‘Monologues’ open dialogue

Students and faculty perform ‘The Vagina Monologues’ to highlight women’s experience

MIRANDA LAPSON

Staff Writer

mul563@psu.edu

A sweeping hush settled over the auditorium as the blinding overhead lights dimmed to a warm red hue. Three women took their places on the stage, and when the spotlight ignited, they began the show.

“I bet you’re worried,” freshman Aimee Hill said.

“We were worried,” shrugged freshman Kaitlin Gabbidon.

“We were worried about vaginas,” finished sophomore Maria Slater.

Whispers and muffled giggles rippled in the back of the room. The shock and novelty of hearing such taboo words evoked the childlike giddiness of those in attendance.

“The Vagina Monologues,” written by Eve Ensler, was brought to the Penn State Beaver auditorium Feb. 13 by Romina Holder, coordinator of student activities and residence life. The show consists of a selection of monologues capturing the experiences of women from all walks of The Roar/Scarlet Cisneros

Zelma Daye performs her part during ‘The Vagina Monologues’ Feb. 13.

life. The mission of the production is to bring attention to the stigma around women’s sexual and reproductive topics.

From the heavy to the beautiful to the shocking, these tales united the women that heard them, reminding them of the fact that they are not alone.

Among the topics covered, the piece titled “They Beat the Girl out of my Boy… Or so They Tried” told of the reality that many trans women face in their lives. This monologue, narrated by junior Zelma Daye, Slater, Associate Professor of Spanish Robin Bower, sophomore Tylai Smith and Hill, vividly described the violence, isolation and pain that trans women are exposed to during their transition journey.

“They beat me for it. They beat me for crying. They pummeled me for wanting,” Hill said during the scene. Bower said that she hopes the exposure to a production like this will help people to expand the way they think regarding these topics. “Conversation is important when it comes to marginalized and oppressed bodies, and that applies to not only women, but trans people as well,” she said.

Sexual assault and violence towards women also held a large stake in the content of the monologues. In “My Vagina was My Village,” Director of Academic Affairs Carey McDougall recounted the drastic shift in perspective a woman had after experiencing violent sexual assault. This particular story highlighted the lasting effect that such assaults can have on victims.

Smith returned to the stage to perform “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could.” The monologue jumps among the memories of a young girl who grew up experiencing various forms of sexual trauma.

“People who are victimized as a child are more likely to be victimized as adults,” said Stacie Scheel, who has been working with the Women’s Center of Beaver County for 20 years. “Most times you can be standing next to a survivor and you’d never know.”

Scheel explained her excitement surrounding the production.

“This is the first time a production like this has been brought to Beaver County. We had a really nice community turnout as well,” Scheel said. “Survivors are the strongest people I know,” Scheel said. “Respect, ask, believe the victims. That’s the most important thing.”

‘The Vagina Monologues’ cast features, from left to right, Claudia Tanaskovic, Grace Coleman, Carey McDougall, Jo Sharpe, Robin Bower, Malaysia Wallace, Kaitlin Gabbidon, Zelma Daye, Aimee Hill, Maria Slater, Ramiya White, Heaven Bowman and Tylai Smith.

The Roar/Scarlet Cisneros