Walking into the Memorial Auditorium lobby on Feb. 18, 19 and 20, one could hear the excited chatter and laughter of many as they talked about vaginas.

So maybe that was not exactly what they were talking about, but the word “vagina” was being thrown around. This was mostly heard when people would say the title of the show, “The Vagina Monologues.”

As people bought their tickets, they could buy lollipops in the shape of, you guessed it, vaginas. They could also write notes and give candygrams to the performers in little bags and could even visit a table with information on Carlisle YWCA Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services of Cumberland County, which received 80 perecnt of the ticket sales.

As people walked in and got settled in their seats, the dark curtain was closed. The only thing people could see was “The Vagina Monologues.” The text was styled like “Orange Is the New Black,” which was also the theme for this year’s monologues.

Once the lights went down and the spotlight hit the middle of the stage, Stephanie Erdice, the director of the Shippensburg University Women’s Center and Chelsea Ksanznak, co-director of the monologues, walked out to introduce the show. Erdice then called out Madeline Kwarteng, the other co-director, who then presented the Vagina Warrior Award to Ksanznak.

Then, as Erdice, Ksanznak and Kwarteng left the stage as the curtain parted. This revealed risers on each side of the stage with a red and orange background, creating the actresses’ silhouettes against the background.

As three women walked out, the lights came up and the show began as the performers gave different names that are used for the vagina. This would set the night on a humorous, but serious journey of what women experience throughout their lives.

One of the most humorous segments was “My Angry Vagina” performed by Jennifer Thomas. She stood in front of the closed curtain and began to explain several experiences women have to go through, such as visiting the gynecologist, and why it is almost torture.

The crowd, especially the women in the audience, laughed as Thomas yelled into the microphone about how upset her vagina was at these things.

The most well-received segment was “The Woman Who Liked To Make Vaginas Happy” performed by Mary Butler. Butler began by sitting backward in her chair, explaining why she liked to pleasure women. As the segment kept on, the crowd was almost on the floor as they laughed at her explanation of the different types of moans women had. Butler seemed relaxed and some in the audience even said she had “swagger.”

The night was not just about making the audience laugh. Segments such as “My Vagina Was My Village,” explained the torture some women go through in different parts of the world, but specifically focused on rape of young women in Bosnia and Kosovo. The audience did not seem to move and gasps could even be heard during this monologue.

“They Beat The Girl Out Of My Boy…Or So They Tried” was another monologue that followed this trend. The audience listened as the performers explained the experience some transgendered women faced for trying to be who they felt they were. Again, it seemed as if the audience did not move and just listened to what some women had to face just to be themselves.

Once the night came to an end, the performers wore huge smiles as they rushed off the stage to hug their friends and family.

“Everyone did great,” said Madison Dorfman, who performed “Reclaiming Cunt.”

Bulter said she was nervous before walking out. When asked how she felt about being assigned “The Woman Who Liked To Make Vaginas Happy” her first response was, “I guess I am.” Though she added that she had fun doing it.

Kwarteng and Ksanznak said they where happy with the show overall. They said the cast was good and they were happy for the diversity. They also agreed that it was impossible to pick a favorite segment and they loved that each person put their own twist on the monologues.

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