By Kendalyn Johnson
The KU Women’s Center hosted the showing of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 at Schaeffer Auditorium.
Eve Ensler was the woman who wrote these monologues to support violence against women. She went around the world, interviewing women about taboo subjects and used those stories to influence others.
The Vagina Monologues were first performed in 1996. These performances show true stories of women and what they have gone through relating to struggles, strength and survival of woman who face violence.
KU had students reenact these stories that portrayed the real emotions of the women behind them. These powerful pieces are sponsored by the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and the KU Women’s Center.
KU student, Meghan Wilcox, is part of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and participated in reenacting a woman’s experience. Her act was about short skirts and how wearing one does not mean she is inviting sexual acts upon her. She feels passionately about this movement and said “I feel that it is extremely important to portray other women’s stories.”
Director of the Vagina Monologues, Rachel Hamilton, said “I encourage couples to go see this show because it can spark something, making them think about things that most people don’t talk about…Everyone should come see these powerful stories because it drives passion and makes people want to do something good.”
Before going to this showing, one may not realize the different situations that women go through in their lifetime. It is an inspirational show that has the power to greatly impact others, as well as show awareness of the things women go through.
There were serious roles that the students reenacted as well as funny ones in between, that kept the audience’s attention. The entire crowd seemed pleased with the whole performance.
KU has been hosting this powerful event to create awareness about violence against women annually since 2000.
For students who are interested in getting involved in the next performance of the Vagina Monologues, the auditions will be held in November of 2016. For more information, visit the Women’s Center located in Old Main room 126.
