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Volume CXXXII, Number 16 |
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The Vagina Monologues opens in Kresge
MAIA-CHRISTINA LEE
ORIENT STAFF
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| Amy Funkenstein '03 delivers a monologue about nothing less than masturbation, British accent and all. Backed by other cast members, Funkenstein was one of many in this year's Vagina Monologues. (Karsten Moran, Bowdoin Orient) |
Unlike one of the characters from Eve Ensler's monologues, the Bowdoin community is not worried about talking about vaginas. This year marks the second showing of The Vagina Monologues in Kresge Auditorium. The red shirts and black pants are back and the set is largely the same. However, two new monologues were added to the script and the cast is all new making the show a completely different experience from last year's production.
Directors Desneige Hallbert '05 and Maddie Robillard '05 wanted to make sure that this year's show was not just a repeat of last years. When casting the actors they purposely looked for students and professors who would bring something new to their monologues. "Many of the cast members had never acted before," said Hallbert. "In a way, that was an asset to the production because it meant that everything was fresh. We didn't want to hear the same monologues as we heard last year."
In the directing process, it helped that Hallbert had been a member of the cast last year. Though her onstage orgasms did not involve rolling around on the floor, they were not dissimilar from the moans uttered by her character this year. "It was fun to direct someone else in the monologue I performed because it gave me a chance to see what it looked like," said Hallbert.
Becca Geehr '03 who directed the show last year considered directing again. However, she decided that it would be too difficult; she felt she would be unable to come in fresh. "I just kept hearing last year's actors in my head. It would have been impossible to direct new actors with that mentality." Never the less, Geehr was involved in the show. In fact, she was one of the actors. In an effort to avoid being tainted by the voices of last year's performers, Geehr decided to perform one of the new monologues.
At various colleges across the country and around the world, the performers of The Vagina Monologues were asked to add new monologues to the show. The topic was "what would the world be like without violence against women and girls?" Two monologues were written by members of the Bowdoin community-one by female students and one by male students.
"It took a bit of prying to get the male students to participate but I'm glad that they did," said Hallbert. Trying to get male participation in the cause of V-Day is one of the goals of the show. "Men have a large part to play in the V-Day campaign," said Geehr. "Violence against women is something that affects everyone. It's something that happens to people you know. It's something that happens on this campus. I think everyone needs to realize that."
Besides the thrill of performing in front of an audience of their peers, this year's cast will also have the rare opportunity to strut their acting talents for Shael Norris. "Norris is like Eve Ensler's right hand woman," said Hallbert. "It's such a privilege to have her here to see the show."
Next year's performance of The Vagina Monologues, which is already scheduled, will be directed by ex-cast member Kristin Pollock '04. "After being involved in the show it's hard not to want to be involved again," said Geehr.
The Vagina Monologues are in Kresge Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
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