Associated students and the Victory club on campus hosted auditions for the Vagina Monologue. This student led production and audition was advised by Diana Madueno and had students like Estefany Garces Olivares. “The Vagina Monologue is a collection of stories, the author interviewed ladies and they all shared different stories that can range from curiosity, sexuality, identity, empowerment, sexual assault, domestic violence” Madueno says. “There’s one where’s it’s like giving birth,” Madueno says.
There have been about 5 different productions for Vagina Monologues on campus. “It started as a student initiative; it’s always started through associated students,” Madueno says. The event is also hosted by not only associated students but the victory club as well. “Victory club is a student life club here on campus that is focusing on bringing issues and education to light on topics related to sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and domestic violence” Madueno says.
The monologues were created to help students build a community within each other and find relations in the monologues that were said from women. “This is my first participation, right now I feel personal with my monologue, I feel like I identify with the monologue” Olivares says. “I think that’s the best thing to learn, to educate, and to really embrace that powerful woman in your life, or even extend the hand to support right?” Madueno says.
Rio Hondo is well known for the community that is created on campus, with all the student-led clubs; students always find a way to build a solid foundation for everyone around them. “Sometimes we don’t realize how much certain folks go through and make sure that you’re there and that you give that support and you’re also listening and you’re also hearing the stories” Madueno says.
The performance will take place on April 22 starting from 4p.m. to 7p.m. in the lower quad. Students will decorate a tent in the lower quad. The event will be free to anyone that is curious about what the Vagina Monologues have to offer. With the theater still ongoing construction, the performance will be held in the lower quad.
