February 11-13, 2005, Wells Theatre
The Vagina Monologues
As part of the V‑Day 2005 College Campaign, Monmouth College will present a
benefit production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina
Monologues,” on Feb. 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. in the
Wells Theater.
Sponsored by the Department of Women’s Studies, the Coalition for
Women’s Awareness and Crimson Masque, the production will benefit
the Community Action Agency Victim Services Sexual Assault Program
of the Western Illinois Regional Council
in Macomb and The V-Day 2005 Spotlight: Women in Iraq.
Hailed by The New York Times as “funny” and “poignant” and by the
New York Daily News as “intelligent” and “courageous,” “The Vagina
Monologues,” which was first performed off-Broadway by Ensler,
explores the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and
excitement buried in women’s experiences. A similar production of
“The Vagina Monologues” was staged at the college in 2003.
The 2005 production, directed by senior theater major Emily
Mitsdarffer of Blue Island, will feature a cast of 27 “Vagina
Warriors,” most of whom are students.
Ensler coined the phrase “Vagina Warriors” in 2004 to describe the
devoted army of women and men she has encountered who are working
for the common cause of ending violence against women and girls
worldwide. According to sponsors of the production at Monmouth
College, the school will honor a number of local “Vagina Warriors”
and highlight the work they are doing in the community.
Last year as many as 1,100 communities worldwide hosted V-Day
benefits, raising funds and awareness toward ending violence against
women. These events collected more than $4 million through
performances of “The Vagina Monologues.”
By increasing awareness, raising money and revitalizing the spirit
of existing anti-violence organizations, V-Day generates broader
attention to the fight to stop worldwide violence against women and
girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM)
and sexual slavery.
Monday, February 21, 2005--Barnes Electronic Classroom, Hewes Library 7-9pm
Women & Film
The Women's Studies Program and the Monmouth chapter of the American Association of University Women are proud to present two short films by filmmaker, Nancy Montuori Stein. Nancy Montuori Stein began her career in the music industry working with such artists as REM, Joni Mitchell, Prince, Madonna and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. It wasn't until much later that she decided to pursue her current career and life-long dream profession of directing independent film projects. In 2001, after many years in music, Nancy decided to quit her long and comfortable career in that field in order to pursue her dream of making movies. Under her production company banner American Girl Productions, Nancy has received several independent film awards, the "Women in Film" screenwriting award and was a finalist in HBO's Project Greenlight.
JOEY
"Joey" is an intimate and vivid portrayal of the lives of children growing up
amid gangs and violence in South Los Angeles. Children who live in neighborhoods
which do not allow them to enjoy the simple liberties of life which we all take
for granted like going to church and coming home safely. On Sunday morning,
March 23, 2003, right before Joey left for church, he told his mother "I should
be safe at church". "Joey" revolves around the shooting of Joseph Swift and his
family and friends who are in a constant struggle with gangs. "Joey" puts a
human face on a growing problem.
STEALING INNOCENCE
"Stealing Innocence" is a poignant examination of the human cost to the Israeli
and Palestinian conflict. Using U.S. television news clips and the personal
story of two girls, Rachel and Ayat, filmmaker Nancy Stein captures life in the
Occupied Territories where the life of Palestinians is severely restricted. This
gripping portrayal of the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East covers the
period roughly from the Palestinian uprising -- known as the Intifadah -- in
1992 until March 2000. As children Rachel and Ayat have a unique bond
transcending the ethnic divide sustaining the conflict as one is Jewish and one
Arab. They have a love for each other that is shared by their respective
families and for a while it seems the friendship would endure. Unfortunately
events spin out of their control, testing their friendship to destruction. This
is a tragedy that leaves its victims without dignity or hope. The aptly named
Stealing Innocence is extremely timely as the present war in the Middle East
rages on. To understand the feelings of those who feel oppressed, stripped of
human rights, unable to carry out ordinary functions like going to work or
school and traumatized by unmitigated death and destruction this film will hit
home with those who think suicide bombers are just fanatical terrorists.
For more information go to: http://www.americangirlproductions.com
Tuesday, March 1, 2005--Highlander Room, 4pm
Women's History Month Lecture: "Bound by a Mighty Vow"
In "Bound by a Mighty Bow: The Early History of Women's Fraternities and Sororities," historian Diana Turk visits the birthplace of the women's fraternity movement to speak on how these groups served as support networks to help the first female collegians succeed in the often-hostile world or 19th-century higher education. An assistant professor at the Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, Turk has written extensively on women in education, including a history of women's fraternities, published last year. Diana Turk's visit is partially funded by a donation from Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi Fraternities alumnae groups. Free Admission. For more information on Turk's book, visit: http://www.nyupress.org/product_info.php?products_id=3526
Thursday, March 17- Sunday, March 20, 2005--Wells Theatre
Crimson Masque Presents: The Trojan Women
In Euripides' classic tragedy, Hecuba, queen of fallen Troy, leads an ensemble of women in this passionate, proto-feminist condemnation of war and its atrocities. The widowed Andromache; the deranged Cassandra; even the beauteous Helen, catalyst of the destruction, are all victims, in different ways, of terrible aggression between the Greeks and The Trojans. March 17-19--7:30p.m., March 20--2pm. Adults $6.00; Students and senior citizens $5.00; Monmouth College ID, $4.00. Call 309-457-2374 for reservations.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005--Morgan Room, Poling Hall, 4pm
Foreign Languages Week, Keynote Address: "A Hidden Life in French"
Award-winning poet, writer and translator Rosanna Warren teaches English and modern foreign languages at Boston University. Her published poetry includes Departure (2003), Stained Glass (1993), Each Leaf Shines Separate (1984), and Snow Day (1981), and she was a translator of Euripides' Suppliant Women (1995). Free Admission.
Saturday, April 2, 2005--Wells Theatre, 7:30 pm
"Glory Box"
Internationally acclaimed performance artist Tim Miller's latest work, Glory Box, is a funny, sexy and politically charged exploration of queer marriage and the struggle for immigration rights for lesbian and gay bi-national couples. Adult language. Free Admission.
Monday, April 25, 2005--Dahl Chapel and Auditorium, 7pm
Thompson Memorial Lecture: Philosopher Sandra Harding
Named in honor of legendary Monmouth College philosophy professor, Samuel M. Thompson (1902-1983), the Thompson Lecture annually brings on of the United State's leading philosophers to campus. Sandra Harding, a professor and director of the UCLA Center for the Study of Women, is a pioneer in the fields of feminist theory and the philosophy of science, and the author or editor of a dozen books including, The Science Question in Feminism (1986), Whose science? Whose Knowledge?: Thinking from Women's Lives (1991), Is Science Multicultural? (1998), and The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader (2003).