Bi-annual performance causes tension between campus groups

Michael Melvin/The Pleiad

As the temperatures dropped two weeks ago, students got hot under the collar over an on-stage drama.

The upcoming performance of Eve Ensler’s "The Vagina Monologues" caused a heated dialogue between POWER (an organization for women and women’s issues) and a few members of the College Republicans who object to the production.

Amanda Boundy, Eben Junction senior and co-president of POWER, sees the "Monologues"—a biannual event for POWER—as a powerful piece for their cause.

"I believe [the "Monologues"] are important because they are about a group of women bravely going on stage to publicly tell stories that normally would never be told," Boundy said. "Not only does it educate people about the lives of women not necessarily like themselves, it empowers the cast, crew and audience."

Some members of the College Republicans disagreed, and voiced their displeasure about the show by posting flyers around campus the night of Feb. 12. The flyers, though inscribed with the College Republicans’ name, had not been approved by the organization.

"The flyers were put up without my knowledge," said Mike Compagnoni, Newton, Conn., junior and College Republicans president. "They don’t even have the official College Republicans logo, because only I have that."

Dave Drwencke, Shelby Twp. senior, was one of the seven students who posted the flyers around campus. He said that the idea of putting up flyers was discussed at a College Republicans meeting, and there was a miscommunication between the organization’s leadership and the students who created the flyers.

According to Compagnoni, the idea was only fleetingly considered and then decided against.

The group against the "Monologues" was a mix of both male and female members of College Republicans, some of whom had seen or read the play, who felt there were better ways to get the message against sexual assault out on campus, according to Drwencke.

"We disagree with the manner of the ‘Vagina Monologues,’ not the purpose," Drwencke said. "First and foremost, [we] feel that the play is very anti-male. Men are only mentioned in a negative way throughout the play as adulterers, abusers, weirdos, and rapists."

Drwencke also said that they feel some of the "Monologues" portray rape in a positive light, citing a monologue where a 16-year-old girl is seduced by a 24-year-old woman.

"In the original version, this monologue ended with the line, ‘If it was rape, it was a good rape,’" Drwencke said.

One of the flyers stated that College Republicans would match the donation made from each ticket to Sexual Assault Services of Calhoun County, if people would give the College Republicans their tickets instead of going to the show.

That offer has since been rescinded, as it wasn’t made on behalf of the organization.

The flyer also used a quote from Rachel McKinney, Bloomington, Ind., senior; cast member of the Monologues; and POWER treasurer. The quote implied that McKinney did not feel the play was well-written.

"The quote was taken out of context," McKinney said.

Drwencke defended the use of the quote, which came from an AIM conversation between Drwencke and McKinney.

"Did we spin it in a way that benefited us?" Drwencke said. "I’ll be the first to say we did. But it was said." However, Drwencke also noted that he couldn’t tell if McKinney was being sarcastic when she made the statement.

Tracey Howard, director of campus programs and organizations, said that there was nothing legally or judicially wrong with the flyer campaign.

"It was more of a moral or ethical issue, whether or not it was right to use [the materials the students responsible] did," Howard said, referring to the information on the flyers.

The students responsible for the flyers have filed a grievance with the college over the fact that th flyers were torn down and defaced. It is unknown exactly who tore down the flyers.

"The flyers didn’t last more than five minutes," Drwencke said.

Some members of POWER felt threatened by the negative reception of the play and, according to Boundy, Campus Safety officers may be at the performances.

"The ‘Monologues’ are about empowerment and [the students responsible] basically told us that is wrong," Boundy said.

Drwencke claims, however, that he has no ill will toward POWER.

"We hope the event goes well, that a lot of money is raised for Sexual Assault Services of Calhoun County, and that they’ll hear us out."

According to Compagnoni, it had been considered within the College Republicans to set up a table in the KC prior to the Monologues with literature on the organization’s stance on this issue. However, they have decided against that due to unease from those involved in the production.

The final presentations of the ‘Monologues’ are tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the KC Stack. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for non-students.

•Written by Eve Ensler in 1996

•First opened in New York City in 1996

•Has been performed in 76 different countries