The Vagina Monologues to Benefit Local Domestic Violence Support Services, September 29

By Nippertown Staff On Sep 27, 2022

SCHENECTADY – YWCA NorthEastern NY is staging their bi-annual performance of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues on Thursday, September 29^th, 2022 at Proctors GE Theatre. The performance, hosted by Jen McMullen, winner of the Capital Region’s Best of the Best Comedy Contest, will begin at 7pm. More than 20 community members and leaders will come together to present this amazing show, kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month and benefiting YWCA NorthEastern NY’s domestic violence support services.

Doors open at 6pm for preshow fun including a cash bar, photo booth, raffles, and giveaways. At 7pm, many familiar faces from the Capital Region will take the stage to perform Eve Ensler’s powerful collection of monologues from women around the world. The monologues explore sexual experiences, body image, reproduction encounters, sex work, and several other topics through the eyes of women of all ages, races, sexualities, and beyond. The performance is for mature audiences.

Performers include: YWCA NENYs CEO Kim Siciliano, singer/songwriter and comedian Erin Harkes, Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County’s executive director Madelyn Thorne, HR director for Proctors, Capital Repertory Theatre, and Universal Preservation Hall Leesa Oliver, Planned Parenthood staff member Theresa Casullo, YWCA NENY employees Danielle Schimpf, Epiphany McGee, Bonnie McGee, and Sarah Caterina, founder and chief consultant at Head Heart Hands Consulting Christina Farinacci-Roberts, registered nurse Ellen Lynette Williams, director of the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NYSPQC) Kristen Lawless, YWCA-GCR’s Executive Director Starletta Smith, GED teacher Danielle Everetts, graphic designer Allison Shivka, manager of training and technical assistance at the Community Loan Fund Destiny Watkins, copywriter and YWCA NENY board member Talia Cass, life and business coach Miranda VonFricken, director of equity and inclusion initiative at the Community Foundations Daquetta P. Jones, published award-winning photographer, author, and inspirational speaker Lindsay Rae, and US Veteran Cheyenne Lovell.

The New York Times hailed the play as “the most important piece of political theater of the last decade” and now YWCA NENY is staging the performance in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month. All funds raised will directly benefit YWCA’s domestic violence support services. YWCA NENY has been offering comprehensive domestic violence services for over 45 years. Services span from a 24-hour emergency shelter and hotline to individual and group counseling, advocacy, rapid rehousing, teen violence prevention, and economic empowerment.

General Admission tickets are $35 with a student discount available at the box office. Tickets can also be purchased on the Proctors website: www.proctors.org.