BY MICHELLE MILLER
STAFF WRITER
A cast of women will be
entering the forbidden zone
in hopes of raising awareness
and money for violence
against women.
These women will be taking
the stage to tell other
women’s stories of intimacy,
vulnerability and sexual
self-discovery at 7:30 p.m. at
the Smithy Pioneer Gallery
tonight, Friday and Saturday.
“The Vagina Monologues,”
written by Eve Ensler, will be
shared for the fourth time
in Cooperstown. Although
performed in cities all over the
world, director Rebecca Burk-
Sciallo said the topic can still
be controversial.
``I am very proud of this
community,’’ said Burk-Sciallo.
``Cooperstown has been very
open and receiving in supporting
our mission to put on
a show to create awareness
and raise money for a good
cause.’’
Burk-Sciallo said hundreds
of college campuses put on
performances of “The Vagina
Monologues,” but communities
can also participate in giving
a voice to women’s deepest
fantasies and fears in order to
stop violence against women.
The goal is to create awareness
and to educate, she said.
The cost of admission is $10,
which includes a ticket for an
auction fundraiser. According
to Burk-Sciallo, 10 percent of
the proceeds go to a ``spotlight’’
campaign. This year’s
“spotlight campaign” is women
in the Congo. Burk-Sciallo said
the rest of the funds will be donated
to Opportunities for Otsego
for its violence intervention
program and to help fund
the creation of an organization
in Cooperstown.
According to Burk-Sciallo,
the organization will be called
the Cooperstown Warriors and
will host its own self-defense
classes, self-esteem workshops
and other workshops that will
help young men and women
make healthy life choices.
Burk-Sciallo said the goal is to
have the organization running
by June.
Most years the cast is typically
made up of high school
students, but Burk-Sciallo said
auditions have always been
open to the general public.
This year, Misty Miller is the
only community member
who will be performing. Miller
said she has been a victim, so
it is important for her to help
others who have also been
sufferers and those that could
fall victim of violence.
“It does happen, and it
needs to be addressed,” said
Miller.
Miller said this will be her
first time participating in “The
Vagina Monologues.” She said
she is not afraid of the spotlight
because she has some
experience in theater and
performing in front of an audience.
Miller said the subject
does not make her uncomfortable
because she has seen
monologues performed in the
past and knew what she was
getting herself into.
“If I had never heard of it or
seen it before then that might
have been different,’’ she said.
“It’s an amazing experience
to do the show. It makes me
feel like a real part of the community,”
added Miller.
Brii Sperbeck, a senior at
Schenevus Central School,
said this will mark her first
year performing in The Vagina
Monologues.
Sperbeck said when she was
a little girl she had two friends
who were sexually abused. She
said her mother had a feeling it
was happening and would not
allow her to go visit the friends’
home. At that time, Sperbeck
said she did not understand
the reasoning behind why she
could not visit her friends, but
learned the truth years later
and understood.
“I want to be able to get the
word out before the fact, not
after,’’ said Sperbeck.
The senior said many students
at her school asked stereotypical
questions while she
was hanging posters on the
wall to promote the monologues.
However, she said a
lot of the students said they
wanted to come see the performance
once she explained
what it was all about and that
is was to create awareness.
For more information about
women’s violence and ways to
take action visit v-day.org.
inactive
April 1, 2010
‘Vagina Monologues’ begin tonight
- inactive
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Ruth Rathbun Druse
RICHFIELD SPRINGS -- Friends and family of Ruth Druse are invited to a service of the Burial Office and Holy Communion at St. John's Episcopal Church, Main Street, Richfield Springs. The service will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, and will be officiated by the Rev. John Bartle.
-
Milford softball clinches TV-East tie
Five players had extra-base hits for host Milford, which overcame an early 3-0 deficit to clinch at least a tie for the Tri-Valley League East Division title with a 6-4 win over Worcester on Monday.
- Ann Catharine Casey NISKAYUNA -- A Memorial Service in Celebration of the Life of Ann Catharine Casey will be offered at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, 11 May 2013, in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Mark A. Michael, rector, officiating. The Committal Service and inurnment will follow in the Ecumenical Columbarium in the Church-yard at Christ Church.
- Elizabeth Jane Hathaway McManus FLY CREEK -- Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Hathaway McManus, age 80, passed away Saturday morning, April 27, 2013, at Otsego Manor.
- Theodore E. 'Ted' Lamb COOPERSTOWN -- Theodore E. "Ted" Lamb, a native of Cooperstown who will be remembered for his faithful devotion to his beloved village, died Friday morning, April 26, 2013, at his home on Linden Avenue. The husband of Celia B. Lamb, Ted was 80 years-old.
- Police: CV-S student made bomb threat A bomb threat overheard Tuesday morning by a student at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District led to the building being cleared and searched by state police starting at 9:30 a.m., state police at Richfield Springs said.
- Julius Earll Waller (Jerry) CHERRY VALLEY -- Julius Earll Waller (Jerry), 96, died peacefully March 27, 2013, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, his family at his side.
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- Sports Roundup
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Defense, hitting strengths for Wildcats
The girls have not played a game yet, but the Milford softball team already has a lot going for itself.
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