Theatre Production Aims to End Violence Against Women

SHERMAN, TEXAS—

The Austin College Theatre program will present a stage reading

Ida Green Communication Center

of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues Friday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Ida Green Communication Center’s Ida Green Theatre in conjunction with V-Day events nationwide. Tickets are $5 each for all audience members with proceeds benefitting the Grayson Women’s Crisis Center.

V-Day is a global activist movement to raise awareness of—and end—the violence against women and girls by promoting creative events that raise money and generate attention for women subject to violence worldwide. According to a United Nations report, one of every three women on the planet will be physical or sexually abused in her lifetime.  The organization says that because art has the power to transform thinking, the performances are held around the world to create lasting social and cultural change. Begun in 1998, V-Day now includes more than 5,800 events each year.

The award-winning play is based on V-Day founder and playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women and their survival stories, celebrating women's sexuality and strength. According to the V-Day website, they play has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public and brought a deeper consciousness to the conversation around ending violence against women and girls.

Kathleen Campbell, emerita professor of theatre, will direct the performance. Sophomore Caroline Hodge of Carrollton, Texas, daughter of Donna and Cynthia Hodge, will serve as stage manager.

Members of the cast include Liz Banks assistant professor of theatre, and Renee Countryman, associate professor of psychology, as well as the following students:

Epiphany Arvie of Grand Prairie, Texas, daughter of Joe and Felicia Haynes of Grand Prairie and Murphy Arvie of Baytown, Texas;

Cyndi Coon of Indianapolis, Indiana, daughter of Charlie and Caryn Coon;

Sarah Davis of Sherman, Texas, daughter of Cheryl Davis of Sherman, Texas and Tony Davis of Dodd City, Texas;
Suzanne Francis of Fort Worth, Texas, daughter of David and Sandy Francis of Dr Congo;

Johanna Hunter of Whitewright, Texas, daughter of Pamela Hunter;

Tabatha Keton of Baytown, Texas, daughter of Bert and Tina Keton;

Sarah Klawun of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, daughter of Christoph and Elizabeth Klawun;

Noelle Low of Sunnyvale, Texas, daughter of Jim and Tammy Low;

Kendall Nibert of Houston, Texas, daughter of Philip and Ainslie Nibert;

Audrey Rose of Round Rock, Texas, daughter of Terri Rose;

Rebekah Urban of Whitesboro, Texas, daughter of Brad and Barbara Urban;

Kathryn Van Dinh of Austin, Texas 78739, daughter of Dieu and Alyson Van Dinh;

Sarah Wilhelm of Arlington, Texas, daughter of Susan Chandler of Arlington, Texas and Alan Wilhelm of Cotopaxi, Colorado;

Sarah Wilhelm of Cotopaxi, Colorado, daughter of Alan Wilhelm of Cotopaxi and Susan Chandler of Arlington, Texas; and

Marissa Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon, daughter of Judy L. and Mark A. Wilkinson.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.