Megan Roberts decided to direct “The Vagina Monologues” while sunbathing with her best friend. Just a few months later, she is producing not just the play but a series of other Stop The Violence events which, like the play, endeavor to raise awareness in order to end violence against women and girls.

Roberts is a 19-year-old junior at USCB, majoring in human services, and an intern in the Student Life Office at the university.

How did you decide to do this production?

I had seen The Vagina Monologues performed three years ago in Ohio. I thought it was a fantastic play, but I never imagined that I would have the chance to direct it. At the beginning of last August, I stumbled upon the book in Kate Torborg’s office and asked her to borrow it. My best friend Kristen will never forget the first time she heard about it because we were lying on the beach sunbathing, and I started reading out loud: “My Vagina’s Angry. It is. It’s pissed off. My vagina’s furious and it needs to talk.” She asked me what I was reading… and I told her I was going to do a production of it. I went into work the next day and told Kate I wanted to do it, and she said, “Yes!” She has been so supportive through this whole process, even when I doubted that it would ever happen. But it did! And here we are, and it’s going to happen in three weeks. I couldn’t be more excited and proud.

What do you like best about this play?

I love the contrast between humor and serious issues that it presents later in the play. It starts off being witty, asking the question, “If your vagina got dressed, what would it wear?” It then moves on to address more serious issues such as female genital mutilation, rape as a tactic of war, homelessness, and the devastating femicide happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the casting process?

We put flyers up in January, searching for actresses. We had a surprising number of women respond, and at that point, I knew it was going to be a successful show. We had two days of auditions in front of our production crew. I thought that there would be a long, controversial discussion about which actress should do which part, but surprisingly everyone just fell into place. It is one of those things where you think it is going to be so hard to decide that when it isn’t, you think, ‘It must be fate.’ I couldn’t be happier or more excited about our cast. It is a fantastic group of strong women, and I love every one of them!

Tell me about the cast.

The age range is 18-62. Most have never been involved in a theatre production, but we do have a few that are very experienced. We have a very diverse group of women with countless different life experiences that we are able to share with each other. It really is a privilege to have such a wonderful group. Our cast includes students, staff of Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, USCB staff, and community members.

What should audiences expect when they see this production?

Audiences can expect to leave in awe. At the end of our first rehearsal, I didn’t know what to say; I was speechless. I cried the entire way home, knowing that it was going to be an unforgettable three nights of performances. The actresses…are such powerful and strong women that I believe they can really make an impact on someone’s life through these performances. During the performance, we will laugh together and cry together. I think they will leave feeling empowered and ready to take a stand for women.

What would you say to anyone who might be concerned that the play is full of man-bashing, or a huge downer, or too embarrassing to see?

We need you! It is very important for men to come see TVM because if we can get more men to support this cause, the more it will make an impact on generations to come. Not to mention, they could learn some helpful hints to please their partners! TVM is not meant to leave us crying for days. It is not a compilation of sob stories. It will leave you feeling empowered. Like you can do anything. It is a compilation of interviews with REAL women! Some were survivors of violence and some were not. They tell their stories of their first orgasm, their childhood, child birth, and how they emerged from their experiences as amazing, powerful women!

IF YOU GO:

You can see “The Vagina Monologues” at the USCB Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 26 at 7 pm. Tickets are available at the door, and are $6 for USCB students/faculty/staff, $8 for senior citizens (age 60+), and $10 for general admission. Doors open at 6 pm.

All proceeds will be given to Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, Citizens Opposed to Domestic Violence, and the V-Day Movement.

For more information about this production and other upcoming Stop The Violence events, contact Megan Roberts at 843.441.7436.

Lady’s Island Elementary Performing Arts students breathe new life into timeless classics.

During this year’s Beaufort County School District sponsored Drama Festival held at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head, a group of 3^rd and 4^th grade drama and musical theatre students of Lynda McLain(drama) and Kristin Brady (music) studied and performed Hans Christian Andersen’s THUMBELINA. Later in January, this troupe of actors also performed for the Gala Opening of the new Arts Center at Beaufort High School along with Seriously Fun-e Clowns, Seaside Singers and the gifted dance troupe called LEAP, taught by Theonette Labyzon, the school dance instructor.

