This past weekend, students and community members alike gathered to express wonders and frustrations concerning the female anatomy.
Bradley’s annual production of Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” took place Feb. 27 and 28, with the ticket proceeds going to the Center for Prevention and Abuse.
This year’s performance was the first year that featured a boy in a transgender woman role: an opportunity that was granted to freshman theatre performance and communications major Derek Baunach.
Baunach said he knew he wanted to be a part of the Vagina Monologues when he visited Bradley’s campus in 2013 to watch his friend perform in the production.
“It was just really empowering to see something like that, and it really took me out of my comfort zone,” Baunach said. “From that moment, I just knew that I really wanted to get involved in something like this.”
Baunach said he was concerned after the auditions about whether or not the directors were willing to take the risk with him yet. When he received the e-mail, he said he was thrilled that, as a performer, he could help an amazing cause.
“It means the world to me to be able to represent the transgender community even though I myself am gender fluid,” Baunach said. “I feel it is important, especially around this area, where they may not get their voices heard as much, to get the word out about what they experience with transitioning.”
This year also marked the 10-year anniversary of Bradley’s support of V-day. Per usual, the cast donned black and red dresses and took the stage to entertain and inform by striking a balance between serious content and humorous stories.
The monologues featured women covering a variety of demographics. Some of the stories included a woman who found her vagina at 72, a vagina workshop attendee and a rape victim.
