THE EDGE THE MAGAZINE OF THE PENDULUM VOL. 6 | EDITION 1 FALL 2014 ELON, N.C.
Healthy alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth pg. 10
5 tips for treating yourself this
Valentine’s Day
A
pg. 13
Phillip Danieley: BEER MASTER pg. 14
Inside one of Elon’s cutest homes pg. 9
One Direction, tolerance and why they matter pg.24
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Letter from the Editor
I’m sure some of you saw this magazine today and wondered what it was you were looking at. “This isn’t The Edge I’ve grown familiar with over the past few years,” you may have thought. And you were right. It isn’t. Welcome to the new Edge. The staff and I have been working diligently over the past month to create a product we can be proud of. We bid adieu to the Sports, Opinions and Travel sections (not to worry — you can still satisfy all your Sports and Opinions needs by picking up a copy of The Pendulum) and introduced a new one: Style. We felt the restructure encompassed more of what we wanted The Edge to be — a magazine that best serves you, the college student. The Entertainment and Health & Wellness sections are still going strong, and the Fashion and Features sections have been expanded to give you more of what you want. Along with this restructure came a much-needed redesign. We wanted the design of the magazine to reflect our vision of what The Edge should be: bold, dynamic, engaging and — most importantly — edgy ( ). We hope our new look will make your magazine-reading experience all the more enjoyable. In this issue, you’ll find a Valentine’s Day-inspired fashion editorial spread featuring the adorable Tori Lyons and an in-depth feature on senior Phillip Danieley, our cover star and founder of Another Round Brewing. Our Health & Wellness editors came together to give you some ideas for how to treat yourself this February, and our Entertainment editor shed some light on why the members of One Direction are as significant as the fangirls think they are. And if you didn’t get a chance to check out the Recruitment-themed photo shoot (shot by the incredibly talented Wilson Hester) we released on our website two weeks ago, I suggest you take the time to do so. In the meantime, flip these digital pages and look out for us in print next time around.
Lindsey Lanquist, Editor-in-Chief
2 | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
THE EDGE TABLE OF CONTENTS Stupid in love page 18
Fashion
6 18 Style 8
About you: Back from abroad Fashion well: Stupid in love
Inside Elon’s home sweet homes
12 13 14 23 24 26
Health&Wellness
Five tips for treating your mind, body and soul this month Winter healing: Spa DIYs
the cover Phillip Danieley: Beer master
Entertainment Valentine’s Day then and now One Direction: Why we need to pay attention
Features Amplifying the Vagina
TABLE OF CONTENTS | 3
Editor-in-Chief of The Pendulum Michael Bodley
THE EDGE Editor-in-Chief of The Edge Lindsey Lanquist Design Chief Ingrid Frahm Creative Directors Ingrid Frahm (Art) Kim Duong (Fashion) Fashion Editor Kim Duong Fashion Assistants: Megan Gravley Michaela Contois Dalton Cox Kristina Lee Puja Prakash Madison Sternberg
Fashion Contributors: Daniella Chavero Jordan Fusco Cameron Jackson Leigh Murphy Tatum Pederson Molly Semes
Features Editor Lauryl Fischer Entertainment Editor Mary Sheehan Assistant Editor Amanda Garrity Health & Wellness Editors Shauna Willetts Xernay Aniwar Style Editor J.C. Craig Assistant Editor Sarah Baum Videographer Jenny Sekulow
Photo Asistants Taylor DeBlock Peter Walpole
Video Assistants: Katy Bellotte Michelle Klein Bekah Richin
Photographers Matthias Bouska Wilson Hester Kyle Vines
Design Team: Ellie Anderson Katy Bellotte MacKenzie Clarken Anne Fioravanti Megan Gravley Kristina Lee Madison Margeson Erin Valentine Emily Wood Writers: Katy Bellotte Marika Ball-Damberg Rachel Lewis Hannah McCarthy Leigh Murphy
4 | STAFF
Contributors: Katie Lindsay (Makeup Artist) Chann Little (Illustrator) Tori Lyons (Model)
WHY NOT...
Meg Gravley
“essential vitamins and herbs... ballin’ on a budget!”
GOLD BLUSH
can’t find it substitute ? w/ eyeshadow!
what we love
Kim Duong
“love these for quick highlighting!”
