As a transgender man, discussions that involve gender identity are interesting to me.” *Note: not all performers in this year’s production are women. Page 10
Being able to freely express oneself and one’s ideas without fear of harm or backlash from others.
What does Liberation mean to you? Page 11
Freedom to define ourselves and our own identities. The celebration of visibility and acceptance of everyone who has been oppressed.
The ability to exist without fear of judgment.
A society where we can all be our full selves without fear or harm. Freedom from restricting beliefs and thoughts.
The ability to be exactly who you are, every day with everyone you meet.
Liberation is self-love.
To obtain freedom after being beligerently caged closed for so long.
The freedom to do what you want, be who you want, and to stand up for what you believe in.
Complete freedom after a time of oppression. Getting rid of things in your life that are oppressing you and holding you back, and finding personal freedom.
Being able to be who you are shamelessly and and being unapologetic for who you are.
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Students Advocating Gender Equality cmusage@gmail.com facebook.com/cmusage
[Image: logo with SAGE spelled out in block letters, and gender symbols on the ends of the letters]