The Vagina Monologues, a fierce, honest dialogue written by activist Eve Ensler, raises money to fight abuse against women and raises awareness of cruelties around the world.

This production is returning to campus to raise funds for the Sac State Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services Program.

The performance will also benefit the Social Health Assessment Research and Education Institute – a program that works to improve the health and well-being of women and families.

The show talks about women’s issues and covers everything from sex to menstruation to lesbianism.

The production of Vagina Monologues at Sac State is directed by Diana Tercero. Tercero was an actress in the play for the past four years but recently graduated.

Jessica Heskin, an advocate and educator for the Women’s Resource Center, asked Tercero to direct Vagina Monologues after she graduated.

Tercero said she knew the production would be a lot of work, but wanted to help.

Tercero was first introduced to the Vagina Monologues her freshman year.

When she got there and read the script, she realized how empowering the production would be and was immediately drawn in.

“It’s about informing the community about certain issues and empowering the community,” Tercero said. “I was more open about things (after my first performance) and could talk about the issues.”

Alyssa Sionzon, freshman liberal arts major and member of the chorus, said the production is not just a show for women – men can learn from the show and enjoy it as well.

“Enjoy having a vagina if you’re a woman; if you’re a man, enjoy that your woman has a vagina,” Sionzon said.

The show consists of 15 to 20 monologues which have all been done in previous years.

Nevertheless, Tercero encourages people to come see the show, even if they have seen it before.

“Even though it’s the same pieces, there’s something different about it because it’s a different woman doing the piece,” she said.

Liz Rowell, a graduate psychology student, will be participating in the Vagina Monologues for the fifth time this semester.

“If you are a woman, have been around a woman or loved a woman, this is the show for you,” Rowell said.

Tercero said each year differs slightly because each director’s style and choice of setting is different. No matter the setting, the show always gets a positive response from the people who go to see it, Tercero said.

Tercero said there will be a few new surprises this year.

She said they have a new monologue that the author just released based on the situation in the Congo.

“The piece is kind of a heavy piece,” Tercero said. “A teenager’s guide to surviving sex slavery.”

Another difference in this year’s performance is that the chorus will be included in some monologues.

Tercero said adding the chorus will give it a different and more powerful feel.

Throughout the Vagina Monologues there are some really emotional stories, Sionzon said, that may be hard to listen to but they are things that are actually going on in the world.

She said these things may not be happening in the United States, but they are happening elsewhere and people need to hear about them.

Sionzon said the experience is eye opening and she recommends it to everyone.

“It brings attention to things that are going on in the world, like the bombings in Baghdad and the genital mutilation that goes on in other parts of the world,” Sionzon said.

In performing, she said she is reminded that the things she is doing and presenting to her community have a positive impact on others.

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