The title may bring interesting images to mind, but the performance of the “Vagina Monologues” doesn’t quite feature female genitalia as the star. Instead, it focuses more on the female personality. Stories of first menstruation, sexual experiences and rape will be relayed by ISU women faculty, staff and students in their take on the critically acclaimed “Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler.The monologues have gained national popularity through performances across the nation featuring many well-known female celebrities. Productions in New York City have boasted personalities such as Claire Danes, Calista Flockhart, Melissa Joan Hart and Alanis Morrisette. Universities were given permission to present the monologues this week in a worldwide movement called “V-day,” which is an effort to raise funds for local groups supporting programs and services benefiting women and children that are survivors of violence.Shirley Dunlap is an associate professor of theater and a performer at tonight’s presentation. She was interested in the monologues because the impact it has concerning women’s issues.”The people who attend this performance should expect to see and hear a moving piece of work about women and the use, misuse and abuse of the center of their body,” she says.M. Evelina Galang, assistant professor of creative writing and a presenter of a monologue believes the show is an opportunity to empower women and their sexuality.”It’s not about the objectifying of the vagina,” she says. “It’s about the unheard stories of women who have been silenced into thinking their bodies are dirty objects. The reality is that our bodies are wondrous things, and they should be honored and respected.”The performance will be told by eight readers at the show tonight. Fern Kupfer, associate professor of English says that the ISU rendition of the monologues differ from other presentations of the show, where there are only three women who tell the stories.”You can have fewer or less women in this play because it’s like a reader’s theater,” Kupfer says. She adds that the idea of Iowa State’s production was to have more participants, include more students and increase participation with the event.”The Vagina Monologues” have been labeled as somewhat controversial because of the nature of some of the topics presented in the performance. Last week, a production scheduled at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN, was canceled due to a decision made by administration to censor it.”It’s interesting to me how our entire culture talks about men, male sexuality and male bodies, but we are squeamish when we talk about women’s bodies and their sexuality,” Sine Anahita, graduate student in sociology and performer in tonight’s show, says. “I see the ‘Vagina Monologues’ as a positive step in a most liberating direction.” Some of the monologues to be presented are entitled: “If Your Vagina got Dressed, What Would it Wear?,” “If Your Vagina Could Talk, What Would it Say?,” and “The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could.”La Tia McPherson, student performer and freshman in psychology believes the monologues deal with important issues about women that shouldn’t be considered so “touchy.” Vika Russell, senior in biology who is involved in the show, echoes McPherson’s attitudes toward the controversy of the performance.”‘The Vagina Monologues’ make the statement that it’s OK for women to be who they are and for them not to be embarrassed by what they were given,” Russell says. “It’s a gift to be a woman and women should not be ashamed of that.”