Dani Chavero
“Neutrals that work for colder seasons!”
Madison Sternberg
“love chubby sticks for their easy application and hydrating effect.”
H&M hair pins, gold eyeshadow by L’Oreal Paris, Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow shampoo and conditioner, Lancome Chubby Stick, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, Lorac 3d Lustre, Smashbox Full Exposure Palette
GOLD S HAIR PIN
try
Caroline Yuen
“I put a little on before bed each night.” FASHION | 5
JACKIE
Fall 2014, London
BACK FROM
ABROAD Straight off the plane to Elon, and what do we see? An incredible mélange of styles coming at us from all over the globe. We took to the streets of campus to photograph the trends students brought back from abroad.
OH, THE LONDON LOOK The second best thing to a blue sky? Jackie says it’s a blue coat. London sees too many dreary days to pass up a fascinating frock like this one. Elon, take note — this applies to you too.
68 | | FASHION FASHION
RACHEL
Fall 2014, Barcelona
KICKIN’ AROUND Leave it to Spanish girls to look superb in sneakers. But who says they get to have all the fun? This is a hybrid infinitely more chic than a Prius.
CHRIS
Fall 2014, N.Y.C.
City slicker “Leather is so warm and sexy,” Chris says of his NYC uniform. The sleek, all-black palette seamlessly takes him Uptown, Downtown and back with its functional versatility and savoir faire. So bold and sharp, he doesn’t think twice about what people think.
BEKAH
Winter 2014, Rio de Janeiro
Rio reverie Brazilian clothes in four words? Don’t skimp on color. “Things you don’t think match mesh well together,” Beckah says. It’s all about that pattern play.
FASHION | 7
INSIDE ELON’S HOME SWEET HOMES
C
reativity is all around Elon, but a lot of it is only seen behind closed doors. We’re making it our job here at The Edge to take you behind the scenes to view some of the best living spaces on campus. And there’s no better place to start this series with than junior Hattie Hoskins’ home on Woodale Drive.
hattie
HOSKINS
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I do get a lot of my inspiration from Pinterest — as does every other college girl. HATTIE HOSKINS
8 | STYLE
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Instead of looking at specific DIY crafts, I like to search for things like rustic cabins or cottages so I can look at a real space and pull from it to make it my own. HATTIE ON HER DECORATION INSPIRATION
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Hattie finds the perfect balance of new and old. She mixes pieces from favorite stores like T.J. Maxx with vintage furniture she finds antique shopping with her mom.
STYLE 9
d n o y be
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No-bake crispy peanut butter dark chocolate truffles 1 c. Rice Crisp cereal, 1 c. Dark (dairy-free) chocolate chips, 1 c. Crunchy Peanut Butter, ¾ c. Wheat Germ, ¼ c. Maple Syrup
These delicious truffles are filled with nutrients and antioxidants. Not only does the dark chocolate coating provide polyphenols, iron and magnesium, but the wheat germ offers a large amount of fiber, protein and Omega-3’s. Talk about treating yourself! 10 | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Valentine’s Day fever is starting to hit grocery stores, and we know how hard it is to resist those red, heart-shaped boxes lining the shelves. They’re filled with chocolates and candies pumped full of tasty flavors — but not-so-tasty preservatives. Not to worry! We’ve come up with a chemical- and guilt-free alternative to those store-bought chocolate candies to help you indulge this Valentine’s Day all the while staying healthy.
Nuts For You savory trail mix
Have a loved one (including you) who doesn’t have a big sweet tooth? No problem. This savory trail mix is inspired by Asian flavors and packed full of protein, nutrients and deliciousness. This savory mix not only contains Omega-3’s, protein and fiber, but it also provides Vitamin B1 and calcium! Pack this trail mix for yourself or fill a mason jar with it and give it to someone you love. It’s a perfect way to tell someone you’re nuts about them.
Ingredients: ¾ c. unsalted peanuts ¾ c. salted cashews ¾ c. rice crackers ¾ c. raw almonds ¾ c. dried wasabi peas ¾ c. roasted, unsalted edamamae ¾ c. sesame sticks ¾ c. salted pistachios 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
HEALTH & WELLNESS | 11
for treating your mind, body and soul this month
Five Tips 12 | HEALTH & WELLNESS
February is centered on celebrating the people we love, but let’s not forget about ourselves! This valentine’s season, celebrate loving yourself with these 5 tips.
