Most plays likely do not deal with intimacy, helplessness and a woman who loves to make vaginas happy, but this one does. Eve Ensler’s play “The Vagina Monologues” has played nationally and is put on by Sacramento State every year.

“I wanted to be part of the production because ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is a dynamic piece of theater that accomplishes what very few Broadway shows can do,” said props designer John Ramos.

Ramos’ main job is to operate and design the 6-foot-6-inch vagina puppet for the play. Although he does not actually play the role of the vagina, Ramos gives it its mobility, which happens to be an important role of the play.

“Even though the show is intended to be a voice for the female reproductive system, a lot of the content speaks for men who factor into this equation in many different scenarios,” Ramos said.

Ramos said because of the unknown and unawareness in society, people are at a disadvantage for themselves and possibly causing others disadvantages in their social privileges, explaining this society is corrupted with the lack of knowledge of gender inequalities.

“The show pushes our boundaries, deepens our understanding of the human condition and connects us closer with ourselves and our biology, in particular, the vagina,” Ramos said.

Actress Jasmine Wyrick, who has performed in the play since high school, will be participating for her fourth year and is ready to be another voice for women who do not have one.

“I think Sac State’s production is different because of the audience,” Wyrick said. “I think that being a college campus allows for people to exercise their curiosity and not to be afraid to open their minds to a great cause.”

Wyrick will be playing “The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could,” which is the role of a woman who suffered from child abuse and meets a woman who changes her life.

“I believe her story is about accepting herself and not letting her past define her,” Wyrick said.

Coming back for her second year in the production, graduate student actress Keyko Torres said she is excited to portray her new role and help fight violence against women.

“What I love about my role is that she is a dominatrix who teaches us to never hide our true selves and to not pipe down to own our sexuality and to not be afraid to be loud,” Torres said.

Other character’s monologues tell stories about loving and appreciating themselves as women and how to love their own vagina, Torres said, while her character teaches everyone how to appreciate others as well.

Torres said she made it a goal to purposefully look for the production this year because she knew she wanted to be a part of it once more. She said she happened to be walking by the auditions for the play last year and landed a small part.

Torres said the most interesting part for her is the wide range of characters and voices who speak out for women in general, combined with a little bit of comedy and heartbreak. “‘Vaginas need to have each other’s back,” Torres said. “We must stick together to fight against all those who try and hold us down.”

Proceeds will benefit The Share Institute and My Sister’s House. The play is co-sponsored by Active Minds and Sac State Student Health and Counseling Services.

The Vagina Monolgues is being performed tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the University Union Ballroom.

Candice DeVries can be reached at [email protected]