Vagina Warriors take the stage (Photo by John Schreiber, The Daily Campus)

The “V” in V-Day represents Victory, Valentine and Vagina.

Sponsored by the Women’s Interest Network, “The Vagina Monologues” opened Tuesday night to an audience of various ages and genders at the Hughes-Trigg Theater. This is the fifth season of the production at SMU.

“‘The Vagina Monologues’ is an anti-violence play that benefits charity, and it is also a play that encourages admiration, appraisal and knowledge of the female body,” said Kate Brown, president of the Women’s Interest Network, in an e-mail interview.

V-Day, a non-profit corporation that provides funds to stop domestic violence against girls and women, was conceived in 1998 when Eve Ensler, writer of “The Vagina Monologues,” toured the United States performing her Obie-Award winning play. As she heard stories from various women about the abuse they suffered, she organized the V-Day movement and “The Vagina Monologues” tradition.

Preparations began in November 2005 with auditions for the cast and a search for a director. Theater experience was not required to be a part, but it aided those who auditioned.

The cast of 13 women and one man, varying in age and experience, addressed a number of female issues, ranging from the light and humorous to the very serious.

Junior Michelle Wigianto, said the play was more intense than she expected.

“It’s really incredible. I really liked that they interjected the point about female genital mutilation.”

Cast member Mary Skidmore-Gibbs, administrative assistant at the health center, said the cast’s diversity always gave her a shoulder to lean on. A survivor of domestic abuse, she wanted to let women know that “violence is not okay, regardless of what capacity it’s done in.”

Vagina Warrior merchandise was sold at the event to promote publicity and to get people involved in conversation about both the play and what defines exploitation. For $1, people could purchase buttons with messages such as “Support your local vagina,” and “My vagina is a nudist.” T-shirts were for sale for $8 and vagina-shaped suckers and chocolates could also be purchased.

Gibbs said awareness of domestic violence has grown in recent years, and she encouraged women to stand up for themselves and for each other.

The program, funded entirely by Student Senate, cost about $2,500 for promotions, a dress rehearsal and two performances, and $10,000 to $15,000 is expected to be raised from merchandise and ticket sales and donations.

All of the proceeds will benefit The Family Place and Comfort Women.

A final performance will take place tonight at the Hughes-Trigg Theater at 8. Tickets are $10 for students and faculty and $15 for all others.