COME FLY WITH US! This is not an airline commercial but an invitation to the community to think happy thoughts and fly to Never Land with the 4^th grade students and 2^nd and 3^rd grade LEAP  dancers, who are preparing the magical classic by J.M. Barrie PETER PAN, slated for Tuesday March 23^rd at 6:30pm at the Beaufort High School auditorium.

Included will be songs from the 1950’s stage version with Mary Martin and a marvelous Captain Hook , who is a BCSD Music teacher and wants to remain anonymous so he can surprise his students who will be attending!

The story has all the adventure of Never Land with Lost Boys, Tinker Bell, Mermaids, Indians and of course, Pirates! Seated is limited so reservations are highly recommended.

$3 for Adults and $2 for all students up to 8^th grade.( ID required for Middle School) Call the Drama room at 322-2293 for ticket information.

Bernard has it all: A great job, a beautiful Paris suite, good friends … three beautiful, international, flight-attendant fiancées. What could go wrong?

Oh, wait, everything.

“Boeing-Boeing,” the non-stop comedy that made an extraordinary Broadway debut in 2008 and ended in January 2009, brings the laughs to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Feb. 2-21.

Kathleen Bateson, president and CEO of the Arts Center, said that it’s a treat to get the rights to produce a hit show such as “Boeing-Boeing” so soon after finishing its Broadway run.

“The show is making its Southeastern premiere here, which is special for us,” Bateson said. “This time last year – if you were lucky enough to get tickets – you could’ve seen this show on Broadway. Now you can save the expense of traveling to New York and see it in your backyard.

“It won two Tonys just in 2008. We’re proud of that.”

Bernard, a likable philanderer, finds himself in a pickle when his three international flight attendant fiancées — an American, a German and an Italian — have their schedules switched and arrive at his Paris pad on the same weekend. Aiding and abetting his antics is Robert, an old school pal who happens by just as the situation goes south, and his long-suffering housekeeper Bertha.

“It’s hilarious,” said Russell Treyz, director of such Arts Center hits as “Proposals,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “South Pacific.” “It’s the perfect male fantasy gone awry.”

Playing the hapless bachelor is Jason O’Connell, who just finished an off-Broadway run of “Penny Penniworth,” a spoof of Dickens’ novels. When he’s not working in theater, the New York actor performs stand-up comedy.

“Bernard prides himself on his organizational skills and how well he can manage his three romances,” O’Connell said. “I get stressed out just thinking about it. It’s so outrageous.”

Playing his reluctant-but-enabling sidekick is Warren Kelly, last seen in the Arts Center’s production of Neil Simon’s “The Proposal.”

“Robert is the kind of guy you would never expect to save the day,” Kelly said. “But his love for his friend is greater than his fear for his life. When his buddy drops the ball, he turns into Action Jackson.”

Relying on split-second timing, the terrified twosome whisk girls in an out of doors in a madcap attempt to keep the charade going.

“It’s great fun watching other human beings get into trouble and try to get out of it,” Hayden said. “Despite Bernard’s best efforts, you know the pie is eventually going to hit him in the face.”

Rounding out the female-centric cast are Prentiss Benjamin as Gretchen, Eleanor Handley as Gabriella, Lauren Pastorek as Gloria and Gabra Zackman as Berta.

“February is the perfect month for a show like this,” Bateson said. “First, it’s hilarious. Who doesn’t want to laugh in February? Also, with Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s the perfect ‘date night’ show. You’ll leave the theater with a smile.”

Tickets are $39-$43 for adults and $27-$31 for kids. Tickets for a “Groundhog Day Sneak Preview” special on Feb. 2 are $24, and preview performances Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 are $39 for adults and $27 for kids.

For tickets, visit www.artshhi.com or call 843-842-ARTS.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is a non-profit performing arts organization. In addition to a 349-seat, main-stage theater that hosts an annual theater and performing arts series, the organization oversees two art galleries and regional arts educational programs, as well as produces four community outreach festivals. The Arts Center received the 2006 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for top arts organization in South Carolina.