2 3 4
1
Go! Go! H20! Start your day with a glass of water. Pour it before bed and keep it by your bedside. Your body gets extremely thirsty after eight hours of not drinking, so make it a habit to jumpstart your day and your metabolism by chugging it down first thing.
Yada, yada, ‘exercise is important, do it everyday.’ We’ve all heard it. But if you haven’t found a form of exercise that you enjoy yet, don’t give up! You won’t have the energy to do anything big unless you start small.
Editor’s Tip: Try out an inverted yoga pose called Salamba Sirsasana against a wall. Claimed benefits from this pose are crazy endless. To name just a few: Tones legs and abs, allows blood flow to brain cells which improves memory and concentration, helps with insomnia, improves posture and helps with your sex drive — so uh, worth a shot, right?
Daily dining swaps. When we’re busy, our diets can get super unhealthy, and at Elon, we’re all busy. Try to pick a day of the week (or two) to use as a reminder to treat your body nicely and make healthier choices: Meatless Monday, Super food Sunday (think spinach, pumpkin, salmon, soy, green tea, walnuts, Greek yogurt, kale) and Wheat-less Wednesday (a lot of the wheat products we eat are processed and have next to no nutritional value).
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Socialize. Meet a friend for a walk in the park, call your grandparents or write a letter to a pen pal once a week. Talking to people is important for our mental health, so the next time you’re feeling down, try chatting it up with someone. Don’t have time for that? Write down your thoughts. Socialize with yourself.
Everything in moderation. Having trouble with portion control? Use smaller plates when you eat and snack. By filling up an entire plate, you’ll feel like you’re eating more and consequently feel fuller. It’s all psychology, baby.
Like these tips? Check out s’more at elonpendulum.com
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HEALTH & WELLNESS | 13
THE BEER MASTER I
n the spring heat Phillip Danieley took a bike ride along the Thames River. The ride led him through London, from pub to pub and beer to beer. On a stop along the way, he ordered a pint of Fullers ESB, a type of bitter ale famous for its dark and bold flavor — and not for the weak-hearted. He took his first sip, and the taste struck him with inspiration: This was the beer he wanted to brew. This beer, served in an innocuous pub across the Atlantic Ocean, was the start of Another Round, Danieley’s own home brewing business. Danieley talks about Another Round with quiet pride, and its roots truly are humble. After his study abroad experience, he bought his first home brewing kit. It came with the ingredients he needed and the instructions to get started. He had no intention to create something bigger than himself. Danieley just wanted to learn how to brew beer. “I had wanted to home brew for a while,” Danieley said. “I had it in the back of my mind, but I never got serious until this past summer. I just always wanted to do it because I thought it would be incredibly satisfying to drink a beer that you made from scratch. And it is.” His beginning brews focused on mimicking his favorite beers, Fullers ESB being the first. But with each brew, his interest in creating a beer all his own — and sharing it with others — fermented. After he won a poetry contest, the prize money financed new equipment. He began to talk seriously with his brother about starting his
“
own operation. “It was my brother’s idea to name it Another Round, actually,” Danieley said. “We were talking about how we wanted Another Round’s brand to be that you could be 21 or you could be 91, and you can order this beer and feel comfortable drinking it.” Remembering the conversation, Danieley can’t help but break into a smile. “It’s easy to say — you can’t help but say it. You go to the bar and say, ‘Can I have Another Round?’ Right there, it stuck.”
