MCCC Theatre Program to Present THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, 3/7-8

Mercer County Community College's Theatre Program will shine a spotlight on the continuing plague of violence against women during Women's History Month in March. Theatre and Entertainment Technology students team up to present Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" at MCCC's Trenton Campus on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Kerney Hall, 102 North Broad Street.

According to Jody Person, MCCC Theatre Program coordinator, the production is part of the International V-Day Celebration. "We want to do our part to end violence against women. We believe in breaking the silence. This show gives women permission to consider their bodies and their sexuality with more confidence. We believe it can help save lives," he said.

Ninety percent of the proceeds will be donated to Womanspace Inc., a Mercer County nonprofit that works to prevent abuse, protect families, and change lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services. Additional proceeds will be donated to the V-Day Spotlight Campaign, an effort to reduce violence against women worldwide. (One of the group's projects is to enable community groups to perform "The Vagina Monologues" without paying a royalty fee so that proceeds go mainly to local charities.)

The MCCC production's emcee is Monica Weaver, provost at the Trenton Campus. Student performers include Lydia Balogh of Hightstown, Zania Barnwell of Trenton, Margot Bergeron of Hamilton, Paloma Burr of Princeton, Patricia Gates of Trenton, Sydnie Gingles of Trenton, Princess Hoagland of Trenton, Savanti Knight of Lumberton, Kourtney Treimaine of Trenton, and Kelly Williams of Yardly, PA. English faculty member Amy Vondrak will also perform.

Person, who conducted extensive research before proceeding with the production, says he was struck by the current level of violence experienced by women in the United States. "What keeps firing in my brain is that 200,000 women and girls are raped each year. That number is outrageous and hard to believe, but it is true. It is my main reason for putting on this production."

The show is composed of a series of monologues with poignant and often starkly pointed messages. "We have taken great care to see that each message is appropriately and dramatically expressed," Person said, adding that the cast is multi-generational and ethnically diverse, giving a voice to women of different ages and races.

Tickets for "The Vagina Monologues" are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students. (MCCC students, faculty and staff are eligible for discount tickets.) Tickets are available online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333. Tickets are also available at the Bursar's Office (KC218) at the Trenton Campus. A limited number will be available at the door.