Taking on gender issues and the already well-established feminist movement in a generation full of powerful and capable women takes chutzpah, force and a fresh vocabulary. Enter stage right, the Vagina Monologues - one brave woman's voice that launched a whirlwind of sexual assault awareness, which soon gave birth to the V-Day Campaign.
"The V-Day Campaign is a worldwide campaign against violence against women and girls," said Jane Fischer, director of SBI Health Education and organizer UB's production of The Vagina Monologues.
???According to Fischer, Eve Ensler wrote the monologues in 1998 and was first bringing them to the stage as a one-woman show. After hearing the monologues performed, the fire in women was lit, which caused growth in the fan base and celebrity involvement.
???"There were celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker performing the monologues in NYC," Fischer said.
???This year the "centerpiece" for UB's V-Day Campaign is The Vagina Monologues, Fischer said. There will be many other opportunities for students to get involved, but the monologues are the prime focus.
???"There is only so much tabling you can do, and this is kind of fun to get people involved in a theatrical experience," Fischer said.
???The Vagina Monologues are usually performed around Valentine's Day, but this year the performance will be held in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
???All students can get involved with the production and the campaign, according to Fischer.
???"The principle of V-Day is that anyone who wants to be involved is going to be," Fischer said. "We don't turn anyone away."
???The first informational meeting will be held on Feb. 15 in 260 Capen from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The meeting will address questions about what roles students can play in the campaign as well as positions they can fill in the production, Fischer said.
???"The first meeting is for anyone, men and women," Fischer said. "Men can't be in the actual production, but they can be involved behind the scenes."
???The actual auditions for the production will be held on Feb. 22, by appointment only. According to Fischer, students interested in auditioning can call SBI Health Education at 829-2584.
???Auditions will be quick and painless, Fischer said. Students can come prepared with material from the Vagina Monologues, do a reading, or have a different monologue prepared.
???"The thing that we want to make sure of for the audition is that students are comfortable with the language," Fischer said. "We want to make sure you are not afraid to say it loud and proud."
???Talking about sex and private parts with friends is one thing, but being able to do it in front of peers, professors and the public is another. According to Fischer, the initial fear is understandable, but the message being portrayed is much more powerful.
???"Nobody wants to be that one person; you feel uncomfortable standing up by yourself," Fischer said. "This way you can do it in a way that's not scary, its cool to do, you have thousands of women and men that have your back."
???According to Fischer, the Vagina Monologues adds a voice to something that usually just remains a thought, a fleeting moment, a memory, and brings it out of people's heads.
???"It's about getting the women in the area to have a voice for themselves as well as the women and girls around the world," Fischer said. "Violence against one woman is violence against all women."
???The college years are a perfect age and time to get involved in something so influential, important and relevant, Fischer said.
???Take a note from the Spice Girls: add a little Madonna, a pinch of Oprah, a taste of Sex and the City and the recipe for the Vagina Monologues is complete. All that's needed now is a cast of ladies to fill the roles of a lifetime.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
