Hudson Valley hosts eighth annual Vagina Monolougues
Hudson Valley presented “The Vagina Monologues” on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Mar. 1 in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre. This is the eighth year that the play was performed on campus.
“The Vagina Monologues” is an episodic play with an all-female cast that focuses on various experiences of women. These include topics such as sex, rape, orgasms, female genital mutilation and masturbation. The play was written by Eve Ensler, an American feminist and activist.
Marissa Lanchak from FLY 92.3’s Afternoon Drive introduced and hosted the play for the fourth time.
“The Vagina Monologues” is part of the V-Day movement, a global activist movement to end violence towards girls and women.
“V-Day helps to show women’s trauma in everyday life to the world,” said Lanchak.
“These plays spread the word on women’s issues. Being at a college helps all girls spread the word on these issues,” said Tabitha Dunn, a Hudson Valley alumnus and domestic violence educator at the Unity House of Troy.
There were 17 acts altogether. The all-female cast consisted of Hudson Valley students, as well as employees of the Unity House of Troy.
The play was presented by the Student Theatre Club, the Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Broadcast Communications Department and the Unity House of Troy.
The Unity House of Troy is a human service agency based in Rensselaer County that assists people with different problems. Some of these problems include domestic violence, people living in poverty and mental illnesses.
Rosanne Raneri, instructor in the fine arts, theater arts and broadcast communications department, directed the play.
All of the monologues focused on the problems women face on a day to day basis. One of the acts was called, “The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy,” presented by Tonya Brock. This act included the audiences’ participation in moaning their own “orgasm moan.”
Another monologue, presented by Bailey Medici, called “I Was There in the Room,” described the birth of a newborn baby.
The Student Theatre Club gives students the opportunity to have experiences with parts of the theatre such as acting and costume making.
“It’s nice to be able to help a good cause while doing something I love,” said Celina Pulenskey, theatre club member.
“I think it’s important [to have shows like this] because it sends a message to everyone about what happens to women everywhere,” said Audrey Mckee, theatre club member.
All of the student theatre club plays are free to Hudson Valley students. Upcoming shows include the comedy, “Noises Off,” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Apr. 10, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Student directed one-act plays, which will include six short plays, will be held Thursday and Saturday, May 1 and 3 at 7:30 pm, as well as, Friday, May 2 at 1 p.m.
For more information on the theatre club, contact Matt Cantore at m.cantore@hvcc.edu.