While E.L. James’ “50 Shades of Grey” makes its big screen debut and awkward dates take place all over Gainesville, the Hippodrome will be breathing new life into the tired pseudo-holiday of Valentine’s Day with its production of the episodic play, The Vagina Monologues.
A multi-part play made up of monologues, each of which will be performed by different actresses, TVM explores the female experience. The production, sponsored by the Community of Gainesville’s V-Day Campaign and One Billion Rising, will benefit Peaceful Paths, a local domestic abuse shelter and advocacy center.
GainesvilleScene got in touch with Keri Johnson, co-director of the production, to find out more about Gainesville’s take on TVM and the great organizations that have partnered to make it all possible.
Via: San Antonio Current
GainesvilleScene: What can first-timers and TVM novices expect from the play?
Johnson: TVM novices can expect to hear the word “Vagina” being [repeated] in almost every conceivable context. The play is based upon Eve Ensler’s (the author of the play) interview with over 200 women about their experiences with their vaginas and what it means to them to identify as a woman. Emotions that may very well be evoked throughout the 90 minute production are: laughter, tears of sadness, sheer embarassment, sexual excitation, stoic seriousness, anger, awe, and the desire to cultivate change in one’s life and the greater community.
GainesvilleScene: How many different actresses (or actors) will perform the monologues?
Johnson: There are fifteen self-identified women, in addition to two co-directors Keri Johnson and Emily Snider, who will perform in the play.
GainesvilleScene: When was the first Gainesville production of The Vagina Monologues? Was it staged at the Hippodrome, as well?
Johnson: The first production of TVM in Gainesville that KED directed (Keri Johnson, Emily Snider, and Dean Carvalho) was in 2013. Yes it was staged at the Hippodrome. We performed all three shows that year in the cinema theatre (95 seats) and sold out every show, raising over $6,000 for Peaceful Paths [a local domestic abuse and advocacy center]. Last year, with the V-Day performance in the cinema and the remaining shows on the main stage (268 seats), we nearly hit the $10,000 fundraising mark. This year, with the same theatre arrangements, our goal is to deliver even more proceeds to Peaceful Paths than last year!
Via: The Fine Print
GainesvilleScene: Have One Billion Rising and the V-Day Campaign always worked in tandem to sponsor Gainesville productions of The Vagina Monologues? What kind of support has the Gainesville Community contributed thereafter to the battle against domestic violence?
Johnson: OBR and V-Day joined forces for the first year in 2013. To harness the energy and enthusiasm around V-Day’s 15th anniversary, ({V-Day 2013}) began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN. ({V-DAY 2013}) spotlighted those ONE BILLION WOMEN on the planet who will experience such violence. Thus, OBR was born. In 2013, OBR focused on RISING in response to this statistic. OBR 2014, demanded JUSTICE for the atrocities experienced by women and girls around the world. This year, 2015, OBR is a REVOLUTION to cultivate change.
GainesvilleScene: How do the messages of The Vagina Monologues play into the missions its sponsors are working toward? Is there an overlap between the play’s political and societal discourse and that of violence against women and children and workplace discrimination?
Johnson: All of our sponsors choose to donate because they believe in the cause of ending violence against women and girls. It is an incredible experience witnessing the resounding “YES” as our community comes together for this cause as one voice united.
Via: Jacqueline’s Reads
GainesvilleScene: February 14 is TVM’s opening night, Valentine’s Day, as well as the nationwide premier of “50 Shades of Grey.” The book and movie have been criticized for blurring the lines of consent and depicting potentially problematic instances of BDSM. What do you think of the E.L. James sensation, and how does it play into the spectrum of artistic expressions of female sexuality?
What do you hope audience members take away from the monologues and the various themes they touch upon?
Johnson: Our (KED) hope for the influence we make in our community, is that all who come to the play will walk away with a sense of connection with a profound calling—ending violence against women and girls. Based upon the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women will be beaten or raped in their lifetime, we all know someone directly or indirectly that has experienced domestic or sexual violence. This is a call to everyone across the gender spectrum to come together in one voice united to join the REVOLUTION and demand an end to violence against women and girls around the world.
The opening night of Gainesville’s production of The Vagina Monologues is Saturday, February 14. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. All attendants will receive Valentine’s Day gift bags, and proceeds will benefit Peaceful Paths.
Subsequent shows will take place on February 21 and February 23.
For tickets, visit The Vagina Monologue’s Eventbrite page. And for more information, visit the Facebook page.
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Feature photo courtesy of: Coroflot
