Laura Lucas

“If you are single, go see The Vagina Monologues Feb. 14,” said Molly Muth, senior advertising major and marketing coordinator for The Vagina Monologues.

The show, which is in its second year at SDSU, was written in 1996 by Eve Ensler. The Vagina Monologues combines the stories and experiences of women with facts about the vagina.

According to Amanda Hoover, sophomore agricultural education major, the monologues have a lot to teach people. The stories are about straight and lesbian women, child abuse, women on the streets, funny experiences and rants.

Last year, according to Muth, the show was received with a little resistance.

“The title scared people off. But once people realized it was not a raunchy, man-bashing show, they really liked it,” said Muth.

Even though people were hesitant toward the show, many people attended. According to Muth, $2,000 was made from ticket sales last year. All the money went to the domestic abuse shelter in Brookings.

This year, all the money will go to the same cause.

“The show gets the public to talk about domestic abuse and brings it up in a way that is touching, sad and funny,” said Catherine Grandorff, junior English and Spanish major and president of the Women’s Coalition.

According to Muth, this year will feature a variety of different women. Most women who did the show last year did not get the same parts.

“There is also a variety of women, ranging from straight to lesbians; Italians to Hispanics,” said Muth.

One woman who attended the show last year but did not participate was Hoover.

“I was practically dragged to it,” she said.

However, after watching the show, she decided to participate in it this year. Hoover said auditioning was spur of the moment, but she has found the experience rewarding.

“It is good to get out of your comfort zone,” she said. “It’s highly entertaining telling people I am doing this show.”

For Susana Rodriguez, a freshman history major, this is her first year with the show. Rodriguez said she heard about the show from friends who described it as “empowering, fun, funny and a safe zone.

“All the money goes towards a great cause, and I wanted to be a part of it,” she said. “This is something different that South Dakota doesn’t see.”

Muth said she had a similar experience. She did the show last year and said it was enlightening.

“We raised so much money last year for such a great cause. I felt it in my heart that I had to do this again this year,” she said.

Students should attend The Vagina Monologues because it is an enlightening program, said Grandorff. It shows real people dealing with real problems.

“The stories are touching, crushing and funny. This will be the best time you will ever have,” said Muth.

The Vagina Monologues will be performed Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Doner Auditorum. Tickets are $5.

“Why not go?” asked Muth.

#1.881954:226536889.jpg:VM-1.jpg:Jessica Berg acts out “Because He Liked to Look At It” while rehearsing for The Vagina Monologues. The monologues will be held Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.:Kaitie Krack