'Monologues' draw attention to issue of sexual violence

It gets mixed reactions -- shock and surprise are most common -- but once people understand what it is, they're interested to learn more about "The Vagina Monologues," a collection of interviews that celebrates sexuality, strength and the female identity.

A cast of six women will read from Eve Ensler's play during a performance at 7 p.m. Friday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. Cast members include Rhon Abrams, Sharon Anderson, Sharon Bebout Carr, Ellen Dillon, Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs and Nicole Stanfield.

The performance is part of V-Day, a global movement aimed at stopping violence against women and girls. Locally, the performance benefits the Safe House for Women and the Network Against Sexual Violence.

Most people are delighted to learn what V-Day is about and like the idea, but just wish the play didn't use the word vagina, Clubbs said.

The monologues are based on interviews Ensler did with 200 women. After the performances, Ensler heard from many women who talked about their experiences with violence, which lead to the creation of V-Day.

'Writing from life'

One woman from Clubbs' church was curious about the play and asked to read a copy of it. She returned the script with a note that said the play wasn't offensive, "it's writing from life," Clubbs said.

And that's typically the reaction the play gets -- women understand the range of emotions and feelings that are discussed during the monologues. There's an introduction that explains what the monologues are about and offers stories from several women.

Even the cast shares their stories about why the monologues are important. Sharon Anderson said the production has been a bridge between the past and the future. She has been able to honor her mother who left an abusive marriage and watch her daughters as they navigate their relationships. And the play is connected to her grandchildren, who she hopes see a world where violence has ended. "The statistics about sexual abuse are frightening," she said in the program notes. "But statistics are more than just numbers -- statistics are people living with the pain and humiliation that has been inflicted on them."

This is the second performance of "The Vagina Monologues" in Cape Girardeau. Clubbs, who teaches at the university, acts as the college campaign director for V-Day.

Last year's performance was with a cast entirely of university students and faculty. By opening the auditions to the community, there is a greater breadth to the piece, she said.

"We have ages and experience to learn from this year," said cast member Ellen Dillon.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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