USI presents the Vagina Monologues

The University of Southern Indiana will host its ninth annual V-Day USI performance of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 in the Wright Administration Building, Forum II. Doors open at 6:40 p.m. and tickets may be purchased at the door for $7. Funds from the event will go to Willow Tree, a local organization which provides support and counseling to women who have experienced sexual or domestic violence.

V-Day is a global movement to raise funds and awareness about issues of violence against girls and women. This year's special event also is being presented as part of the One Billion Rising for Justice campaign. The campaign is a call to action for an end to violence against women, noting that statistics show that one in three women will be raped and/or abused in their lifetime.

"Audiences can expect to be exposed to feminine issues that they may have never before considered or discussed publicly," said Dr. Melinda Roberts, assistant professor of criminal justice and actor in the production. "This production highlights issues of violence against women, sexuality and biological matters. The Vagina Monologues are hilarious, captivating and poignant."

Ensler's Vagina Monologues has been performed nationwide with critical acclaim. The stories are told from the perspectives of girls and women sharing the humor, strife, pain, pleasure and wisdom of being a woman.

This year's cast includes USI faculty: Corliss Chastain, Melinda Roberts, Alice Shen and Mary Lyn Stoll; USI students: T.J. Bunker, Morgan Dale, Kate Grudzinski, Shelby Heck, Kennedy Jessup, Lyn Murrell, Olivia Phelps and Emma Schwab; USI alumni: Wendy Bredhold, Alexandra Levine andCasie Mathies; and community guests: Sarah Cannon, Jeanne Holaday-Elliott, Sarah Kluemper and Emma Loane.

The event is open to the public and is sponsored by the USI Philosophy Club, USI Gender Studies, and the USI Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Club.

For more information contact Dr. Mary Lyn Stoll at mstoll@usi.edu or 812-461-5244.