The University of Idaho Argonaut

Performers rehearse for Eve Enslers “The Vagina Monologue’s” in the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre Feb. 4, 2009. File Photo by Jake Barber/Argonaut

In case it wasn’t obvious from the title, “The Vagina Monologues” is anything but shy.

The show’s monologues range from humor, such as “My Angry Vagina,” about feminine products and OB/GYN visits, to serious modern-day issues, such as “Under the Burqa,” which talks about sexual mistreatment of women in Afghanistan. Twenty-five women tell the stories of women across the world who have been victims of sexual assault and rape, and the lives of everyday women and their relationships to their bodies.

Heather Gasser, director of the University of Idaho Women’s Center, said tickets to the shows are selling out fast, especially Sunday’s matinee showing. The shows will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 6, and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets are $8 through advance purchase at the Women’s Center, Eclectica and Bookpeople of Moscow. Tickets purchased at the door are $10.

Gasser said the show has been held in Moscow for eight years, and it is entirely student run and directed. Gasser said although the show has been surrounded by some past controversy for its content, they don’t hear many objections now.

“It’s a much more comfortable subject now,” Gasser said. “The play opens up the opportunity for people to tell stories.”

Gasser said auditions were held in November and about half the cast is made up of theatre majors, while the rest have either had experience with the show in the past or just wanted to do it for fun.

Tiffany Thompson is a full-time staff member at the Pullman office of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse. She said she joined ATVP because her sister was sexually assaulted as a child, and said she thinks “The Vagina Monologues” is important because it illustrates the effects of gender-based violence.

“I think that gender-based violence doesn’t just affect victims, it affects our entire society,” Thompson said. “It affects people’s families, their siblings, their friends and many others.”

Gasser said 10 percent of the proceeds from the show will go toward the International V-Day Foundation — which is run by Eve Ensler — and the rest will be given to ATVP and other campus violence prevention groups.

Kathy Simpson, the show’s director and a master’s of fine arts candidate for directing, said she wanted the actors to pull back from their theatrical perspectives.

“The organization is very specific as to how they want the show played,” Simpson said. “It’s not acting, but storytelling. You have to think, understand and clearly tell the story.”

Kim Bell, a senior theatre student, said it has been interesting to learn about different women’s experiences and getting to know the other girls in the show. She said she has also enjoyed working with Simpson.

“Kathy helped a lot because she really puts pictures in your head,” Bell said.