A small, intimate group of Ames residents, students and faculty came together Wednesday at the Memorial Union to catch a showing of the Vagina Monologues.

Proceeds for the night’s events went to Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support.

The show touched on various topics throughout the night, including the serious side of abusive relationships and made the audience laugh when stating what makes a vagina angry.

Ames resident Megan Blair put in her two cents about what she liked from the performance.

“I think that it was great all of the different sides that they had,” Blair said. “Some were serious, while others were funny. I like how it kind of took you in all different directions.”

The performers kept the audience entertained and involved throughout the night, and a steady amount of admiration and shouts of support could be heard while the actors were onstage.

Ruth Hines, senior in genetics and psychology, returned for her third performance.

“Getting together with the cast is such a good experience,” Hines said. “It makes me feel good that I’m doing this part for the community.”

The production takes the audience through various topics in the style of solo performances, monologues and a few group acts. Some stories brought up memories for audience members that may have gone through similar experiences.

“It brought up a little bit about my personal history and [I was] able to reflect on seeing that other people go through similar things,” Blair said.

The common response from the audience members and performers about the Vagina Monologues was the common theme of bringing people together and saying what society sometimes shies away from.

“These stories aren’t really shared in mainstream media, so it’s giving [us] a chance to talk about women and their issues,” Hines said.

Hines continues to talk about the atmosphere she was raised in.

“I personally grew up in a conservative, sheltered home where we didn’t talk about this type of thing,” Hines said. “I think it’s really important to see this and realize we’re going through these same issues together and just understand how relatable it is and realizing we can talk about this.”

Hines hopes people walk away with “a sense of community and openness and getting comfortable with talking about their own issues.”

The Vagina Monologues will have two additional performances at 6 p.m. Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Pre-ordered tickets are $13 for the public and $10 for students. Tickets for the day of are $15 for the public and $12 for students.