The “V” reigned supreme in Athabasca on Feb. 25.
Over 300 people packed into the Nancy Appleby theatre Feb. 25 to watch a local production of The Vagina Monologues, a powerful, intimate, feminist account of how women experience both their sexuality and the world.
The theatre ran out of space and had to turn people away at the door, even after providing extra seating inside.
Jocelyn Saskiw – the event’s co-director, stage manager and organizer – said it was a shame some people did not get the opportunity to see the monologues but was excited the production was able to generate such a large crowd.
“We had to turn people away, but it was a good problem to have,” she said. “It went super awesome, and I’m happy with how it turned out.”
Twenty-three Athabasca women – 21 performers and two stagehands – bore their souls on stage in a series of solo and group scenes that portrayed the different aspects of a woman’s day-to-day experience with her body.
Some of the scenes, such as the group scene where the performers listed all the different names for a vagina, were lighthearted and elicited laughter from the crowd.
Some, like the monologue where a First Nations woman outlined the details of her domestic abuse, were horrifying, painful and left the crowd in silence.
Despite their individual content, all the scenes were profound, impactful and honest.
“I thought it was very moving,” said Uta Pietscha, who attended the show. “All of it was very true to life, and I think it’s good for both men and women to see.”
After the show finished, the performers returned to the stage, hand-in-hand to a rousing standing ovation from the crowd. For many of them, performing in The Vagina Monologues was as powerful as being an audience member.
“This is the most amazing group of women,” said Kendra Whitfield, one of the performers. “I’m humbled and honoured to be one of them.”
The Vagina Monologues was written by Tony award winning playwright Eve Ensler in 1994. It is based on dozens of interviews Ensler conducted with women of different ages and cultural backgrounds and addresses various issues concerning women’s sexuality.
The messages conveyed in The Vagina Monologues have resonated so much that it led the creation of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls.
In order to put on V-Day events like The Vagina Monologues, organizers must meet a number of criteria such as organizing the event in February, keeping production costs low, striving for diversity in casting and partnering with a local organization working to end violence against women and girls.
The organizers of The Vagina Monologues in Athabasca partnered with the Athabasca and Area Prevention of Relationship Abuse Action Committee. Proceeds from the play are going to PRAAC.
“I appreciate that they require us to give locally,” said co-director and actress Lori Claerhout. “It helps to maintain the spirit of V-Day.”
