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Printer-Friendly ModeThe Canvas: The Good Body
March 10, 2008 —
Have you ever had a problem with self-confidence, sexual stereotypes or body image? The Good Body, a play by Eve Ensler, opens this Friday in SVSU's Blackbox Theater.
The play, written by Ensler after the success of her award winning The Vagina Monologues, is a look into the modern woman's struggle between the values of a Barbie Doll society and the reality of her own body.
The story follows Eve on her quest toward being able to accept her stomach. On this journey, audience members get a unique opportunity to meet women from across the world including places like Puerto Rico and Africa. Eve also opens up to more "American" figures such as an editor for Cosmopolitan, a semi-brainwashed model, a "punk" girl and one woman trapped at fat camp.
Each of these sequences, delivered in a neutral setting of black platforms and chairs, are designed to strip away all of the extras in an effort to focus on the script's important message.
The show is delivered as a series of monologues from the diverse cast with Eve interjecting her thoughts, discoveries and self-confidence issues along the way.
The production is presented as a capstone project for theater seniors Bethany Champion and Bridget Kreager, with Champion directing and Kreager working as technical director and portraying the lead character.
Both have worked on the project a long time and are excited about its empowering message that they hope both women and men will appreciate.
Champion says that she fell in love with the play.
"It spoke true to a lot of feelings that we, as well as many of our friends, were experiencing," she said. "It relates to our entire generation, and is also intimate and personal for each audience member."
Kreager agreed with Champion's comments.
"It is really strong in that it connects on a personal level. It highlights conversations that every woman has had with another person or herself."
The show also focuses on a woman's struggle with the media and social pressures that become more ingrained and accepted with each generation. To present this important message, the show is filled with everything from dry humor and social dialogue to very personal moments with each of the characters. Somewhat risque in places, the show is set up to approach its goals not only from a variety of perspectives, but also from a variety of physical and verbal angles.
Geared toward the college crowd of both sexes, Champion and Kreager hope that the audience will go away with a positive message. They believe that everyone is affected by negative media, and The Good Body lets them know that other people feel the same way they do.
Champion is particularly excited about this project because it is her first time directing a fully realized production.
"The experience has been completely different for me. It's hard having to sit and watch when your instinct tells you to get up and do it."
Kreager also faces many challenges in the project, as it is her first time being not only a technical director, but a lead actress as well.
"As far as the technical aspects of the show go, I have had a lot of really great help on everything. It has allowed me to focus on understanding the role of Eve. I've realized that we have a lot of the same opinions and self-confidence issues, and so it has been a lot of fun growing into the role."
The Good Body performs this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted.