On Feb. 20, the Pierrete Players and Students For Reproductive Freedom (SFRF) put on the long-awaited comeback show of “The Vagina Monologues,” an episodic play written by feminist activist V, formerly Eve Ensler, in 1994. Since its first production, this captivating play has gained both significant national and international attention. Hundreds of women were interviewed, which resulted in various interchangeable monologues that make each show unique and special.
At the end of the last academic year, SFRF approached the Pierrettes to gain their theater knowledge for the production. The Pierrettes and the SFRF spent many hours this semester working to bring this masterpiece to life again from scratch, as the last time the show was put on at Salem was in 2019.
Talking to Alex Angelini, the Pierrettes’ Historian and Secretary, allowed me to gain more insight into the production process. A large part of production planning involves figuring out the logistics of practice times, when the play will occur, and the best way to fully bring everyone together. After interest forms were sent out to the school, what follows are many weeks of running lines and practicing the technical work that comes with running a theater show. Preparing for events such as “The Vagina Monologues” can be some of the most enjoyable work for club leaders. “My favorite part of preparing for events would have to be seeing everything come together, when everything starts to click. It’s just the best feeling in the world and makes me feel so proud of everyone involved,” said Angelini.
Getting ready to put on productions can undoubtedly be a thrilling yet exhausting experience. The countless hours figuring out how to pull many people together can be difficult, yet the Pierrettes seem to continually and seamlessly pull it off. The continuation of “The Vagina Monologues” is something I think everyone here at Salem is looking forward to.
