Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment, along with several other volunteers, will be presenting “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer,” a show addressing the issue of violence against women, on Tuesday. Stacy Guidry, director of disability services and crisis intervention coordinator at Nicholls, is the co-director of the show.
“I’ve been a part of V-Day since we first brought it to campus in 2005. I was in the ‘Vagina Monologues’ in ’05, directed it in ’07, then this is the first year we’ve had the opportunity to do ‘A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer,'” Guidry said.
The show appeals to both sexes because of its inclusion of male cast members. The organizers hope this will draw a wider audience.
“It’s been a great experience, especially sitting back and watching the women and the men because this is the first chance men have had to give their voice about violence against women,” Guidry said. “It’s really interesting and motivating to hear that they have just as much input as the female cast does.”
Cast members were eager to share their experience with the play and the passion they have concerning the message it brings. They also explained the depth of some of their characters’ roles.
“I’m an aspiring actress who wants major roles, but she’s only being cast as a dead prostitute,” Asha Gibson, sociology freshman from Morgan City, said. “She’s struggling with herself and struggling proving herself to the producers. It’s been really enjoyable participating. I love it.”
“I play a girl who is being gang-raped, but instead of just allowing it to happen, she fights back,” Kisha Bashkiharatee, psychology freshman from Houma, said. “When I saw the part, I knew it would be a lot of emotions that I would have to portray in order for people to get the message, and I hope they do get the message. It’s really important.”
“I’m actually in ‘fur is back’ and the role is a female who is tired of the partying lifestyle and wants to show what the real world is all about. It takes place at a party scene and somebody screams, ‘fur is back!’ and that’s where that comes from,” Alicia Kozak, education freshman from Denham Springs, said. “I love it. It’s a big passion of mine, just anything against violence and domestic and dating violence.”
“I’m doing the introduction. It’s the voice that’s telling the background of what we’re talking about. I saw the flier for the show and thought it might be fun. That’s how I got involved in WISE,” Johneisha Douglas, psychology freshman from Baton Rouge, said. “I hope a lot of people come out to support this cause.”
Jessica Williams, alumnus of general studies from New Orleans and co-director of the show, said the production is important because some people are not aware of the issues associated with domestic violence, nor do they believe they will ever experience it first-hand.
“I think this is a good show to make people aware of real issues. It affects me personally and I would really like it to stop,” Williams said. “This show is about us taking a stand and being against violence, and we’re going to do this every year until the violence stops.”
“A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer” will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Peltier Auditorium. Tickets will be $5 for all Nicholls students with an ID and $7 for the general public. All proceeds collected from the show will go toward the Women’s Resources Services Office on campus and another off-campus charity dealing with violence against women.
