The annual benefit production of “Vagina Monologues” will tell the stories of women and their experiences with intimacy, violence and self discovery “The main point (of the production) is to raise awareness of the gender violence and issues women go through,” said Nichole Olson, the graduate coordinator of the production.

V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women, is sponsoring the play. The “Vagina Monologues” are based on Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women and have been performed in thousands of cities and college campuses across the world. At WSU, “Vagina Monologues” raised more than $10,000 in ticket sales and vagina chocolates for last year’s production, Olson said.

“Participating in the show made me proud to be a woman,” said Grace Keller, a junior communication major and 2009 cast member. “It made me proud to know I was helping inform my community and assist women in need by raising awareness and funds.” Hoping to maintain the increase in male attendance seen in last year’s audiences, Olson hopes this year’s play will start getting men involved with the issue of domestic violence. “It’s not just a woman’s issue,” Olson said. “It’s a humanist issue.” Others agree with the play’s importance. “(The play) allows women to be proud of themselves and talk about taboo things in a positive light,” Keller said. Extending the span of people affected in comparison to years past, portions of the proceeds from this year’s show will go to Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse and women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A donation will also be made to the Friends of the Orphans charity in honor of Molly Hightower. This year’s show is dedicated to Hightower, the sister of a WSU graduate student and long-time participant in V-Day.

Hightower died while volunteering in a Haitian orphanage at the time of the earthquake that devastated the area.

V-Day WSU believes Hightower embodies the true essence of a “Vagina Warrior,” sacrificing her life to help those in need. “Despite what we are told, one person truly can make a difference, and my sister’s life has shown that in spades,” said Jordan Hightower, Molly’s sister.

The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m from Thursday to Saturday in Jones Theatre. Seating begins at 7 p.m. Tickets will be on sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Wednesday this week in the main lobby of the CUB for $8. Tickets will also be available at the CougarCard Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the door for $10. Vagina chocolates will also be available at ticket tables and at the door.