Producer’s Update (by Marie-Louise Juslin)

Here's a peek at the behind-the-scenes of V-Day Lafayette's "The Vagina Monologues" benefitting The Gretta Foundation.

If you were to walk into the Lafayette Veteran's Memorial building tomorrow, you might wonder to yourself, as I did, how are they going to pull off a theater performance here? The venue is beautiful, yes. Neutral tones, tall open room with polished hardwood floors, windows and exposed wooden beams. But it's a community center. Nothing says theater. No stage. No lighting. No curtain. Nada.

But, lucky us, with a production like "The Vagina Monologues" we hardly have to worry about being "alternative." So that's where our all production crew comes into play.

A word about our team. All professional. All volunteer. All cool. Actually, totally awesome. You may get bored reading if I were to continue on about how incredible the team is, so suffice it to say: they are amazing!! (and I don't usually use exclamation marks, so that should really mean something here).

How did I meet them? Marian (our director) was a referral of a referral of a referral, and I knew from the moment we spoke that she's is not only The One (and there's a lot of very intentional weight in capitalizing the T and the O) but it turns out, she is incredibly also my long-lost twin; Sean (our stage manager) was serendipitously at a 10-year reunion party where I announced that, "eh… if anyone wants to be involved in The Vagina Monologues, dot dot dot" and to my incredulous delight Sean spelled it out for me: "you know, I AM a stage manager by profession" (though, pay attention non profits, he's making a career change into the realm of charity… snatch him up if you want him before The Gretta Foundation claims him); Maura (our set designer) replies to a blind classified ad "seeking set designer…mrrrwrrr"—who knew that those ads actually procure someone fabulous(!) (oh there's the exclamation again) who has a vision for the set that you will L-O-V-E; Ben (our lighting designer) I love the guy, and he's not afraid to bonk me over the head when I ask things like, "Can we put the generator outside?" Yes. ML. Duh.

And, wait until you meet our costumes/props designer, audio designer and hair/makeup… Ya, I'm still waiting too…

So here we have a team that is not only committed to a rocking production, but they're also completely gung-hoe on The Gretta Foundation. I'm serious, and I'm not just saying that because I'm on the board.

So there's your inside scoop on who's gonna make it happen—but to see how this crew is actually going to pull it off, you have to check it out for yourself. Get your tickets online.

www.grettafoundation.org/vday.htm

See you in March!

Marie-Louise

Director, The Gretta Foundation
V-Day Lafayette 2010 Executive Producer

An Introduction to The Vagina Monologues (by Meg Styles)

When the suggestion of a benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues first came up I have to say that I was instantly drawn in. At the time I was with a large gathering of TGF volunteers and two of our board members, Marie-Louise and Laura, were sharing their own V-Day success stories to the group. By the end of the evening, the excitement had spread and we conspiring towards our own V-Day success story.

There are two things I love most about TGF; seeing our work change the lives of young women through nursing scholarships and seeing our Gretta family grow.

Not only will this benefit production increase our mission on the ground but it has been, and continues to be, a privilege to work with the most incredible crew of committed, passionate and creative volunteers making this all happen. In these last couple months, I have been truly blessed to witness the multitudes of wonderful people putting in their energies and artistry and enthusiasm into a project we collectively believe in.

March 19^th, the opening performance of V-Day Lafayette's The Vagina Monologues, will mark the celebration of what would be Gretta's 80^th birthday. Her birthday has also been designated National Certified Nurses Day. I know that she will be with us all. Gretta was a visionary leader. Our mission was the progeny of her admonition, "Imagine a world without nurses." As I have seen with my own eyes, there are many places where imagining this seemingly inconceivable world takes no imagination at all.

Well TGF, V-Day Lafayette and all its volunteers, imagine a different world, a world where we combat violence against women through education and through the provision of tools to enter into the one truly indispensable profession, nursing. We imagine a world where legions of Gretta Scholars impact their communities exponentially and give the battle against child and maternal mortality and diseases like HIV a real fight.

And I can't forget to thank Eve Ensler and The Vagina Monologues for this extraordinary opportunity. I am privileged to be a part of this production, a production which over the years has done so much to support efforts that empower women around the world and break down stigma, embarrassment and shame.

Most importantly it is with great pride and humility that I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the production and the support of these performances. You know who you are.

It's amazing to me to think that a word like "Vagina" can make such a huge difference in so many lives. Who could have imagined?

V-Day Lafayette Presents "The Vagina Monologues"

Please join us as we raise funds and awareness for The Gretta Foundation through a benefit production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues.”

http://www.grettafoundation.org/vday.htm