V-DAY SOMERVILLE:
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
The Vagina Monologues celebrates the experiences of women of all ages while acknowledging the many forms and effects of abuse and misinformation perpetrated against them. Playwright Eve Ensler based each segment -- some funny, some tragic, all inspiring -- on her interviews with women and girls throughout the country and the world. This production is part of the 15th anniversary of V-Day and the anniversary movement, One Billion Rising. 10% of our proceeds will benefit the V-Day Spotlight Foundation, the remaining 90% will support the Somerville Coalition for Women.
ROLES
Introduction – at least 3 voices - this piece sets the stage, introduces the material and includes a litany of names for the vagina. Most segments have additional introductory sections.
Hair – 1 voice – one woman’s story about her pubic hair and her marriage.
The “Wear and Say” Lists – at least 3 voices – a litany of responses to the questions “If your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?” and “If your vagina could talk, what would it say, in two words?”
The Flood – 1 voice – a monologue about a woman overwhelmed by her body’s reaction to her first sexual experience.
The Vagina Workshop – 1 voice, British or otherwise upper-class accent – a woman experiences her first deliberate orgasm at a vagina workshop.
Vagina Happy Fact – 1 voice – a short, celebratory fact about vaginas.
Because He Liked to Look At It – 1 voice – a woman connects with her vagina through the experience of having a lover explicitly appreciate it.
Not-So-Happy Fact – 1 voice – an excerpt from UNICEF’s 2005 Report, “Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting. A Statistical Exploration.”
My Angry Vagina – 1 voice – a woman’s rant on behalf of her vagina.
My Vagina Was My Village – 1 or 2 voices – a poetic exploration of the experience of Bosnia refugee and rape survivor.
The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could – 1 voice, Southern accent – the story of one homeless woman’s survival of sexual abuse and coming to celebrate her vagina.
Reclaiming Cunt - 1 voice – spelling out the word “cunt” and reclaiming it.
A six-year-old girl was asked… - 2 voices – a short litany based on a six year old girl’s answers to questions about her vagina.
The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy – 1 voice – a paean to the moans of women.
I Was There In the Room - 1 voice – a story of birth, a love song and tribute poem to the power of the vagina.
Spotlight Narration – 1 voice - Why are One Billion Rising this V-Day?
3 people rise - 3 voices – original statements of why you are rising.
PARTICIPATION T@F welcomes volunteers at all levels of experience, without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, body type, age or disability. For The Vagina Monologues we specifically encourage auditions by actors and non-actors; women of all ages, identities and descriptions; lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and straight women, including both and trans- and cis-gendered women. Men wanting to participate in this production and women who are not interested in performance roles are encouraged to email to participate in an offstage capacity. Auditioners are encouraged to indicate on their audition form how they would like to be involved offstage.
PREPARATION There is no need to memorize anything for this audition. In performance, all cast members will hold index cards with their lines on them. Excerpts that we will be reading in auditions are available on our website. We encourage you to read them over and perhaps practice one or more, to get comfortable with the material.
AUDITIONS Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. If you have not filled out an audition form in advance, extra copies will be available. Headshots and resumes are not required. When your audition time arrives, the director will introduce herself and sides for readings will be assigned. If you have prepared a particular selection, you will be given the opportunity to perform that one. While you are reading, the director may stop you to re-direct—this is not an indication that what you are doing is wrong, simply that she is giving you the opportunity to show her something more. Most auditioners will read two scenes. We understand that auditions are nerve-wracking—we want you to relax, have fun, and have every opportunity to show us what you can do.
NOTIFICATION You will be notified, one way or another, by Friday, December 15th at 5pm. We apologize for the delay, but want cast-members to be able to consider their commitment to Lysistrata before deciding to commit to this show. Please make sure that your contact information is legible. If you have not heard from us by that time, please email .
READ-THRU The first reading of the play will take place at 7pm on Monday, December 17th at Unity Somerville.
REHEARSALS All-cast rehearsals will take place at Unity Somerville 6-9pm on Sundays starting January 6th. One-on-one or small group work with the Director and Assistant Director will be scheduled at other times. There will be one rehearsal at the Somerville Theatre on Thursday, February 7th.
CONFLICTS If you have any conflicts with the rehearsal schedule, please make a note of them on your audition form. Given the brief rehearsal period, if you have significant conflicts that may affect your being in the cast, but we hope that you will be involved in the production in other ways.
COSTUMES Each member of the cast will be asked to wear black pants or a long skirt and a t-shirt in a solid color, neither black or white. If you do not have these items, we will help you to locate ones to wear.
PERFORMANCES There will be performances at 3pm and 8pm on Saturday, February 9th at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square. The two casts may not be identical.
FEEDBACK We try to make our auditions as smooth and pleasant as possible. If you have comments or questions regarding the process, please speak to one of our staff, or email
Thank you very much for auditioning for Theatre@First.
Beckie Hunter Elizabeth Hunter
Producer, The Vagina Monologues Director, The Vagina Monologues
President, T@F Artistic Director, T@F