Goodyear X and the Woldman Theater were filled with sold out audiences of vaginas and vagina lovers for Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues Wednesday and Thursday night. Two performances were held as a part of the 10th annual V-Day Campaign to end violence against women.
The campaign, sponsored by Wellness Education Services, the Men's Group, UB SoFeM, University Residence Halls and Apartments and Sub-Board, Inc. 100 percent of the proceeds from this week's shows go to Crisis Services of Erie County, the International Institute in Buffalo (which provides support to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking) and the Women of New Orleans.
"The Vagina Monologues emphasize to the audience that these are not women's issues but human rights issues," said Christina Liang, co-organizer of the event. "Some skits are light and some are serious, but they all address how continuous animosity towards women affects everyone."
Some of the monologues presented included "Vagina Happy Fact" and "Not-So-Happy-Fact". The happy fact about vaginas is that the clitoris is the only body organ in both men and women designed solely for pleasure, with more nerve endings than any part of the body. The clitoris, containing 8,000 nerve endings, has double that of the penis.
"Who needs a hand gun when you have a semi-automatic?" asked Heather Schoff, the monologue performer.
While the audience jeered and cheered at the vagina happy fact, the not-so-happy fact brought an emotionally charged statistic - that 30 million girls and women have been the victims of female genital cutting or mutilation (FGM) worldwide, with three million new cases each year.
FGM is practiced in 28 countries worldwide, mostly in Africa. The procedure involves removing part or all of a woman's clitoris and the surrounding region, causing her to never experience sexual pleasure. FGM often results in major health complications for the duration of a woman's life, including difficulties during childbirth, many forms of infection, constant pain and even death.
"My Angry Vagina" was one of the most passionate and comedic skits of the night, performed by Patrice Francois. The skit hit home with a large portion of the audience, as Francois described the ways society had tried to decorate, change and cover up the vagina.
"Don't believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals when it's supposed to smell like p*ssy," Francois said, in reference to the many products and fragrances that have angered her vagina. "...trying to clean it up and make it smell like a bathroom spray or garden. All these douche sprays - floral, berry, rain - I don't want my p*ssy to smell like rain."
Francois then talks about the discomfort of an OB/GYN exam and thong underwear, mocking those who tell her to relax her vagina. She suggests fur-covered stirrups and a warming up of the "duck lips" they shove inside you, because you need to seduce the vagina.
Other sad monologues depicted violence against women around the world. "My Vagina Was a Village," performed by Cara Cohen and Naomi Pabon-Figueroa described the brutal rape of a woman in Bosnia.
"Say It," performed by Kate Crooks, Terri Frysh, and Katie Mullen, told the story of "Comfort Women," who were forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers during World War II. Women who were the victims of these crimes only want an apology from the Japanese government for their suffering - they have yet to receive one.
Kayla Maryles then performed "Outrageous Vagina Fact," talking about how five states in the US currently have a ban on vibrators (but not guns). Texas was state number six until when the Supreme Court recently declared the law a violation of the right to privacy.
"Reclaiming C*nt," is one woman's story of how she reconceived a once-derogatory vaginal term, embracing and loving it by acknowledging the word as far sexier than vagina. Collette Wdowiusz's performance brought the audience to an uproar and cheering "c*nt!" with her at the close of the skit.
"The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," featured a comedic segment in which Stephanie Cohen and Anne Marie Wells hammed it up, performing various types of moans, ranging from mountain moans to multi-orgasmic moans.
Student-performers hope to spread a larger message to their audiences about issues that impact women worldwide.
"It's not a women's; issue, it's a people issue. Women don't beat themselves up," Cohen said.
Performers were thrilled with the turnout, which, in conjunction with other V-day events, is expected to bring in around $5,000. In addition to ticket sales from the Monologues and tonight's event, "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer," Wellness Services sold chocolate resembling vaginas, with all proceeds going to the same charities.
"We're proud that the audience has been so diverse in terms of students, community members and gender," Liang said.
Audience members enjoyed the show, some even surprised and shocked at the humor of the performance and the things they had learned.
"All of the proceeds go to charity, it's awesome that all of these people are doing it for free," said Michael Skvarch, a sophomore physics major. "It's a pretty big fundraiser, and I really thought it was important to come out and show my support."
Many students who saw the show left with a newfound appreciation and respect for the word "vagina", the importance of knowing your vagina and talking about it.
Jason Gomez, a sophomore English women's studies and Asian studies major and representative from UB SoFeM enjoyed the performance and hopes that others took an important message from the show.
"I hope they took [the message] to not be afraid of the word 'vagina' anymore," Gomez said. "You just say it every day of your life. 'Vagina'."
