Every year, Tufts students put on a production of "The Vagina Monologues" organized by an independent student group working through the Women's Center.
The annual nature of the show might create a sense among some students that each performance is just a repeat of the previous year's. After all, there's only so much to be said about vaginas.
Senior Becca Katz and sophomore Chelsea Donahue, two students who are responsible for much of "The Vagina Monologues"'s production, adamantly disagree with such a conclusion.
"The monologues are the same, but each woman performs them differently. There's a different spin, different layers and a different energy to each show," Donahue said. "Besides, the repetition is meaningful. These issues are still relevant."
In addition, Donahue and Katz agree that the cast's diversity makes it stand out from other productions, contributing to the many diverse viewpoints expressed in the monologues.
"This cast gives a really organic performance. Many of them have never seen the show before, so there's no emulation," Katz said.
"Their performance and the show's material really speak to everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or belief system."
So what exactly does "The Vagina Monologues" address - besides just the obvious?
Far from the image of a Cosmo advice column put on stage which the name might conjure to the uninitiated, "The Vagina Monologues" explores women's perception of their own sexuality.
The show also aims to raise awareness for V-Day, a global movement focused on stopping violence against women held on Feb. 14.
The day's name has a three-fold meaning, standing simultaneously for victory, valentine, and vagina.
Each year, 10 percent of the show's profits go to the V-Day organization and 90 percent go to a local charity.
This year's show will benefit Kol Isha, a Boston-area support group that provides women with many services, including counseling, transportation, outreach and a multi-lingual staff.
The V-Day campaign focuses its efforts on one spotlight issue each year, focusing this year on women in conflict zones.
"The show deals with issues of violence, and its final message is a call for peace," Katz said. "This is activist theater."
Though "The Vagina Monologues" bluntly deals with a subject still considered by some to be taboo, Donahue and Katz insist that the show isn't intended to be sensationalist.
"We spend a lot of time stamping out misinformation about the show," Donohue said.
"It's explicit, but not vulgar," Katz said. "It's tasteful in its own context."
Donahue and Katz encourage both women and men to attend the show.
"It's an eye-opening experience. Women will laugh and be brought to tears. Guys will gain a deeper insight into a woman's mind," Donahue said.
Katz agreed. "This show is about bringing people together, not turning them away," she said. "It's not about hating men or alienating men; it's just not about men at all."
Donahue emphasized the hopeful nature of the performance: "The show is powerful and moving, but still upbeat," she said.
"The Vagina Monologues" runs Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in Cohen Auditorium.
Tickets are on sale in Cohen Box Office for $9, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to charity.
Preceding the show, Vulvapalooza will be held in Alumnae Lounge at 6 p.m. Termed a "vagina fair" by Katz, this pre-show will offer drinks and snacks in an enjoyable atmosphere to warm the audience up for the show. Several student groups will be in attendance.
