FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Viola T. Johnson Blunt
violatjohnson@gmail.com
504.813.9008

NEW ORLEANS, LA. - February 26, 2017 - Ashé Cultural Arts Center brings to the stage once again, The Vagina Monologues, A V-Day 2017 Campaign Event to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls. The event takes place Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Ashé, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. It was written by V-Day founder/playwright Eve Ensler, and is directed by Kesha McKey. The executive producer is Carol Bebelle.

The award-winning play is based on Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women around the world. With humor and grace, the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives.

The Vagina Monologues is a global movement, a cultural revolution, and a catalyst for a critical conversation to end violence against women and girls. It is also an opportunity to raise money for local beneficiaries charged with keeping women safe, informed and empowered.

This year's cast includes a stunning collection of community actresses and novices, alongside notable celebs.

Packed with great choreography and stories that will be etched in your mind forever, this piece of work will make you laugh and cry. But you are certain to leave the theater uplifted.

The 2017 community cast: Laureé Akinda, Sydney Camel, Yashica Collins, Laurence Copel, Tina Dixon, Kemba Dupree, Coti Gayles, Lacey Howcroft, Hannah Haakenson, Ronisha Johnson, Marlo Lacen, Laurita Marie, Jenna Vagts, Joi Warner, and Glenda Watters.

The creative team consists of assistant director/choreographer Catherine Caldwell, light designer John Grimsley, stage manager Karel Sloane-Boekbinder; and production assistants Thea Bashful, Tiphanie Champ and Britta Tollefsrud.

STAGE PERFORMANCES are Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans.
General admission is $20; students with ID and seniors 65 and over pay only $10.

Tickets are available at Ashé or online at http://bit.ly/VM-2017.
All proceeds from the show will benefit Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and the YWCA of Greater New Orleans. For more information, call at 569-9070.

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About Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Ashé Cultural Arts Center, located at 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in New Orleans, is an effort to combine the intentions of neighborhood and economic development with the awesome creative forces of culture, community and art. We use culture and art to promote individual, community and economic development. Central to this mission is the recognition that American society has a marginalized view of African-Americans and their participation in the social and culture of the nation. Our primary goal is to interrupt that view, and to promote social and cultural equity.

Operating since 1998, Ashé is a gathering place for emerging and established artists to present, create and collaborate in giving life to their art. The campus of this multi-faceted institution, contains a dedicated art gallery, three event halls and often houses concerts, banquets, seminars, theater, a year-round youth program and more. Visit www.ashecac.org or call (504) 569-9070 for more information.