Women from Rider community will present ‘Vagina Monologues’

All members of the Rider community are invited to see the acclaimed play The Vagina Monologues performed by Rider faculty, staff and students on March 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater in honor of Women’s History Month. Founded in 1978, Women’s History Month was originally only a weeklong celebration to highlight the current and growing contributions made by women into the American Society. Presently, Women’s History Month promotes the innovation and progress of women across the world.

Written by noted feminist playwright and actor Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues uses frank humor to convey experiences and feelings not often shared in public, and to shed light on violence against women and girls. The monologues have been performed all over the world by women and girls in hopes of highlighting the challenges faced by women internationally, and breaking the chain of shame and silence that often surrounds topics related to female sexuality.

Ensler, who wrote the play after interviewing over 200 women of all different ages and cultures, says, “The play recounts tender, funny, gripping and horrifying stories gathered from hundreds of women about their bodies, their sexual experiences, and yes, their vaginas.” Since its first staging in 1996, it has been translated into more than 45 languages, performed in more than 120 countries and re-created as a HBO one woman show starring Ensler.

Rider’s production will feature students, faculty and staff from the university community. Women’s Center, a multicultural organization, is hosting the show as its headliner event for Women’s History Month.

Director of Multicultural Affairs Pamela Pruitt says, “The dimension of celebrating women takes many forms. This production gives us an opportunity to hear the voices of joy and pain experienced by women at different levels. We hope through the monologues we learn to respect and honor all women, especially those who have and continue to uphold their families, friends, and strangers through their struggles.”

This year’s production is being brought to campus through the collaborative efforts of Women's Center and the Alcohol/Drug & Sexual Assault Prevention Program (ASAP). Susan Stahley, prevention education coordinator, also directed this production. “I love the energy this particular play brings to a campus,” she says. “It reminds us all that respect and consent are powerful.”

Tickets are $1 with a valid Rider ID and $2 without a valid Rider ID. Tickets will be on sale starting Monday, March 23, until Tuesday, March 31, at the BLC ticket booth between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. each day. All proceeds will be donated to Womanspace, a nonprofit agency in Mercer County that provides shelter and an array of other services to women and men of all ages and their families in crisis situations created by domestic and sexual violence.