The last time I had to memorize lines for a stage production was nearly 15 years ago–around the same time I’d seen “Vagina Monologues” in Denver. I’d just barely found out about the auditions the night before they occurred. Despite being the last one to find out. I was among the first to audition since I had to dash off to host the Austin Writers Roulette.
Unlike other stage productions I’d been a part of, this show was a fundraiser for Safe Place, which provides services for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault as well as preventive, educational services. In addition to volunteering in this production, I wanted the opportunity to meet other creative, confident women. I was delighted to land the role of “The Little Coochie-Snorcher That Could” and started memorizing my lines as soon as the script was emailed to me, back in late November. I didn’t know what the acting expectations were for VM. I figured since I’d received the script so early, I had to memorize my lines. Plus, there were only two scheduled rehearsals for the Monday cast, wonderfully nicknamed “Cast Badass.”
In mid January, I met the other women for the first time at a photo shoot. That’s where I learned we didn’t have to memorize our lines. I also learned we could deliver our lines standing or sitting. Up until that point, I’d rehearsed my lines while seated. After the photo shoot, I started rehearsing at home with more animation, movement and a folding chair. My claim to fame was doing a mini burlesque routine with the chair while reciting lines about a positive sexual encounter–complete with falling out of it on cue.
At our first rehearsal, I feared my acting was too over the top. Yet, I stayed true to my interpretation. Afterwards, other VM actresses complimented my performance and said I’d raised the bar.
On the night of the performance, we opened to a sold out crowd. Four former coworkers and a fellow rouletter were among the audience members. Just before the show began, an American Sign Language interpreter, who signed for my part, came to the dressing room and gushed about how she loved my interpretation of my VM role. Although I thanked her, a small part of me worried if she’d just jinxed me.
Turns out, once I hit the stage, a welcoming wall of darkness cloaked the audience from me and the lines along with the movements flowed out of me. I didn’t flub or forget a single line. The audience response sealed the deal for me.
Afterwards, I only had one other part to play as a member of the orgasm choir who stood behind one woman who was seated in front of us. She recited about 2/3 of her monologue before we joined her on stage. I did the “black woman orgasm” by screaming “oh shit!” with three other black women. I also had the “tortured yogi orgasm,” where I made a protracted scream, which ended with a drawn out “om.”
With such a large cast, we had to come out on stage in several groups of four and then take individual bows when the director said our names. I did a full curtsey and enjoyed another fabulous applause.