In a special feature that will benefit the Safe-T Women’s Shelter, Paris Community Theatre’s Off-Plaza will produce a version of the controversial and influential play, The Vagina Monologues, written by Eve Ensler.
Hiroshima 2008 – Vagina Monologues Poster by Nicky Fernandes
The play first showed in 1996 as an Off-Broadway production and has since gained popularity all over the world, been shown as an HBO special starring Ensler herself, and has also spawned a movement against violence towards women, benefitting shelters and anti-violence groups worldwide.
In its debut performance, Ensler played each character in the episodic play — casted as a variety of different women, each reading a ‘monologue’ addressing a different aspect of femininity and the woman’s life at different ages, discussing matters such as love, birth, sex, menstruation and other aspects of the female body. According to Wikipedia.org, the theme throughout The Vagina Monologues is to embody individuality and female empowerment.
Ensler and others created the movement, V-Day, with a focus of raising money and awareness for groups that provide shelters and anti-violence resources for women. Since its inception it has raised almost $100 million for its cause.
Participants in the movement stage performances of the play, as The Vagina Monologues serves as the foundation for the movement. Such beneficial events take place all over the world every year between February 1st and April 30th. As a tradition, each year a new ‘monologue’ is added, often themed towards pertinent events or ideas of that year.
One of these V-Day Movement events will take place in Paris, Texas on April 12, 13 and 14 at the Paris Community Theatre in historic downtown — 30 N. Plaza.
All the proceeds for the show will go to the benefit of the Safe-T Women’s Shelter, who has the mission of providing shelter services for abused women and children in North East Texas — services which include programs such as R.I.S.K. (Resource, Information, Skills and Knowledge), an anger management group for teens, Sexual Assault counseling, Transitional Housing, and The Child Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program.
Visit their website to learn more or make a donation at www.safe-tagency.com.
The PCT Off-Plaza production of The Vagina Monologues will be directed by Lisa Martin and Sydney Snelling Young.
The audition schedule for the event is set for 7pm on February 20th and 21th (Wednesday & Thursday) at the Gary Brown Centre for Creative Arts.
A number of characters are needed for the play, as several roles welcome women of all ages and ethnicities, however, no children, as the play is an Off-Plaza production (Click for more information), and will feature adult content. New people are encouraged. For more information call PCT at (903) 784-0259 on weekdays after 1pm.
More information about the beneficial special feature coming in April will follow as the cast list is released and the event gets closer. Thank you for reading the eParis Extra!
