Ann Branson

Note:
Updated April 9, 2007
Back by popular demand: 2 dates added!
Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
April 22 at 2 p.m. PAC
April 28 at 8 p.m. Coaster Theatre, Cannon Beach

Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Lenore Morrisson (503) 338-2473
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The Vagina Monologues Visits the North Coast

As part of her senior Pacifica Project, Seaside High School senior Ann Branson is bringing a performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues to Clatsop Community College’s Performing Arts Center March 8.

“ I’m putting on The Vagina Monologues because I believe that it’s important for people to be aware of women’s issues in the community,” Ann said. “Also, [TVM] creates a sense of pride and confidence, which is important for any person to have. If women have the opportunity to talk about taboo issues like vaginas, the issue no longer becomes taboo. Women should be happy and comfortable with who they are.”

The first draft of the monologues was written by Ensler in 1996 (there have been several revisions since) following interviews she conducted with 200 women about their views on sex, relationships, and violence against women. The interviews began as casual conversations with her friends, who then brought up anecdotes they themselves had been told by other friends; this began a continuing chain of referrals. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality.

“I knew I wanted to do something Women’s Studies related, and something to do with theater,” Ann said, explaining why she chose the performance for her Pacific Project. “I just hope people will be more aware of violence, towards women in the world. I hope to create an openness in the community towards women’s issues.”

All seniors who attend Seaside High School must complete a Pacifica Project in order to graduate. A Pacifica Project is a community service project, which must be volunteer work that is done to benefit your community. The hope is that the student will be introduced to volunteer work in a positive way, and will continue to practice this type of work in their future.

The organization V-day started in 1998 because of Ensler’s monologues. V-day works to stop violence towards women and girls. Ten percent of our proceeds will go to V-day’s 2007 campaign of helping women in conflict zones. The rest of the proceeds will go towards the Women’s resource Center in Astoria and the Arts and Ideas program at Clatsop Community College.

The Vagina Monologues plays at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 8 at the Performing Arts Center, 16th and Franklin Streets in Astoria. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit the Clatsop Community College Arts & Ideas website at www.clatsopcc.edu or visit www.vday.org.

ATTACHED IMAGE: Seaside High School senior Ann Branson is bringing a performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues to Clatsop Community College’s Performing Arts Center March 8 for her high school Pacifica Project.