Breaking Ground Monologues

SAVE’s annual performance of the Breaking Ground Monologues featured stories of struggle, empowerment and growth.
The Breaking Ground Monologues was an exhilarating experience recounting various tales curated by Eve Ensler. The night also consisted of original works from members of the cast, such as Bethany Hoskins and Jules Yang. The content performed at the event was meant to be thought-provoking and emotional, which it succeeded. The monologues were simultaneously funny and tear-jerking.
The performance kicked off with a powerful introduction recounting the numerous names for vaginas. There was not a dry eye in the Chapman auditorium after Grace Walker’s performance of “The Flood.” Throughout the entire event, an aura of acceptance and love permeated the room, creating one of the most inclusive environments I have seen on campus in my entire time here. Domestic Violence Intervention Services members were present at the event hosting a booth dedicated to offering additional knowledge on sexual violence prevention.
“They Beat the Girl Out of Me” was an emotional monologue about a transgender woman’s journey, highlighting the challenges and pain she endured as well as the love she has for herself. The choice to use a chorus to tell the story elevated it to a more universal expression of the trans community’s struggles.
“Six-Year-Old Girl” performed by Tonia Johnson, was a well-timed humorous break in the night that reminded the audience of the innocence of women and that the vagina could still be funny.
“Coochie Cancer” was an extremely relevant piece about how apathetic the health care system is to women’s pain. No one believed the girl when she told the doctors what she was experiencing was not normal. Her frustrations were tangible and the original story featured by SAVE and written by Izzy Mireles left no tales untold recounting her experience as the medical system took many months to properly acknowledge her pain.
“Because He Liked to Look At It,” told the tale of a woman discovering love for her punani through a man named Bob dedicating himself to praising her and her twat. Erin Weiss did a phenomenal job delivering the story and had the audience on the edge of their seats, reliving the empowering experience.
“My Short Skirt” was a powerful piece delivered in an equally powerful way. The performers Lexi Mills, Erin Weiss and Issy Harris took a strong stance against victim blaming and objectification, turning the short skirt into “a liberation flag in the women’s army.”
The severely juxtaposing lines in “My Vagina Was My Village” gave the audience a painful whiplash. Recounted by Izzy Mireles, the monologue was an impactful tale of how the pain of victims of rape continues on throughout life. Mireles told the story of a vagina that was once a “swimming river water” and being left with “dirty sperm inside” as the vagina and her “hometown” were invaded.
Brittany Banh performed “My Angry Vagina” emphasizing the pressure felt by those with vaginas to conform to intense societal standards. Vaginas everywhere must comply with patriarchal expectations about how to act, what to wear and what jobs they can have.
Bethany Hoskins contrived an emphatic original work entitled “High Heels.” Her monologue recounted an all too common tale of women being reduced to their attire as she created an ostinato pattern repeating “black tights, black dress, high heels.” Hoskins’ performance received roaring applause as she left her mark on the night.
This year’s Breaking Ground Monologues led to reflection, laughter and knowledge as a host of stories were shared.