Controversial play dismissed from campus

EMU juniors Rachel Swartzendruber and Linell Smith have taken their production of the “Vagina Monologues” off campus after the administration decided the benefit performance wouldn’t be appropriate for EMU.

Since the nature of this play would undoubtedly be controversial, theater professor Barb Graber decided it should be reviewed by the Academic Dean’s office. The Dean’s office chose a group of people to review the proposal. After review, there was no definite consensus. An additional meeting was planned, and the play was preformed for the group. After two meetings, the group did not make a final judgment as to whether the play was appropriate for EMU.

"The final decision was made administratively," said Beryl Brubaker, Academic Provost and Graduate Dean.

After the decision was made, Graber said that the play was "not the right play for EMU" and that "this is because we need to be respectful of Mennonite values on this campus."

Graber also stressed that the play may have a valuable message; however, some of the content is not appropriate for the EMU campus. The play contains vulgarity and "tends to push the boundaries far beyond cultural norms."

After speaking with students involved with the project, it was apparent that this decision was accepted. The location was moved to the Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg. When interviewed, many seemed pleased with the outcome.

Shannon Terranova, who has a role in the play, said, "I’m kind of glad it was moved off campus. That means I won’t have to worry about getting dirty looks. Also, we are allowed more control over the production, and the participants will probably feel less intimidation playing their sometimes uncomfortable roles."

Just Voices, a "volunteer group of concerned citizens," circulated colored flyers that directed attention towards the administration’s alleged unwillingness to evaluate the usefulness of the production. The flyer created a stir among students, faculty, and even members of the play.

A key participant in the play said, "I was embarrassed by it (the flyer). The administration was very willing to work with us, and they took the idea very seriously. It was just a question of should it be on campus or not."

Other universities have reportedly blocked production of the “Vagina Monologues” on campus for similar reasons. James Madison University recently did so, as well as Loyola University, a Jesuit school in New Orleans. Kristine Lelong, spokeswoman for Loyola, confirmed this according to Yahoo! News. The language of the play was a factor in the decision to move the production off campus.

The play is the result of Eve Ensler’s research into the sociological intricacies of women’s inner feelings and self realization. A collection of interviews with women across the world crudely describes the reality of abuse, neglect, and repression of a woman’s body and self-image.

One witnesses this play through an uncomfortable and frightening looking glass that portrays a very real and surprisingly widespread perspective. Ensler accentuates the emotional aspect of the interviews in a way that strongly ties viewers to the reality of sexual violence and repression whether they have experienced it or not.

After viewing the monologue, Roxy Michael said, "I almost cried."

The production indirectly covers many topics from physical abuse to sexual awareness.