18 By Maria Lizak
V-Day Gwangju The Vagina Monologues 2013 and the V-Day campaign in Gwangju were held this spring to great reviews and they doubled their funds raised from the 2012 season. Director, Leigh Hellman-Kang and Go-to Sweeper Extraordinaire, SyeJeong Diane Kim Brenner can sigh with relief after helping a cast and crew of 20 give three successful performances and seven fundraisers creating a movement in Gwangju to stop violence against women. With the over five million won in funds raised, four local beneficiaries will receive 85% of the final total. This year four organizations have agreed to accept funds from 2013 TVM. They include three single mothers’ shelters and one anti-violence support shelter for immigrant women. All in Gwangju. 우리집 (Our House) 인애복지원 (InAe Welfare Center) 편한집 (Peaceful House) 광주이주여성지원센터 (Gwangju Settler Women Support Center) Comedic and tragic, The Vagina Monologues, are performances that are part of the movement to stop violence against women. Gwangju gave
monologues in English, Korean and one in Tagalog. Following rules set by the head honchos of V-Day, only 5% may be used for production costs. Ten percent of funds raised go to the international organization for the V-Day Spotlight Campaign which changes yearly. This year is the Congo Campaign and City of Joy. This year’s shows were held at Gwangju Art Hall in downtown Gwangju on April 27th & 28th. Local organizations, restaurants and bars provided skills and sponsorship. V-Day Gwangju thanks: Gwangju International Center, Gwangju News, GFN Radio Station, First Alleyway, Tequilaz, German Bar II, and the Athletic Supporters per their playbill. Actresses from six countries included: Sarah Berry, Judy Woods, Lucy Maslen, Yuni Lee, Katerina Georgieva, Calen Cygan, Lynn Jeong, Christina Hutton, Ynell Lumantao, Hyein Kim, Amy Badenhorst, Amanda Serrano, and Rosie Hawkins. Carrie Levinartelemento10
son and Jenna Wouters were readers. Maria Lisak assisted with promotion. Sarah Pollak made this year’s logo. Lorryn Smit led this year’s visual campaign with the assistance of Joe Wabe. Jihyun Kim and Mira Kim assisted with Korean promotion.
Comedic and tragic, The Vagina Monologues, are performances that are part of the movement to stop violence against women.