Performance will benefit SAVES and medical clinic

FARMINGTON – In honor of Women’s History Month, the University of Maine at Farmington’s Women’s and Gender Studies Center program will present a benefit performance of “The Vagina Monologues” Saturday, March 24.

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m., in Nordica Auditorium of Merrill Hall on the university campus.

Eve Ensler created “The Vagina Monologues” in support of women’s rights worldwide. Based on interviews with more than 200 women about their memories and experiences of sexuality, this Obie Award-winning play gives a voice to real women’s stories of intimacy, vulnerability and self-discovery.

The play is suitable for mature audiences only.

“The Vagina Monologues,” produced and directed by UMF students Anna Smith and Stephanie Wright, features UMF students and is a part of the popular, internationally known V-Day movement – a nonprofit grassroots endeavor dedicated to ending violence against women around the world.

UMF’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” will support V-Day’s 2007 theme of “reclaiming peace” and will also seek to raise funds for SAVES (Sexual Assault Victims’ Emergency Services), a Franklin County nonprofit organization whose mission is to help victims of sexual assault as well as their loved ones.

In addition, 25 percent of the proceeds will be given to the Mulukuku Project, led by Dr. Connie Adler of Farmington, which seeks to support a medical clinic in Mulukuku, Nicaragua.

Tickets are $10 for faculty, staff and community members and $5 (suggested donation) for UMF students with I.D. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 778-7387 and at the Calico Patch and Mickey’s Hallmark stores in downtown Farmington. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the performance.