Brewing Festivus Coming back to Elon for his senior year, Danieley brought Another Round with him. “It started the night we got here in August, the first night we moved in,” Danieley recalls. “That was when I was talking with Will Lee, who makes the video for the brew events. I was talking with him about partnering with the Festivus guys to do a
Danieley said. “I took people’s ideas into consideration — what people liked to drink and what would be interesting to brew.” When Danieley speaks about his beer, it sounds like he’s describing art. He breaks it down, each ingredient its own color and the beer the masterpiece like any Van Gogh or Monet. But this masterpiece is one you can drink. He’s deeply interested in the process. He knows his IPAs from his pilsners. And when he talks about a beer he is especially passionate about, he becomes reverent. October Festivus is one such beer. It took a few solid batches and a healthy dose of experimentation, but soon the October Festivus beer was born — a malty and full-bodied beer, with a bitter finish that pays homage to Danieley’s love for the London Prides that inspired him. Danieley describes October Festivus with obvious satisfaction. With the same understated pride in his voice that accompanies his persona, he praises it as a “very drinkable beer.” When the beer launched at the October Festivus event, it satisfied its customers. Danieley and his team brewed more than 100 beers, and they quickly ran out. The Another Round name had made its first splash into the Elon student body, and it was decidedly sticking around. No one was more pleasantly surprised than Danieley. “There was a perception going into [the event] about, ‘Here’s this guy who is making beer,’ and I don’t think anyone had an idea what the beer was going to be like,”
“
Lauryl Fischer Features Editor
I thought it would be incredibly satisfying to drink beer that you made from scratch. And it is. Phillip Danieley brew night.” Festivus agreed, and Danieley set to work crafting a beer tailored to Elon students. He had to consider a broad spectrum of tastes and directions. What hadn’t he tried? What was easy to duplicate? And what could he learn from his past trials? “I wanted to get to a point where I was comfortable brewing and giving the brew to people, so we did a few test batches,”
Danieley said. “And when they tried it, they realized — ‘Oh this is real COVER STORY | 15
beer. This is something you can buy in a store.’” Interest grew. Word spread. Festivus agreed to another event in the spring — to accompany the infamous muddy main event of the year — which Danieley is in talks for now. A following around Danieley and Another Round was brewing.
Bursting the beer bubble This following culminated in Another Round’s next venture: A Burst the Bubbleclass. Danieley knew he would have no problem gathering students for his class. If there was one thing he knew about beer, it was that people love it. And though the class would serve as publicity for Another Round, what really inspired Danieley to start the class was sharing his own love for home brewing. “I pair my classes with a short lecture… learning about the different styles of beer, the four main ingredients,” Danieley said. “And then after every class, we go and have a drink at the Oak House.” There, Danieley’s fellow beer aficionados order whatever is on tap that week and throw back a few pints. They learn new tastes and expand their palettes. Danieley also wants to give his class the vocabulary it takes to talk about beer — to know how to describe what they’re drinking — and these outings to Oak House help the words stick. “To know what you’re tasting and to put it into words, that’s one of the hardest things to do, without sounding pretentious and putting on airs,” Danieley said. “But it’s very rewarding when you know what you’re drinking and you can talk about it.” Then every Saturday, Danieley’s devoted students are invited to Brew Day at his place, where they get to brew themselves. The more excited students are suggesting new notes to add to the beers, like fruits and spices, which challenges Danieley with brews he has not had experimented with. It’s what Danieley wants — to encourage more people to brew, so when he leaves Elon, the tradition can live on. To Danieley, the commu16 | COVER STORY
nity that beer can create is the best part of the process. “Beer is a social thing,” Danieley said. “You can go out with friends. You can have events. You can brew it. There are so many aspects of the community. You have your bartender and he knows you and knows what kind of beers you like. You have your brewers, your customers… All of these things are situated around beer.”
a family business Before October Festivus and before Burst the Bubble, there was the family distribution truck. Over the summer, Danieley’s days started at three in the morning. He’d wake up to the pitch-black sky, hop into the shower to wash off last night’s sleep and then join his brother and his cousins on the truck by 5 a.m. A 12-to-16 hour workday followed — a day full of hauling barrels and loading beer. “You go home at the end of the day, you eat a meal and go to bed and do the same thing the next day,” Danieley said. “There’s no time for anything else, but it’s rewarding. You know your work matters.” For Danieley, it’s just doing his part for his family. The Danieleys have a long history of working in the beer industry, stretching back to Danieley’s great-grandfather, who started a distribution company in Nashville. Both of Danieley’s uncles also work for a distribution company — Ajax Turner. With one uncle working in Nashville and the other in Clarksville, each has their own specialty in a brand of beer. “Going to the beach as a family when we were younger, my parents would always argue about who was
RR
going to bring the beers,” says Danieley. “Are we going to be drinking Miller Coolers? Or Anheuser-Busch? Beer’s always been around. I’ve always grown up with that.” With such early exposure, it’s no surprise to Danieley he’s involved in home brewing now. Beer, it turns out, is in his blood. After graduation, he plans to return to the beer industry, willing to put in the hours on a truck or on the factory floor. And Another Round is coming with him. “Another round is sort of a replacement word for me,” Danieley said as he reflects on Another Round’s future. “It’s what I use to refer to myself, and to my beer brewing. In the long term, it would be great to have a brewing company and a beer garden and a taproom. But you have a lot to learn to successfully run a place like that. But [Another Round] will continue to go on with me as I home brew. From there, we’ll see where it goes.”
