Author: Lauren Siverly
As a kick-off to “V-Week,” which culminates with the Vagina Monologues, both male and female performers will take to the mic to express their experiences with the male appendage in the first-ever Penis Chronicles. The show, scheduled for Feb 14 at 6 p.m. in the Green Bean, was created in an effort to bring more male involvement to V-Week. Most years, the Vagina Monologues has a primarily female audience, so the Penis Chronicles is a way to change this according to Vagina Monologues member Maggie Berrigan (sophomore).
“We want to get people hyped up about V-Week,” Berrigan said.
Along with Berrigan, Vagina Monologues member Tyler Brewington (sophomore) also has high hopes for the Valentine’s Day show and its turnout.
“What could be more romantic?!” Brewington said.
The Penis Chronicles will consist of a variety of performances all dealing with different male issues. The all-male a-cappella group Cadence, the men of Phi Psi and The Ugly Sweaters, will perform.
“The performance will be exciting and riveting, maybe even a little bit sensual… actually definitely a little bit sensual,” said the drummer for the Ugly Sweater Seth Hansen (senior). He even gave an exclusive teaser about the performance.
“All I can say is that we will be performing a well-known song by the Electric Six that is very appropriate for the theme of the night,” Hansen said.
The Vagina Monologues, performed at Occidental every year, is a collection of short narratives written by Eve Ensler based upon interviews with women about their experiences with their lady parts. This year, the Vagina Monologues will take place on Friday, Feb 18 at 7 pm in Thorne Hall.
The sensitive subject of the show, according Berrigan and Brewington, has in the past turnedfrom attending.
“People are normally afraid, but it’s not a scary experience. They are all about supporting and empowering women,” Berrigan said.
Each year, the proceeds from the Monologues go towards supporting women’s rights in a different country—this year’s country is Haiti. Throughout V-Week, students will get an opportunity to learn more about Haiti and the women’s issues that exist there.
The Vagina Monologues will also be selling merchandise throughout the week to support Haiti. They are proud to say that all of their merchandise is now union-made and in collaboration with the “rock the tag” campaign on campus.
Additionally, Ensler will be on campus March 14 as a speaker for “Women’s HERstory Month.”
Anyone interested in participating in the open mic should contact Maggie at berrigan@oxy.edu.
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