When the lights dimmed and Wanda Groetelaars stepped from the stage to greet her daughter, something wonderful happened. They started talking about being women.
That was two years ago, and given the chance, Groetelaars jumped at the opportunity to act in The Vagina Monologues again.
"I am a bit of an activist for women's rights," the Squamish mother of two daughters said. "A lot of people turn off or get scared of the word 'feminist.' Done through art, people are able to see things differently."
Much like the discussion Groetelaars and her daughter had after the show, The Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler aimed to get people to laugh, cry and shudder at women's experiences around the world. First produced in 1996, the episodic play has been viewed in more than 140 countries and raised approximately $85 million toward programs that help women live safely and freely.
"Most people say it is not what they thought it was going to be," Groetelaars said.
The play has some humorous parts, she noted, combined with raw moments that catch you off guard. Ensler interviewed more than 200 women to put the piece together. The monologues range from a Bosnian woman to Ensler's new addition about the plight of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
"When we are finished, then you notice the power of [the play] because people from the audience come up and want to tell their story," Groetelaars added.
This year, Groetelaars will be joined onstage by District of Squamish Coun. Patricia Heintzman, Christine Selda, Deanna Enders, Sealagh King, Tessa McLoughin and Roseanne George. Marie Mckinney is organizing the event.
Proceeds from the show will go toward the Howe Sound Women's Centre, with 10 per cent of the earnings being donated to the V-Day spotlight charity the Women and Girls of Haiti.
The play is to be performed twice. The Whistler performance, set for Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m., is to benefit the new Whistler Women's Drop-in Centre. Tickets cost $28 and are available at the Whistler Arts Council website www.artswhistler.com.
The play comes to the Brackendale Art Gallery on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and are available at BAG, Howe Sound Women's Centre and Pearl's Seconds on Cleveland Avenue. Past performances have sold out, Groetelaars warned, so get your ticket sooner than later.
For more information call (604) 892-5748.
