Rehearsals for V-Day are underway to prepare for opening night in the Bodker Black Box theater on March 7. (Photo by Noah Panjada)

V-Day is not only just a production put on by the JCCC Student Theater Department, but also a part of an international movement against ending violence against women. Showing Saturday, which is International Women’s Day, as well as the Friday before, this two performer play is one of the more unique and impactful shows put on by the school each year.

“V-Day is a reader’s theatre production, meaning that the actors work with scripts in hand. It is designed to counter violence against women,” Director Sheilah Philip said. “It is a collection of poems, scenes, and monologues, many of them written and performed by members of the cast themselves, the sum of which is to inform, educate and move audience members to stop assault and violence against women.”

The show is only playing this weekend, with two shows each day at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It will be playing at the Black Box Theater, located within the Midwest Trust Center. Like all student productions, tickets are free and first come, first serve. Donations to the V-Day movement can be made at their website, https://www.vday.org/take-action/donate-to-vday/. 

“It was a totally different experience than anything I had worked on before,” Cerys Griffith, one of two actors in the production said. “Most shows that you are in need to look for its meaning and why it is important. This show, however, is very clear. This was also the hardest show I have ever worked on not because of it being complex but because of the heavy subject matter. V-Day is important because it is real. There are too many women who are faced with violence and it has to stop. By telling these stories, we make it clear that no matter who you are or what your situation is, here in our theater department, you will always be believed. This show is powerful in a way that is hard to describe. Whether you have experienced violence and want to be seen, or whether you want to learn more or maybe you want to be a part of something bigger, V-Day has something in it for everyone.” 

A trigger warning is also issued for this play, as it naturally delves into very dark subject matter around abuse and assault. Students or guests who may be extra sensitive to seeing such subject matter performed on stage should be advised. Griffith also wished to share the number for the Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault (MOCSA): 816-531-0233 and 913-642-0233.

“I will say that I hope students will come to understand that violence against women is perpetuated in society, and that it is not enough for a man to say, ‘Well, I’m not violent with women, so I’m OK.’ You are not an ally by simply not engaging in violence, you have to do more to help change the culture,” Philip added. “You have to call out other men when they make nasty, sexist remarks about women, for example. One of the cast members from last year told me that being in the production really changed his whole psychological outlook.”