Even in 4-inch red stilettos, Sonia Sedova, 19, is unwavering and comfortable walking her all-women cast through one of their final dress rehearsals inside Bentley College's Koumantzelis Auditorium.
Hurrying in from the hustle and bustle of college academics, the actresses change into their black attire and listens to last-minute instructions from student, actress and director Sedova.
With tomorrow's night performance of "The Vagina Monologues" looming, the cast and crew of Eve Ensler's production are now well-versed and none to shy with the risque language that comes with script.
"It's always been one of my dreams to be able to direct it," said Sedova, who has incorporated her own visions of the performance, such as monologues delivered by seated actresses for a more conversational feel, into the production.
"Becoming the director is a completely different view of the show. Being an actress, I was very much removed from the show. I feel more connected with the show now because I know the entire show front to back, word for word."
Sedova will take the spotlight during her rendition of "The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could," perhaps one of the most criticized monologues in the play in which a 16-year-old girl fondly recalls being seduced by an older woman after a lifetime of confusing sexual messages and experiences.
Shock value aside, the performance, which coincides with the national movement of V-Day, brings to light the many physical and mental issues that come with the female genitalia. From Bosnian rape camps to personal grooming rituals, the play immediately breaks the ice as it opens with a long list of euphemisms for the vagina.
"The play is instrumental in breaking the silence," said faculty and cast member Sheila Moeschen. As the adviser for the on-campus Women's Center, which is responsible for promoting and producing the annual production of "The Vagina Monologues," Moeschen said the mostly male and conservative Bentley College environment is typically supportive of the somewhat controversial performance.
"It's empowering to see your peers up there. We are fairly far removed from Bosnian women, but we can still tap into that. Just watching it come to life has a real impact," said Moeschen.
After conducting nearly 200 interviews, Ensler first performed "The Vagina Monologues" in 1996. Just a decade ago, the national nonprofit that has since raised over $50 million for anti-violence groups and is now widely known as V-Day, was founded.
Some of the proceeds from Bentley's performance will go directly to V-Day. The majority of the money will be sent to Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER), a New York-based program that aims to improve college sexual assault prevention and response activities.
"I'm not sure SAFER would exist without 'The Vagina Monologues,"' said Executive Director Margaret Mikkelsen. "From our inception, it's been the funding source that has allowed us to grow."
Many colleges across the United States donate a portion, if not all, of their proceeds of "The Vagina Monologue"performances to SAFER, said Mikkelsen.
Despite the criticism some might have against the play, "the intention is to empower women and end violence and I find it really hard to argue with that," said Mikkelsen.
Although Ensler wrote a script with compelling stories based on her interviews, she left room for character development and individual perceptions, said Sedova. Because roles were assigned in December, the 10 actresses performing in the play have largely been responsible for their own success as they studied and memorized the lines during winter break, said Sedova.
"Most of the work is done by the actresses," said Sedova. "They bring character to their woman. They develop who she is."
Senior Leah Jones, 22, said she has performed in previous on-campus productions and decided to round out her college acting career with the monologue "My Angry Vagina," a fierce rant about tampons, douches and gynecology visits.
"I saw it last year and I was just floored by the performance the women in last year's cast gave," said Jones.
As for her act, "I love it. I think it's absolutely hilarious. It's kind of something I identify with."
As the president of the Women's Center, senior Kristin Forte has been involved with the annual production since her days as a freshman.
"It's a huge part of my life here," said Forte. "This play is just very moving for me. Once you're in it ... you can't help but keep being in it."
Portraying a female sex worker who aims to please only women, Forte will take center stage with "The Woman who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy."
"Being able to get on stage and talk to the campus about what it's like to be a woman is very empowering," said Forte.
"The Vagina Monologues" opens tomorrow night at 8 p.m. The production is open to the public and $4 tickets are available at the door beginning at 7:30 p.m.
