April 14, 2022
Campus News
PAGE 4
An onstage statement The annual Vagina Monologues took place in front of a packed Fuller Arts Center on April 7, 8 and 9. ___ By Carley Crain ___ @carley_crain12
Students performing at the Vagina Monologues at the Fuller Arts Center. (Photo by Mary Lee)
A sold-out crowd filled the Fuller Arts Center on Friday night. Many wore this year’s signature black shirt stating “Peace, Love and Vaginas,” as everyone anxiously waited for what promised to be an empowering and uplifting show. Friends, family, and teammates filled the audience in support of the powerful women in their lives– cheering loudly in excitement. Originally created in 1996 by women’s rights advocate Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues has served as a cultural movement for women, and has given them the chance to cel-
ebrate their sexualities, instead of shying away from it. The performance, which features numerous unique short skits or written pieces, has provided thousands of women the opportunity to express themselves authentically. Ensler was deeply committed to providing a safe space for women who may be survivors of sexual assault or violence, and many Springfield College students have shared their stories candidly through her program. This year’s theme was, “Use your voice.” The all-female cast was inspired to speak up and
bring awareness to an array of women’s rights issues. Junior Erin Smith wrote a personal narrative about a traumatic sexual experience she had in high school. She felt it was the right time to share her story, and since this is her second year being a part of Vagina Monologues, Smith finally felt comfortable being completely vulnerable. While reading her story to the audience three nights in a row was difficult, it felt like she was breaking free from invisible restraints that have paralized her mentally and emotionally at times consistently over
the past few years. “I read it in front of everyone and it was probably the most patrifying thing I have ever had to do in my life, but it was so rewarding and healing in a way,” explained Smith. “I would not have been able to do it without the courageous and authentic people who are involved with this production.” Junior Chelsey Castle had a different, but just as valuable, experience as Smith this year being involved with Vagina Monologues. At the beginning of the school year, Castle wrote a note to herself stating some goals she wanted
to achieve. The biggest goal of them all was to find a group on campus where she felt like she belonged. In an Instagram post, Castle wrote; “My goal this year is to find a group of people who support me no matter what and support what I want unconditionally. That was the driving reason for joining Vagina Monologues in the first place. “VM gave me more than just that support, it gave me connections that helped me make it through this year. I never in my life would imagine getting up on stage and doing some-
