Right now, wherever you are, I dare you to say the word "vagina" out loud. Might be awkward. But why? You've probably called a guy you know a dick at least once. I'll bet you've said balls sometime this week. But there's something about the word vagina that scares the hell out of almost everyone.
Almost.
The Vagina Monologues, a series of monologues by Eve Ensler based on real women's lives, is being produced by the Penn V-Day College Campaign. Proceeds from the show go to Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR), the nation's first and Philly's lone full-service rape crisis center. To discover just how activism, awareness and orgasms that "bring down the house" came together (no pun intended), Street sat down with the producer and organizer of Penn V-Day 2008/The Vagina Monologues, Katy Rose Glickman (also a former Street editor), director Lauren Owens and cast members Mary Calderone (CAS '10), Rachel Garber (CAS '09) and Ilana Milner (CAS '10).
Street: What is V-Day, and why do you think it's important to bring this awareness to Penn?
Katy Rose Glickman: Each year, volunteer activists put on V-Day benefit events in the U.S. and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. Now, in our 10th year of the V-Day College Campaigns, students like us continue to produce annual benefit performances of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local anti-violence organizations within their own communities.
Lauren Owens: The "V" stands for victory over violence; valentine; vagina.
Street: What was the most awkward scene to direct?
LO: I believe [we] enabled the actors to embrace being awkward and funny and honest because let's face it, we all have vaginas.
Street: Why do you think it's important to bring V-Day to Penn's Campus?
Mary Calderone: [V-Day] emphasizes the common ground that women in the Penn and Philadelphia community have with each other and with other women all over the country and the world. This alone is empowering. So many women suffer doubly from rape, as not only do they have the torturous memory of the experience, but they are often judged and treated negatively by others, instead of receiving the compassion they deserve.
Street: Did the recent sexual assaults on campus have any effect on how you put this show together?
LO: The recent sexual assaults on campus just made me more convinced this campus needs V-Day, and that V-Day exists for a reason: until the violence stops!
Street: What are your monologues about?
Rachel Garber: "Reclaiming Cunt" is one woman's enthusiastic explanation of why she uses the word cunt confidently and comfortably.
Ilana Milner: "My Short Skirt" is about claiming and celebrating your sexuality as strictly your own.
Street: In her prologue to the show, Eve Ensler says, "Doesn't matter how many times you say it [vagina], it never sounds like a word you want to say." Do you agree? Was it hard for you?
MC: There is a common feeling [that] vaginas are just plain gross. is it because of how the vagina physically is? The way it looks, smells? Or is it because of the connotations that culture has attached to it over the years?
IM: At first it was definitely odd-- - I'd talk to my friends and family about the show and mumble the title. However, with a little practice it got easier and the next thing you know, I'm shouting "VAGINA!!" down Locust Walk... for V-Day ticket sales, of course.
Street: What do you think is the funniest part of the show?
IM: The orgasms always bring the house down.
Street: A show with the word "vagina" in the title could be a hard sell to guys. Why do you think male students should see the show?
IM: Considering the amount of time most guys already spend thinking about vaginas, a little extra, educated entertainment surely can't hurt.
MC: The Vagina Monologues is not about bashing men or blaming women's problems on men. the problem of violence against women is not just a woman's problem, it is everyone's problem, and effort must come from both men and women to eradicate it.
RG: I think they have a lot to learn about my pussy.
