"If Your Vagina Could Talk, What Would It Say?"

by Lori Mannette

As the various sexual moaning noises from the “combo clit-vaginal moan” to the “surprise triple orgasm moan” filled Manning 209 and prompted wild applause, I looked at the tableau of amazing women on the stage with a smile. Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” is a play that cannot fail. Brilliantly written as a mix of poetically vernacular speeches and intricately woven group interactions, the audience will always come away feeling inspired. Despite the power of the script, it is not an easy project to take on. It requires a lot of self-exploration (which often turns up answers we don’t like), revealing of soul, and indescribable courage.

This year’s production was vastly different from all other years. For one, the entire process from the idea conceived over lunch at Cosmic to opening night was only three weeks. This was due to the loss of the V-Day Initiative organization on the campus, which plans all the events surrounding V-Day and “The Vagina Monologues”. We sought sponsorship from the GLBT-SA, and I became the project’s director. These two things inspired more questions and confusions than I ever would have guessed. I address these questions by giving myself a fake (don’t take the questions seriously) interview. Because, after all, I do LOVE to be interviewed.

Q: Why ask the GLBT-SA to sponsor it? Aren’t they committed to...well...you know....gays? Why not ask a women’s group?

A: The GLBT-SA has proven itself to be an important organization committed to equal rights for all. Ending violence against women, inspiring women to own their sexuality, and striving for political and social equality are things the members of the GLBT-SA understand more than anyone. They have a history of using performance-based media to attract attention to these causes. Also, “The Vagina Monologues” happens to incorporate several stories by lesbian women.

Q: Are you a member of the GLBTSA? You don’t seem....well, you know.

A: I am an ally of the organization. I happen to identify as heterosexual, but I am also
committed to equal rights for all. I have performed in productions they have sponsored
in the past (“Angels in America” and “Hidden: a Gender”) and really enjoy working with them. They are absolutely wonderful!

Q: Why would you decide to take this project on? You didn’t seem to me like the raging lesbian man-hater, but I could be wrong...

A: Vagina Monologues has nothing to do with men. Or any specific type of feminism. Or any specific type of sexuality. The entire point is to end violence against women. No matter what your views on politics, sexuality, or theater, you should be passionately committed to this cause. I will not say that I agree with every sentiment in the show. I admit that I don’t spend my time listening to Ani DiFranco, and I often use phrases like “you guys.” These things initially made me feel unworthy of directing the show. However, no one is unworthy of the Vagina Monologues! I am a woman. That in itself makes me “worthy.”

Q: What is your favorite word for your...you know..down there?

A: I have recently come to love SCHMENDE. However, overall I think that any word that isn’t diminutive (well that narrows it down, doesn’t it?) works just fine.

Q: What is your favorite quote from the show?

A: “The clitoris is pure in purpose. It is the only organ in the body designed purely for pleasure...It has twice the number of nerves as the penis.”