'The Vagina Monologues' returns to the Athens stage after two-year hiatus

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
Director Tracy Brown gives the cast direction for a special opening musical number during a rehearsal for The Vagina Monologues at the UGA School of Social Work in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The Vagina Monologues will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on Feb. 16, 17 and 18, and proceeds will benefit The Cottage sexual assault center and children's advocacy center.

February 2020 marked the 20th and final season for Project Safe's annual production of "The Vagina Monologues," and the timing could not have been better, as the weeks that followed saw the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two years later, The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center has announced a new production of the enduring stage play.

"The Vagina Monologues" is scheduled to take place on Feb. 16-18 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, located at 780 Timothy Rd. The shows will take place at 8 p.m. each evening, and proceeds will benefit The Cottage to support its work providing free services to survivors of sexual violence and child abuse in the Athens area.

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Wanda O'Callaghan performs during a rehearsal for The Vagina Monologues at the UGA School of Social Work in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The Vagina Monologues will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on Feb. 16, 17 and 18, and proceeds will go ti benefit The Cottage sexual assault center & children's advocacy center.

Written in 1996 by playwright, performer and activist, V (formerly Eve Ensler), "The Vagina Monologues" explores sexuality, reproduction, sexual violence and other topics through the eyes of individuals of varying ages, ethnicities, sexualities and other differences. The play went on to worldwide acclaim, and V started the nonprofit V-Day campaign two years later, which went on to raise more than $100 million for groups working to end violence against women and others subject to gender-based violence.

The cast of The Cottage's production of "The Vagina Monologues" is set to include Cassie Chantel, Angie Cleland, Melia Cogan, Katie Collins, Vivian Dao, Mary Catherine Hawks, Mokah Jasmine-Johnson, Michele Johnson, Ange Kahn, Sally Kimel-Sheppard, Aleta Mendenhall-Turner, Jamie Mendenhall-Turner, Wanda O'Callaghan, Sarah Shermyen, Alex Slater and Stephanie Wolfson. The production will be directed by Tracy Brown and assistant directed by Kat Farlowe.

Cassie Chantel performs during a rehearsal for The Vagina Monologues at the UGA School of Social Work in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The Vagina Monologues will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on Feb. 16, 17 and 18.
Cassie Chantel performs during a rehearsal for The Vagina Monologues at the UGA School of Social Work in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The Vagina Monologues will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on Feb. 16, 17 and 18.

Chantel, a veteran of the Athens hip-hop scene whose live performances in the past year have become increasingly experimental, introspective and affecting, told the Banner-Herald that V's play remains important and deserving of community support.

"'The Vagina Monolouges' comes at a time where the political climate surrounding women’s rights is hypersensitive," Chantel said. "Now is the time for women to come together from all races, age groups, sexual orientations and social circles to stand in solidarity, and this play literally provides a stage for us to do that."

Tickets for "The Vagina Monologues" cost $16 and are available online at northgeorgiacottage.org and at the door of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens on the evening of each performance.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Notable Athenians to take part in 'Vagina Monologues' performance