Local Drama Production aimed at Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
By Deer Maitre
Painting “Dancing” by Pam Davis
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n the early ’90s, theater piece at the Old • According to the United Nations Rape Statistics, rapes in the United States a woman named School Gallery in El were the highest overall (globally) at 84,767 reported incidents in 2010. Eve Ensler, had Morro Village. a heart-to-heart If dinner and with a few other theater is your style, • U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics state that 91% of rape victims are female and women about personal local restaurants include 9% are male, and 99% of rapists are male. sexual experiences and the Lady Stagecoach repressions. Those (505 783-4082) in women referred her to Ramah with traditional other women as she began • From 2000 to 2005, 59% of rapes were not reported to law enforcement. American and New collecting the stories. Mexican fare, the (rainn.org) Before she knew it, she Ancient Way Café was actively interviewing (505 783-4612) in El • 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail. (rainn.org) women from all walks of Morro Village across life not just about their from the Old School experiences as women, Gallery with traditional • Research has found that about 80,000 American children are sexually abused but more specifically, and innovative cuisine, each year. (U.S. Dept. of Justice) their experiences for and the La Tinaja having been born with Restaurant (505 783female genitalia and their 4349), 3.6 miles east of subsequent relationship the Gallery, presenting with that part of their Navajo, American, New bodies. A startling Mexican and sometimes and poignant portrait European fare. All Barbara Lambert is the program manager for New Beginning. She knows that victims of emerged. She decided to are moderately priced. domestic violence and sexual assault have a difficult time asking for help, especially in a small, isolated, present it in a play. The As always, it helps to rural community, such as Zuni. The tendency is to gossip and blame the victims instead of questioning Vagina Monologues ‘came schedule ahead. the actions of the people who are being abusive. This is a difficult matter to address – shining the out’ of the drawing room light into the darkness and holding people who abuse their intimate partners as responsible. As with and marched into the Please Note: Though any community, violence is a community problem. This is another one of those areas where “it takes streets. this production is a village” to instruct on the proper behaviors between people – honor, respect, and intolerance for In a tiny New primarily about hope York City theater in and empowerment violence in any form. 1996, The Monologues, it does include Sadly, she reports that during calendar year 2012 there were nine sexual assaults in the Pueblo evocative and inspiring, descriptions and of Zuni and New Beginning helped approximately 200 adult survivors of domestic violence (women debuted, and a depictions of violence and men) and 320 child witnesses to the violence. The Pueblo has only 8800 people living on the movement was born. against women, mature reservation, making the number of violent assaults extremely high per capita. Eventually the movement language, and explicit Lambert and New Beginning invite you to see the Vagina Monologues at the Old School coalesced into the V-Day sexual material. Gallery, join the discussion about violence against women and see what you can do to prevent violence organization, which against our daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers. strives, globally, to end New Beginning Program assists those who have been affected by domestic violence, family perceptions of women violence, sexual assault and stalking. If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, call at 505 782as chattel, challenging 4600. Immediate help is available by calling 911. violence against them. This year saw a rise of the movement across the globe as the “One Billion Rising,” its anniversary movement, was extensively profiled in the media, women dancing (and some men) in the Old School Gallery celebration and cherishing of the feminine. The Vagina Monologues cornerstone (one mile east of the El Morro National Monument). the movement as productions are staged in local communities every year. Such 505 783-4710 events take place worldwide each year between February 1 and April 30. And Tickets: Sliding scale, pay forward what you can afford to help V-Day annually donates money and resources to a different “spotlight” country the sheltered women, $10 - $25. that has women and girls in serious need. Kate Brown’s El Morro Arts Council production is part of the 15th Saturdays, April 20 and 27 at 7 pm anniversary of V-Day and One Billion Rising. As such, 10% of its proceeds (after expenses to El Morro Area Arts Council (EMAAC) will go to the V-Day Spotlight Foundation and the remaining 90% will go to the Pueblo of Zuni New Directed by: Kate Brown Cast: Liz Herron, Jill Acheson, Genevieve Humenay, Deer Maitre, Sherri Beginning Program for the benefit of local women who are in abusive, violent or Carter-North, Alice Bybee, Pam Davis, Brianna Clark, Lisa McNitt, Nova threatening situations. Dara Several non-thespians, gripped by the theme, have expressed interest in participation. As such, baked goods designed toward that end will be available for Additional Team Members: Kami Quam, Chris Marlow, Amy Gardunio, Penny Hyde, Susan Fisher, Maqui, Eden Gloria purchase. Local artists, as well, will present their work in conjunction with the
Pueblo of Zuni New Beginning Program
Performance Schedule:
30 gallupjourney@yahoo.com