(THE PICKET)- Most people I know don’t like to hear the word vagina, it brings up a lot of uncomfortable things, but is also attached to my identity as a woman. This is the type of thought that went into the writing and creating of The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler originally performed in 1996. It continues to be relevant and needed today.
Shepherd University will be presenting its own VDAY performance, even of the Vagina Monologues, this Friday and Saturday Feb. 26-27, at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. Proceeds from the performance will benefit the Shenandoah Women’s Center. The show voices ideas about how we as woman see our vaginas, what they mean to us, and how abuse and society shape our dealings with this very personal part of ourselves. It uses examples of rape, abuse, ridicule, but also love and acceptance.
Under the direction of Nicholas Etheridge and Anne Lewin, a group of eight Shepherd university females take us on a journey through looking at vaginas and what they mean to modern woman and the issues we face.
These girls are true and devoted to the spirit of Ensler’s original concept giving us their full emotions, bringing forth laughter and crying. Keria Cale gives us the true impressions of women with a past embarrassment that still haunts her in “The Flood.” Kristie Wooten makes us laugh and cheer as we learn to reclaim the word cunt. Blair Cherelstien brings tears of regret for a still very present issue in “They Beat the Girl Out of my boy-Or So They Tried.” Come out and show your support this weekend. This is a show for every woman and everyone who wants to support a woman in her journey.
Jessica Sharpless is a staff reporter for The Picket and can be contacted via email at jsharp02@rams.shepherd.edu