Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Powerful Alternative to The Vagina Monologues Playing at Catholic Colleges and Universities


MINNEAPOLIS, April 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The controversial and sexually explicit play, The Vagina Monologues, has caused many protests on Catholic university campuses over the years. Now, an enlightening and uplifting alternative is playing at campuses around the country. The VITAE Monologues -- The Monologues of Life -- made its debut at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in early March. 

The VITAE Monologues portrays real-life, powerful stories of hope and healing and the triumphant beauty of human life within our broken and wounded culture. The VITAE Monologues is a groundbreaking 2-person drama based on eye-opening and compelling true stories of women and men who deserve a voice within our culture, exploring the difficult reality of post- abortion trauma as well as the healing that's possible after abortion. 

Created by Epiphany Studios Productions, a Catholic traveling theatre company, the play features international performers Jeremy Stanbary and Sarah Preissner. An original music score from composer and musician Nicholas Lemme adds to the dramatic interpretations of these true-life stories. 

Jeremy Stanbary founded Epiphany Studios in 2003 as a means of combining his passion and love for the Catholic Faith with his passion and talents as an actor. He has performed for thousands in the United States as well as World Youth Day in Australia and Germany. Says Stanbary, "The inspiration and basis for our work is rooted in the writings of Pope John Paul II, primarily his dramatic and artistic vision, the theological and philosophical Tradition of the Catholic Church, the rich Catholic cultural heritage, and the tremendous real life examples of the saints." 

The VITAE Monologues is a powerful, non-political, play that ministers to people of all backgrounds, serving as a beacon of light within our culture and engaging audiences to think about this controversial subject from a new and very real perspective. One audience member had this to say. "I walked out of the auditorium feeling like I'd been turned inside out. I was wiping away tears. This is a powerful play, but the word 'Play' doesn't fit. This is drama. These are real stories from real people. They will speak to everyone who sees The VITAE Monologues." 

As for The Vagina Monologues, The Cardinal Newman Society recently reported that 15 Catholic campuses were holding productions in 2009, down from a high of 32 in 2003. A trend that will hopefully continue as The VITAE Monologues debuts in Catholic colleges across the country. 

For more information, or to book The VITAE Monologues at your College campus or parish, contact Tina Remmert of The Maximus Group at 678- 990-9032 Ext. 107 or cremmert@maximusmg.com or visit www.TMGSpeakers.com

To schedule an interview with Jeremy Stanbary, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871 or cschicker@maximusmg.com.