Students organize `Vagina' readings
Observer Staff Report
Following College president Marilou Eldred's announcement that student organizations could not officially sponsor a reading of The Vagina Monologues on campus, groups of students have been banding together to read the play on their own.
One student reading of the controversial play will be held tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Regina Dance Studio, The Observer learned Sunday evening. While the students who are doing the dramatic reading declined comment, several students on campus had learned of the reading late Sunday night.
Twelve LeMans residents gathered in the Tower Room Sunday evening to read the play, said Le Mans resident assistant Sarah Chaudoir.
"We thought it was an important piece to be read," Chaudoir said. "[The reading] was to eliminate some of the mystery."
College administrators prevented the play from being officially sponsored by any campus groups in late January, when College president Marilou Eldred told student organizers she would not allow the play on campus this year. The play first was performed at Saint Mary's last February, and drew two sold-out performances in Carroll Auditorium.
Eldred's decision to cancel the play was based in the concern that it would draw more controversy than healthy discussion after members of the Parents Council, alumnae and the Board of Trustees expressed discontent with the play's purpose. The issues of lesbianism and explicit discussion of sexuality have caused some members of the Saint Mary's community to question its appropriateness for a Catholic campus. Since the decision, students have arranged a speak-out on the issue and protested with a sit-in in front of Eldred's office.
The nationally acclaimed play, currently playing off-Broadway, is authored by Eve Ensler and addresses issues of women's sexuality. In particular, the movement to perform the Monologues on college campuses is part of an effort that began three years ago to stop violence against women.
Several public and private colleges and universities nationwide are currently participating in the V-Day College Initiative, which grants colleges the free use of the script until Feb. 21. The initiative is founded to help educational institutions take a stand against violence towards women.
While tonight's reading is not a performance and is not being sponsored by any campus club or group, it has caught the eye of student leaders, who have been observing the debate over the Monologues since last year's performance. While Board of Governance has yet to issue a formal statement about the Monologues, student body president Crissie Renner will be in attendance at tonight's reading.
"I found out about it from one of the women that is reading it," Renner said. "I'll probably swing by."
All News Stories for Monday, February 19, 2001
