Masculine monologues: 'Vagina' show adds male version

By: Michelle Buchwalter

Posted: 1/17/08

They wear simple black shirts with bright, pink letters that stand out in the midst of white snow falling on the quad. The phrase "We've reclaimed it…" is in bold, capital letters sending a loud message to the people who read it.

Of course, the message only resonates if onlookers actually know what the phrase means. Currently, the women wearing the shirts hope to raise awareness of their bright, pink message, but don't be surprised to see more men wearing donning the shirts this year.

This year, Syracuse University students will add a new production that will coincide with the annual performance of "The Vagina Monologues," which sponsors the shirts. The new play, titled, "A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer," will include an all-male cast and was edited by Eve Ensler, the author of the female counterpart - a play that celebrates female sexuality, sexual self-discovery and the independence of women.

The production was organized by The Students Advocating Sexual Safety and Empowerment and A Men's Issue, two student organizations that focus on sexual issues and gender equality.

The show will include male monologues about topics beyond their sexual experiences, venturing into how witnessing violence toward women has affected them, said Brianna Collins, the co-director and co-producer of both the men's and women's productions.

Nationally, there are productions of "The Vagina Monologues" at 700 college campuses. Currently, the play includes only women.

"Due to the popularity and the importance of 'The Vagina Monologues,' we at SASSE

thought it would be both an interesting role reversal and a new influential venue for different voices to be heard if we made 'A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer' an all-male cast," Collins said. "We want to give men a voice."

Many students involved said the new play will be a great step forward in helping solve the problem of violence against women. Sarah Ross, the Office of Student Life consultant that advises SASSE, said she is a strong supporter of the male involvement.

"You can't help other people understand if you don't make them part of the solution. We

wanted to include more people, to make this more of a global issue instead of singling

out one set of people," Ross said. "Men need to learn. They need to be given the opportunity to learn."

"I understand the basis of 'The Vagina Monologues' being a women only production, but it doesn't only affect women, it affects males. I think men want to show that they can make the world a better place, and this is their opportunity to do that," she said.

Jason Samlin, a sophomore psychology and creative writing major, will be participating in "A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer's" all-male cast.

"I think that males talking about the same material will be a very powerful message," Samlin said. "It's almost like we're saying, 'these aren't just female issues, they're issues for everyone.'"

While some students are excited about the play, critics may be skeptical with men having their own show that mimics "The Vagina Monologues," which is supposed to be about the sexual independence of women.

Other people are indecisive about the play.

Elena Brubaker, a sophomore in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said she hasn't heard much about the show and fears that men won't go to see the play.

"Are guys that need to learn this lesson going to go see the show?" Brubaker said.

Samlin, the male show participant, added that he feels only a select group of men will get involved with the play. "I think that this play only appeals to those men that have owned up to the responsibility that comes with being a responsible man."

"Specifically, I mean talking about subjects that are very much a part of life but that we, as a gender, have sort of swept under the rug," Samlin said. "I'd say that we have a story to tell, too. Just because we're not the victims doesn't mean we're blind."

It was mandatory for many Greek chapters (including fraternities) to attend the female monologues last February. Elizabeth O'Neal, a sophomore industrial design major and member of Alpha Chi Omega social sorority, said she would like to see all fraternity and sorority houses make it mandatory to attend both the male and female monologues.

"Greek boys should go because as much as they say they respect women and that they are making all of these grand movements toward respect for us, there are still problems with binge drinking, date rape and slipping drugs into girls' drinks," O'Neal said.

"The more people have to listen to these stories, the more they will get them through

their heads," said O'Neal.

The production of "The Vagina Monologues" will be held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9 in Hendricks Chapel. The Greek production of "The Vagina Monologues" will be held on Feb. 29 at the same location.

For the men, their production of "A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer," will be held in February as well. Specific dates for the production are pending.

For Ross, the SASSE consultant in the Office of Student Life, this is the time to expand the message of sexual violence and the sharing of sexual experiences to men.

"I understand that women feel they need to own it, and I think we've done that. We have

reclaimed it. Now that we have done that, and we pushed ourselves to do it, let's push

the envelope again," she said. "Push yourself even more and educate other people more."