The Vagina Monologues – What’s It All About? – With Melanie

The Vagina Monologues. Have you ever heard that title? And if yes, have you felt that it’s not your thing or just haven’t got the opportunity to see the show yet? It got me curious when I started to see posts on Facebook about this show happening in English in Prague this February.  “Maybe this is my cue to finally crack this case!” 

Knowing very little about The Vagina Monologues, I sat down to write some of my girl-friends. What do they think about this whole business? I found out some interesting things, not only about the show…

The Vagina Dialogues

Teny: Hi ladies, what do you know about The Vagina Monologues? 

Kačka: I remember hearing about it and being a little shocked by the title. I don’t know if I ever found out what it’s about though.

P: I heard the title and it discouraged me a bit at first. I don’t consider myself prude, I think “stomach monologues” would have the same effect.

But I’ve never seen (read) it.

Celine: I’ve heard about it in Barcelona, and I remember having heard about it in Poitiers when I was studying there, about 8 or 7 years ago. I haven’t been to see it yet.

Heidi: My mom helped direct it when her little local theater group did it.

But I didn’t see it. I had some sports tournament or something. But read some of the script and found it entertaining. 

I would go see it. 

A: I was in a production of it when I was in college (back in.. 2008 or 2009?). 

One of the things I remember was one of the monologues is about a woman who uses a mirror to look at her own vagina for the first time. I remember realizing that I’d never looked at mine before, and wondering if that was weird that I hadn’t.

Teny: Hahaha. I remember being on a school trip when I was like 13 years old and chatting with my girl-friends about women stuff and we realized that one of us never looked at hers with a mirror. So she was immediately equipped with a mirror and sent to a bathroom to do it. 

So it is a book made into a show?

A: It’s a book of monologues – each one is a single woman talking about her relationship with her vagina. The women are supposed to be all very different – different ages, different experiences and perspectives. Some are super happy and playful and some speak about trauma.

I guess the point was originally to give women a chance to speak openly with each other about their vaginas and to look at them as something that’s “theirs”, not a weird thing kept in a box in a closet you’re not supposed to look at/touch/talk about.

Kasia: I also heard about the show, but the title did not speak to me. I don’t remember being fascinated with the vagina itself until it became useful – when I discovered masturbation 😀 I don’t know the book/ the play, but I agree it is good to talk about the vagina. There is so much talking about dicks in pop culture, while vagina was always absent. I know girls that are concerned if they look normal there, only because they compare themselves with porn actresses. I always tell them to go to the website, where women from all over the world post photos of their vaginas, to realise, how different they can be 🙂

A:..there’s a “vaginas of the world” website?

Teny: 😳 Bahahahah. I wanna see that website too!

My vagina’s curious 😛

Kasia: Yes, I am at work now and cannot look for it. I’m sure you’ll find it by yourselves 🙂

Teny: You don’t feel like discussing vaginas with your colleagues or boss?

Kasia: Some of them would enjoy it too much 😀

Teny: … Anyway 😀… I guess it never occured to me to compare my vagina to someone else’s. At least one thing, I guess..

S: That is nice for you. I compare everything about myself to other people 😛 The results are not in my favour

@Kasia, send the link when you’re in a safe place 😀

Teny: So with all the comparing and wondering if everything down there looks alright, does that mean that there is a concept of how a “proper” vagina should look like? 😮

A: I think it’s a lot like a nose. There are certain functions your nose should be able to do, but aside from that it’s all personal/cultural.

P: Yeah i agree that’s probably more like “nicely shaped breast” thing. 

S: I think like Kasia was mentioning, prob a lot of it comes from porn. Like that’s probably not the best resource for comparison, but if that’s all you’re exposed to ..

Káťa: The Internet (even Facebook) is full of funny jokes and memes making fun of vaginas.. So this also can make women feel bad and insecure, not just porn, and some women even might think about plastic surgery.. Wich is stupid but I have to admit that I also had this moment…

S: Yeah, good point. 

Kasia: Yes, I have a colleague that seriously thought about plastic surgery too, cause she “gets wrinkles”. 

Or some girls don’t want it to be “too big” or “too dark”. 

Not to mention shaving that was totally unpopular till when? 80’ies?

P: I think I am going to leave. I never think about mine like this “like it should be nicer” or something…

Kasia: and this is very healthy 🙂 I also don’t think like this. Although sometimes I feel awkward because of not shaving.

P: Yeah those are the expectations of people around “what would they say if …” I guess. We should get rid of those ❌

S: I rather like this clip from a comedian talking about her vagina .. dunno if you guys might find it crass, but i found it really funny and like, refreshingly honest

Teny: 😂 bahahahaha that killed me. Love it!

… 

After this conversation, three things were clear. 
1. Most of us never got the chance to see the show.
2. We did enjoy talking about vaginas. 
3. We needed more information. 
And that’s where Melanie, a member of the Prague production, steps in to tell us something about her experience with The Vagina Monologues.

The Vagina Monologues Through Melanie’s Eyes

“I’m a person who loves music, performance, feminism, and connecting with people, and I especially love when these things can be combined!” Melanie introduces herself. “I was in the Vagina Monologues once before, when I was 20, so when my friend Katya, our director and head of production, reached out saying she wanted to put the show on in Prague this year, and she asked if I wanted to be one of the organizers, I really liked the idea of doing it again with a more involved role, so I said yes.”

“Oh my god, so many things,” Melanie answers when I ask what the show means to her. “I think this play is both the past, present, and future. It was written in 1996 in the USA, so it means cultural difference, personal growth, the progression of a movement and a revolution. When we perform it, it shows us where feminism was then, especially in terms of diversity and inclusion, where it is now, and what it still needs for the future. One of the reasons we chose to do it here in Czech Republic is that ‘vagina’ is still a dirty word to some people, and feminism is often laughed at – or you get the classic ‘I’m not a feminist, but…’ We wanted to counteract that.”

What was the biggest challenge? 

“From an organizer’s perspective, I took on a part-time role of social media management, which was a completely new experience for me. It was sometimes difficult to keep up with, but I learned a lot… with a ton of help from my amazing production team.” She adds, “From a performer’s perspective, I have really challenged myself to access a deeper point of emotion for my pieces, and to embody an ‘entertainer’s persona, when I’m typically more reserved. That has been very fun, but also requires a lot of energy and time. Totally worth it, though.”

What’s the best part?

“The people I’m working with, hands-down. Our production team is inspiring, in every sense of the word. We are a group of powerful, ambitious, hard-working, and talented people, and I have felt honored to be doing this with them since day one.”

“We’re at Kasarna Karlin, February 21st and February 28th at 7:30 PM; be sure to get there early! Both nights are fully booked online, but there will be a couple of spare seats, and those who don’t show up for their reservations will forfeit their seats at the last minute. The majority of proceeds from the show will go to benefit the non-profit organization Konsent here in Prague.” 

“And big thank you to everyone who has supported us and is coming to our show. We feel so lucky to be part of this community and to bring this important production to Prague for 2020. We can’t wait to be with you at Kasarna Karlin.”

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m in!

For more info about the show visit this Facebook Page.

And for more insight into life in Prague go to this section.