The talking vaginas are returning to Sacramento State.

“The Vagina Monologues,” a play performed on campus every year in celebration of V-Day, will return to campus for three 8 p.m. performances Thursday to Saturday in the University Theatre.

V-Day is an international movement to support anti-violence against women. All proceeds from the performance are donated to charities for women against violence.

The play is based on over 200 interviews of women which were conducted by the writer, Eve Ensler. The show reenacts some of the most moving interviews. The interviews are about women and their sexuality.

Ensler allows select college campuses to perform the play free of charge, as long as all profits are donated to organizations dedicated to stopping violence against women.

Karen Nylund, a graduate student of theater at Sac State, is this year’s director. This is Nylund’s first time directing this play and she said she is hoping to give women a voice through the performance.

Nylund said Ensler provides a set of pieces that must be performed, and the directors are allowed to select an additional few monologues for their play.

Nylund said she chose to add a piece called “Under the Burkha” which is a commentary on wearing a Burkha in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. She said her focus is to give information on the state of women in Afghanistan. Nylund wants viewers to understand that women in Afghanistan are not free, and they are still forced to wear the Burkha.

Generally, there are three to four performers who act in the play; however, Nylund chose to have every monologue performed by a different actor. This year’s presentation will have 18 actors performing each monologue. Nylund said she chose to involve as many women as possible so different voices can be heard. The performers come from different backgrounds and have different majors, which creates a more diverse group.

Nylund also added another change. The monologue titled “I Was There in the Room” was a piece written by Ensler of her experience witnessing the birth of her granddaughter. Nylund decided to have the performer read this piece from the script, instead of acting out the scene. She felt that this would be more meaningful in expressing Ensler’s story.

Kristin Robinson, one of the actors, said she finds performing in this year’s play a valuable experience. Robinson said performing her piece in rehearsal was very liberating. She said since joining the cast, she has found it easier to discuss issues facing women.

“You get penis jokes up the whazoo, but nothing on the vagina,” Robinson said. “Nobody talks about that stuff. It’s taboo!”

Robinson said many are under the misconception that this is a “male bashing” play, when it is not the case at all. This play is a celebration of women and will also be a positive experience for men.

Afton Sanders, another performer said this play tells women’s stories in a creative way. Sander sees this performance as a way to lead by example so others see that it’s okay to talk about these issues.

The cast and crew have been meeting once a week for group rehearsals, in addition to their individual rehearsals with Nylund. This is to ensure their performance will be ready in time for the opening night.

“For me, this is a huge honor. This play directly affects change in the world,” Nylund said. “Vaginas bring life. How could we not worship it?”

Tickets are $7 for Sacramento State students and $15 for general admission.

Linda Le can be reached at [email protected]