Meet Mr. Bahama Llama
Brett Spelker was tired of wearing the same clothes and spending a fortune on them. From Vineyard Vines to J.Crew, brand names were a staple in his life but a hazard to his wallet. His solution: create his own clothing line. “Really it was just a dream until this August when I got together with my brother and four of our close friends. We gathered the capital and got it up and running,” said Spelker, a sophomore at Elon. Thus Bahama Llama was born, a preppy clothing line focused on quality and affordability, geared toward college students and their budgets. Bahama Llama currently has two dress shirts — one green and one blue — for half the price of a dress shirt bought at Vineyard Vines. “People spend 80 dollars for the whale,” said Spelker. “But they don’t need to.” Bahama Llama distinguishes itself from its competitors with the different-colored trim on a shirt’s cuffs and its collar.
“I saw the different-colored trim along the buttons [of a shirt] when I was in Spain, and I really liked it,” said Spelker of his inspiration. “So we brought it to our shirts.” From there, Spelker had to establish the Bahama Llama brand name. He tackled the challenge online, setting up his social media to advertise for free. Using these channels and word-ofmouth, Bahama Llama began to pick up steam, especially on Elon’s campus. Spelker’s brother has begun to advertise on Villanova’s campus as well, where the Bahama Llama’s name recognition is gaining strength. “In the next six months, I can really see us settling on a few campuses, like Elon, Villanova and Richmond,” said Spelker. Though the company is still
new, Spelker has learned from his endeavors already and hopes to use his experience later in life. “I would love to work internationally,” said Spelker. “I want to travel when I’m young and bring my business with me.”
FEATURES |17
Stupid In Lov Let Them Eat Cake Ditch the pink and red hues and go for something unexpected for that night out with girls or a cozy dinner for two.
18 FASHION
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sweater by j. Mclaughlin Vest by Damselle new york jeans by American Eagle OUtfitters heels by louise et cie
FASHION | 19
Dress is Lindsay’s grandmother’s from the 60s, from sears boots by weitzman
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Red Velvet Get casual by rocking a cozy turtleneck, red skinnies and matching kicks.
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White Sweater by chelsea 28 burgundy pants by hudson red converse by all star FASHION | 21
White Romper by Stone Cold fox Burgundy bralette Urban OUtfitters red boots by love moschino
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A flirty playsuit and heart sunnies may be your best bet if you’re looking to turn heads.
