V-day at York will be hosting their fourth annual production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, with all proceeds going to the North York Women’s Shelter. But the planning starts now, as the casting call goes out.
Deanna Galati, producer and former performer with V-day at York, says the event is “an empowering movement that allows women to feel confident with themselves as individuals, while also allowing women to express and share their experiences with other women in a safe and welcoming environment.”
V-day is a global activist movement that was inspired by Ensler’s play in 1998. V-day aspires to end violence against women and girls by using The Vagina Monologues to create awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. Over $80 million has been raised globally for female victims of violence and sexual abuse, as well as on education efforts.
V-day at York has been dedicated to raising the awareness of gender violence issues on campus and in the wider community. Over the past three years, the group has donated over $15,000 towards the North York Women’s Shelter. York’s production of the play will continue to attract broader attention towards issues including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation, and sex slavery.
Event director Stephanie Gundert believes in the importance of this play at York because it provides women with a safe space to express themselves.
“The Vagina Monolgues are a powerful way to create dialogue about violence against women,” she says. “Violence against women is a continuing epidemic in our global society, and theatre is just one way to keep the conversation about eradicating these crucial issues alive and progressing.”
“Whether you want to perform, work behind the scenes, donate or come watch and share the experience, The Vagina Monologues has a place for you,” agree both Galati and Gundert.
Sarah Peterson
Staff Writer
