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Tahoe SAFE Alliance announces benefit production of andamp;#8216;The Vagina Monologuesandamp;#8217;

Special to the Sun

TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. andamp;#8212; Tahoe SAFE Alliance, formerly Tahoe Womenandamp;#8217;s Services, announces a benefit production of its seventh showing of Eve Enslerandamp;#8217;s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues, on behalf of the V-Day 2012 Campaign. This two-night performance will be held March 9 and 10 at the Community Arts Center in downtown Truckee with doors at 7 p.m. The Vagina Monologues includes an ensemble cast of community members reading character-driven pieces, like poetry, each revealing different womenandamp;#8217;s experiences with topics such as sex, love, tenderness, embarrassment, cruelty, pain and pleasure. Tickets are $25 general admission and $20 students and can be purchased at http://www.tahoesafealliance.org/v-day.Wine and baked goods donated by local businesses will be available for purchase. All money raised at the event will support programs that reduce the incidence and trauma of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.What began as an off-Broadway one-woman show in 1996, The Vagina Monologues has grown to be a world-wide phenomenon with thousands of performances being conducted around the world. The Vagina Monologues and the V-Day 2012 Campaign has one goal: to end violence against women. It creates dialogue and shatters taboo around violence against women and girls. Tahoe SAFE Alliance believes it has the ability to change lives and is an important vehicle to empower and emphasize self-confidence to women and young girls in the community. Tahoe SAFE Alliance encourages women to come with their mothers, daughters, girlfriends, and yes, even the men in their lives.In a recent public interview, Eve Ensler commented about the continued success of her play more than 15 years after it first opened in New York, andamp;#8220;Womenandamp;#8217;s empowerment is deeply connected to their sexuality. The story of your vagina is the story of your life and women want to talk about their lives.andamp;#8221;Men are also encouraged to attend. According to Ensler, andamp;#8220;Men have daughters; they feel they can actively be involved because they feel they can do something to change the destiny of their daughterandamp;#8217;s lives. Unless men are active allies, weandamp;#8217;ll never end violence against women and girls.andamp;#8221;Local businesses show supportDragonfly in downtown Truckee is showing its support of the V-Day celebration by offering 25 percent off to performance attendees on both Friday and Saturday night. Guests must show their ticket confirmation to get the discount. The Dragonfly menu is an eclectic blend of Thai, Japanese, Indian and Malaysia influences, all of which combine to create a delicious dining experience. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Reservations strongly recommended by calling 530-587-0557.The Vagina Monologues is sponsored by Darlene Pearson-Bray; Karen Sage; Bella Lago Aesthetics; Rouda, Feder, Tietjen andamp; Zanobini; Jeannine Gallant and The Bankerandamp;#8217;s Network; Tahoe Forest Hospital District; Dr. Barry Triestman at American Center for Longevity, Nutrition, Chiropractic and Sports Injuries; Mama Diva Productions; LilliAtilt Designs; Dr. Karen Kucharski; Tahoe City Dental Group; Heidi Doyle in honor of Dina Marshal; Renewal Dermatology and Laser and Ring Around the Rosie.The Vagina Monologues Crew and CastDarlene Pearson Bray, director: Darlene has many passions, one of them includes being very supportive of Tahoe SAFE Alliance. Whether it be serving on the Board and events committees, or creating and directing performances to raise awareness to the community about the services that Tahoe SAFE Alliance has to offer.Cynthia Villalobos, producer and stage manager: Cynthia is excited to work with such a great group of women, this has been a wonderful experience for her. When she is not volunteering with AmeriCorps she can be found rock climbing, running, reading and creating art.Maggie Wattle, announcer: Maggie is pursuing her dream job as an Employment Counselor in South Lake Tahoe.Emily Griffith, ensemble: Emily says being a participant is very rewarding because it means being part of a global movement to empower women, and that together we are spreading a message of peace, identity and sexual voice.Alice Lassiter, ensemble: Alice auditioned by total impulse, and is absolutely loving being a part of the cast.Barb Hill, ensemble: Barb has several andamp;#8220;great American novelsandamp;#8221; in progress at this time and has published many short stories, poems and magazine articles.Teresa Bryan, ensemble: Teresa has been an artist for 25 years, with her favorite medium being ceramic art.Sophie Muller, hair: Sophie likes to spend her time volunteering for Disabled Sports for Vets as a ski instructor.Claire Woodsley, flood: Claire has hosted shows such as DewTour and the X Games. She was also in The Amazing Race 17 and is known for getting hit in the face with a watermelon!Teresa Crimmins, The Vagina Workshop: Teresa loves to hike and be outdoors, which makes her a wonderful director of operations at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.Christin Wilcox, Because He Liked to Look at It: Christin enjoys snowboarding, cooking, yoga and teaching healthy habits to kids, which is great as she is the head chef at the Boys andamp; Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe.Katie Mize, What if I Told You I Did Not Have a Vagina: Katie is a born and raised Tahoeite, and loves it as her home.Jamie Olive, My Angry Vagina: Jamie believes theater is a powerful creative outlet and effective tool in spreading awareness; she is thrilled to help share the eye-opening and empowering message of The Vagina Monologues with the community.Kelly Byrd, Little Coochie Snorcher That Could: Kelly is an avid music lover and traveler who loves to practice yoga, experiment with new recipes, ride her 1972 Raleigh bicycle and capture her experiences in photographs.Kristin Erickson, My Vagina Was My Village: Kristin believes that The Vagina Monologues are a cornerstone in work being done in the name of gender justice.Shawn Wille, Reclaiming Cunt: Shawn participated in the Monologues all four years of college, directing it her final year.Pam Ferris Pavel, Six Year Old Girl: Pam is a 30-year broadcasting veteran and a member of the Nevada Broadcasting Hall of Fame. When she isnandamp;#8217;t skiing she can be found at KTKE 101.5 in Truckee.Andrea Wilkens, Six Year Old Girl: Andrea enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, rock climbing and anything else outdoors.Sarah Poynter, The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy: Sarah has been following her childhood dream of being an actor for several years now. She has appeared in several independent films, commercials, music videos; she has had roles in Carpoolers, Eli Stone, Nip/Tuck, According to Jim, Numb3rs, Chuck and CSI.Kathy Muonio, I Was There in the Room: Kathy was in the 2010 production of Spanish language The Vagina Monologues and loves to play Rock Band with her 9-year-old daughter.About V-DayV-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest and sex slavery. For more information about the V-day 2012 Campaign and the global movement, please visit http://www.vday.org.About Tahoe SAFE AllianceEstablished in 1985, Tahoe SAFE Alliance is a community-based organization providing direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other individuals in crisis. Tahoe SAFE Alliance is currently the only agency providing assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee region of California and Nevada. Tahoe SAFE Alliance provides the community with confidential support through a 24-hour help line, legal advocacy, a safe house, a childrenandamp;#8217;s program, support groups and a violence prevention program. All information and services are free of charge and available to men, women and children in English and Spanish. For more information please visit http://www.tahoesafealliance.org.andamp;#8212; Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com


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