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ONE DIRECTION
WHy we need to pay attention Mary Sheehan Entertainment Editor
24 ENTERTAINMENT
It started as a typical interview at Sugarscape for Harry Styles and Liam Payne, two of the members of allstar boy-band One Direction, as they promoted their newest album FOUR. Then, the interviewer asked a common question: what traits do the boys look for in a girl? “Female,” commented Payne with a joking smile. With a side-glance at his band mate, Styles shrugged and responded: “Not that important.” Social media websites immediately went wild with speculation. Was One Direction’s most famous womanizer coming out as bisexual or gay? One part of the One Direction fandom was nonplussed by the comment — the LGBTQIA supporters. While most people perceive Directioners as a mob of hysterical, heterosexual teenage girls, the LGBTQIA community is bigger and more involved in the One Direction fandom than the mass media might think. And with millions of fans worldwide, One Direction supporters are becoming a force to be reckoned with Styles’ comment was not the first incident, just one of many. He once
wore a Michael Sam jersey in concert in support of the first openly gay NFL player. He spoke out against Westboro Baptist Church when they picketed outside one of the band’s venues. During another interview, he told bandmate Niall Horan, “Don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it,” in reference to Horan hypothetically dating a boy. Styles isn’t the only one. Six days after the infamous “Not that important” interview, Louis Tomlinson stepped out in the London streets, donning a shirt with a rainbow Apple logo a few days after Apple CEO Tim Cook came out as a gay man in front of an international audience. His t-shirt could have been an outward show of support for his band mate, Tim Cook and the LGBTQIA community at large. LGBTQIA fans have a long-standing tradition of “shipping” (or supporting a perceived relationship between two people, either fictionalized or real) Styles and Tomlinson. Affectionately called “Larry Stylinson,” they are the most popular ship in the world. According to UK’s “The Mirror,” Tomlinson’s tweet “Always in my heart @ harrystyles” is the most retweeted
One Direction arrives at the 2013 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 24, 2013. PHOTO BY ADAM ORCHON/SIPA USA MCT, COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
and favorite tweet in history, surpassing the photo of Obama’s reelection in November 2012. “Larry Stylinson” is even being added to the dictionary. “Because One Direction is so large, it feels almost safe to ship them. I can feel comfortable reading and writing fan fiction in which they’re together, because I know they’ll never see it,” said Lee Buono, an Elon University sophomore who identifies as nonbinary. According to Buono, Harry Styles’ effeminate appearance is especially empowering to non-binary individuals. “Harry Styles’ general femininity is empowering,” said Buono. “His style and general upkeep isn’t always super masculine, and it’s refreshing. One Direction is the biggest band in the world, and him saying gender isn’t important in love is huge for anyone who identifies as LGBT.” Not only is One Direction having a personal impact for LGBTQIA fans, but the fandom culture plays an important role in the revival of the feminist movement. Fans have found fandoms a safe place to express their sexuality without being open or publi-
cally shamed for it. “Fan platforms have become a safe and open space for fans to practice their sexuality and discuss it in a comfortable and happy manner,” said gender studies student Alex Vandermaas-Peeler. “Larry Stylinson” neutralizes the idea of a patriarchal relationship, in which a boy has more perceived power than a girl in a relationship, according to Coffee + Stink blogger Gretchen Kast. When both partners are the same gender, both partners have equal power. Young people seeking portrayals of open, equal relationships in media can identify with Larry Stylinson and these kinds of LGBTQIA ships. “[Larry shippers’] actions are laden with the complexities of our current social climate. They have formed a community and collective identity to solve their fears alongside those for the world around them,” said Kast in her blog. Fan platforms often include some type of Larry fan fiction, fan art and detailed explanations of their fan theories. Buono is a Larry shipper hirself
(gender neutral pronoun) and finds Larry references in art or in the media refreshing. “When fans see art depicting Larry Stylinson, they are gradually becoming more comfortable with the idea of a gay couple in mainstream media,” said Buono. “This kind of exposure is monumental.” Lyrics in One Direction’s albums are even subtly changing to be more gender-neutral. Early hits such as “Gotta Be You” often repeat the word “girl” for emphasis. This is not the case in FOUR. While some songs still reference typically feminine pronouns, the majority has shifted to the more generic “baby” and “you,” making it easier for LGBTQIA fans to relate. As mainstream u.S. audiences move toward being more open and accepting, Directioners have become one of the forces for this positive societal change. “I became a One Direction fan because their music was so catchy,” Lee said. “Now, it’s more than that. I see them as helping young generations become progressively more tolerant and understanding.
