The University of Dayton Monologues, a show by the Studio Theatre Program, features monologues about gender and sexuality, written and directed by students.
UD Mons is to be performed at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, March 9, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, in the Studio Theatre Black Box in the Music and Theatre building.
The show bridges the gap between what people want to say and what’s actually said, according to cast member and freshman pre-medicine major Beverly Dines.
“It allows members of the student body to voice things that people are not always comfortable with but needs to be vocalized,” Dines said.
The monologues are written primarily by members of the cast, but monologue submissions from students outside of the
cast are welcomed.
“The stories are more personal, unlike a lot of stories in theater productions that may not be relatable because of the time period or age gap with the main characters,” said cast member Ashley Stoetzel, a senior childhood education major.
The cast members say that potential audiences should not be discouraged by the idea of a show filled with monologues.
“It relates to anyone, and anyone can understand it and comprehend what’s happening on stage,” said UD Mons co-director Josh Chamberlain, a junior English and American studies major.
“You may be doubtful at first … but it’s a moving show,” said sophomore education major Emily Mobley.
“My first year [seeing the show]… I was so blown out of the water, that I immediately went home afterwards and started writing monologues for next year,” said UD Mons co-director and senior theatre major Mary Mykytka.
“It’s a gender issues show,” Chamberlain said. “It relates to your identity and how it makes you who you are.”
Chamberlain said that this year’s show unintentionally became more serious than in the past.
“We have a lot more serious topics,” he said. “… There’s still light-hearted stuff in the show, but there’s a lot of heavy stuff too.”
UD Monologues is a free event, but coming with a reservation is encouraged. There are also “talk backs,” or discussions with the members of the cast after the show to get to know the cast members and their inspiration and experiences.
For more information to reserve a spot, call 937-229-3685 or reserve online at udayton.edu/students/studio_theatre/index.php.
