Seminary Community To Perform 'Vagina Monologues'

Submitted by Christopher Schilling, a student at the seminary

It started last year just as a conversation between four women at (SFTS). But then it turned into something that has not only shaped the entire seminary community, but has helped bring down barriers and given a voice and a face to millions of women across the world who live in silence. And this year, these women are hoping to be that voice again.

On March 9 and 10, a group of fifteen women who are students, staff, faculty, and community members from different ages, cultures, and backgrounds at the seminary will perform at 7 p.m. in Scott Hall for the general public.

This production, which is based off of Eve Ensler's original performance, consists of different monologues delivered by women and seeks to bring empowerment and appreciation to women for their own bodies and to be a voice for many women across the world who find themselves voiceless when it comes to being abused and oppressed.

Rachel Pence, a second year Masters in Divinity student at the Presbyterian Church USA seminary, is one of the women who not only helped organize the event last year at the seminary, but is also one of the performers again this year. Pence noticed The Vagina Monologues weren't being performed at seminaries on a regular basis like they were on college campuses. So she and her classmates decided to plan a production at their own seminary.

“There is no better place than to bring this voice into the church,” Pence said. “Especially since the church has been a place where women have not always been uplifted. And at times, the church has been the source for the oppression against women. We want to change that.”

Last year, Pence said, it took a large effort to put the production together at SFTS, because people tended to be somewhat hesitant when first hearing about it. However, very quickly, she and the other women involved in planning saw not only the enthusiasm from the women who decided to perform, but they also saw the shared hope all the women had in bringing a voice to other women all across the world.

“It was our shared feeling of empowerment that I felt not only in the dressing room and during our dress rehearsals, but it's also on the stage,” Pence said. “And its our hope that we will again be able to have this shared feeling of empowerment radiate out to others because it's definitely radiating within us.”

Marissa Danney, a second year Masters in Divinity student at SFTS, said the monologues seeks to make others aware about the many things women across the world deal with on a daily basis.

“I think in a lot of ways The Vagina Monologues help people realize the voices which have been silenced,” Danney said. “Sometimes parts of the performance can be uncomfortable, but it helps people realize they just haven't heard these certain voices before. And its by hearing these voices that not only helps others change their own behavior and how they interact with women in the world, but it also helps them to support these voices which aren't being heard.”

The performance at SFTS has also received a lot of support from the seminary community. In fact, not only did SFTS President Jim McDonald mention the production in his inauguration address last month, but there will be faculty and staff also performing in the monologues again this year.

Danney said the monologues are a manifestation of SFTS's strengths in social justice and community.

“We got an immense support from a community that enjoys having dialogue and growing together and we have a shared passion together for stopping violence against women so it's really a great experience for this community," said Danney.

Pence said her greatest hope for the production this year is to put down roots. She said while last year she and others sought to introduce this issue to the seminary and the larger community, she is hoping to build off this year's Vagina Monologues show.

“This is something that needs to be done, especially in seminaries,” Pence said. “Not all seminaries feel comfortable with it, but it's something that SFTS has proven to stand behind it so I hope it will stand hold on its own and will really take off.”

If you go: The SFTS Vagina Monologues will be performed Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. at the Scott Hall Lounge. There is a suggested Donation of $5 - $25 at the door.