ENTERTAINMENT 25
AMPLIFYING THE VAGINA A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
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very Valentine’s Day, The Vagina Monologues makes waves on campus. Some ask each other, with the sort of discomfort and intrigue that once accompanied the word Voldemort, “Are you going to... the monologues?” Others jump at the excuse to say the other big V-word. But if the play’s cast gets its way, by the time the show comes to a close, Elon University students will feel one step closer to saying the word that carries most of the title’s weight: vagina. The Vagina Monologues, a one-act play created by Eve Ensler in the 1990s, seeks to reshape the way we talk about vaginas — with a focus on empowerment. The play remains in production today, both nationally and beyond, as a testament to the fact that women’s experiences are still swept under the rug. But every Feb. 14, at least on our campus, vaginas are brought to light. Directors, producer and cast members alike are working hard to make a show that will amplify the typically-silenced vagina — and all the “baggage” that comes with it. “At Elon, we have a tendency to be polite and reserved,” said current senior cast member Delaney McHugo, a leader of Elon
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Feminists for Equality, Change, and Transformation (EFFECT), Elon’s feminist organization. “A production like this allows students exposure to total openness about the vagina, in all of the forms that it comes in, and all of the experiences that come with it.” Co-director Rebecca Nipper believes there is a continued need for The Vagina Monologues at Elon. “We need anything that is about women, and not specifically about white, rich, straight women. When we do include women, those are the women we include,”
“Shout out to Eve Ensler,” Nipper said of the script update. When one considers that trans women are often ignored, even in supposedly feminist circles, the inclusion of trans women in a play that centers around womanhood is huge. “Showing this to an audience that may not know much about trans women can change a lot of minds, hopefully, if we do it righ,” Nipped said. Cast member Olivia Zayas Ryan, who plays a part of the trans woman’s monologue, is excited about the show becoming more inclusive. “People connect to art, and visuals, and hearing words in a theatrical way will make it easier for people to connect,” she said. And the production is making moves to achieve just that. Codirector Ciara C o r c o r a n is equally enthusiastic about the show’s ability to shift perspectives. “Theater is a great medium to learn about things that you haven’t thought of before, because you have to be present and actively watching,” she said. “Theater isn’t something you skim on a page and then forget about — you’re sitting right there and watching the show.” So far, Corcoran and Nipper have the cast coming in for individual run-throughs of their monologues.
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Rachel Lewis Features Writer
We need anything that is about women — and not specifically about white rich straight women.
26 | FEATURES
REBECCA NIPPER she said. Criticized in the past for not being truly inclusive of all women, this year is the first that the Elon production will include a transgender woman’s monologue. A trans person is a person who identifies with a gender different from the one that they were assigned at birth. The monologue focuses specifically on a woman going through a transition as she struggles to define and eventually accept herself.
They’ve planned group reads for early spring semester, but pressure is real as the play debuts in less than three weeks. Corcoran says that, despite the stress, she and Nipper work well together since they have different directing styles but a similar vision. “Becca’s more enthusiastic, and I’m more big-picture, which is good because it allows us to provide more feedback to the actresses,” Corcoran said. So what makes The Vagina Monologues a must-see? “It’s helped me, it’s helped my friends, it’s helped people around me accept their body, explore their sexuality, explore their gender and explore their vagina,” said McHugo, who was introduced to the play during her first year at Elon and found it incredibly moving. “It’s a ripple-effect production, the kind that can change your whole outlook on something that you’ve had for so long, which is kind of revolutionary.” And it’s for a good cause. Cast member Allison Pichowitz was drawn in by the good heart of the production. Every year, the proceeds alternate Family Abuse Services (FAS), an organization that provides support for survivors of domestic violence and their children, and CrossRoads, a resource for survivors of sexual assault. Last year’s production raised more than $2,000 for FAS, and even had Dr. Smith Jackson in its audience. Cast member Courtney MacMasters said that Elon students aren’t always down to talk about vaginas. “In general,” she said, “people here are conservative, and from families that wouldn’t normally talk about vaginas. It’s really cool because I never had these conversations [at home], and I’m now getting the chance to talk about vaginas openly, and to get people to listen and talk about
them too.” What truly adds to the show’s depth is its base in reality. The Vagina Monologues is made of the stories of real women. “To put myself into the shoes of these women has been an incredible experience because you really have to feel what they would be feeling,” Ryan said. “You’re forced to empathize in a way you don’t typically empathize... it’s made me more aware.” The fact that these are indeed factual accounts prevents the play
from being seen by cast members as “man-hating” in any way. Allison said that the show isn’t just made of generalizations — it’s made of real, lived experiences. Because of this, MacMasters says that the show isn’t just for women. “It’s not ‘I’m a woman and I hate guys.’ It’s ‘This is some shit we go through, this is how we feel and now we want you to listen.’” One thing you should know about The Vagina Monologues? “It’ll make you want to buy a nice pair of underwear,” Pichowitz said.
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