Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues will be performed April 7-9 at 7 p.m. at Nicholls to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.

Tonight’s performance will be held in the Cotillion Ballroom. Tomorrow and Saturday the performances will be in Talbot Theater. Tickets are $10 at the door, which will open at 6:30 p.m.

This year the Vagina Monologues is comprised of 17 monologues performed by Nicholls students under the direction of student director Alicia Kozak and Stacey Guidry, director of disability services.

Sabrina Laurent, coordinator of Women’s Resources and Services, said that the Vagina Monologues are part of a global V-Day movement to raise funds to end violence against women.

“We chose to do the Vagina Monologues every other year,” Laurent said.

Of the total profit, 10 percent will be given to the V-Day movement. Afterwards, 50 percent will go to Chez Hope, a local non-profit group that assists abused and battered families, and the other 50 percent will go to Women’s Resources and Services.

Jennifer Morella, child, family and social services senior from Berwick, said that all of the monologues are pretty funny, including her own.

“I used to be a little nervous, but now I’m fine,” Morella said.

Laurent said that once the girls begin to understand their monologues, they become empowered.

“Yes, we’re raising funds, but it’s not all about that,” Laurent said. “It’s about becoming an empowered woman and having a strong voice.”

Katherine Lyons, freshman from Houma, said that she is really excited to perform in the Vagina Monologues.

“At first I was nervous about the subject matter and trying to find the confidence to perform it in front of an audience, but when you have the support from your fellow Vagina Warriors, pretty much anything is possible,” Lyons said. “It’s special to me because I feel like I’m giving a voice to women who can’t have one, and the awareness it brings to violence against women is incredible.”

Meaghan Ballantyne, marketing junior from Slidell, said that she felt confident throughout the entire rehearsal process.

“These monologues are about real people, real events, real struggles, and I’m honored that I get to carry on the voice of these women,” Ballantyne said. “These monologues are so eye-opening and raw that you can’t help but want to do everything you can to stop the violence against women.”

“These ladies are truly fantastic, both as actresses and women,” Ballantyne said.