'Vagina Monologues' Casting Call — No Experience Needed!

Don't be shy, ladies. Here's your chance to be part of the iconoclastic stage play "The Vagina Monologues."

Auditions are Dec. 12 and 14 at Coffee Ali, Pleasanton, for a two-night charity performance in March at the Mertes Center for the Arts at Las Positas College, Livermore.

Local theater veteran Eleisa (Lisa) Cambra is directing the Eve Ensler play as a benefit for area crisis center Tri-Valley Haven.

The upcoming staging on March 1 and 2 marks Tri-Valley Haven's sixth production of "Monologues," a key fundraiser for the not-for-profit, said staffer Christine Dillman. 

"It is our biggest and most important fundraiser," Dillman said.

"Ninety percent of the proceeds go to Tri-Valley Haven to help end sexual and domestic violence in the Tri-Valley," she said.

The remaining 10 percent is earmarked for V-Day, playwright Ensler's global cause to halt violence against women.

The director, crew and actresses donate their time and efforts.

Experienced — and inexperienced — actresses (females or transgender females, only) of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are welcome to audition.

And good news for acting newbies, Dillman said, is that directors staging "Monologues" from February to April each year are allowed great flexibility by creator Ensler to vary the lines and number of characters cast in her play. 

In short: lots of ladies will get parts, big and small.

"(Director) Lisa really likes to cast as many people as possible," Dillman added.   

Next week's tryouts are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 3550 Bernal Ave. in Pleasanton's Vintage Hills Shopping Center.

Coffee Ali's owner donated the after-hours use of her shop for the two casting-call sessions, Dillman said. 

 Applicants should bring a current photo, plus prepare a one- to two-minute monologue (not from "Vagina," however) to read for director Cambra.

To schedule an audition, contact Dillman at (925) 667-2707, or email her at Christine@trivalleyhaven.org.

And if you're not the stage-siren type, Dillman recommends seeing the play, even if you're familiar with it. 

"A lot of people have seen 'The Vagina Monologues,' but haven't seen it this way," she said. "We try and make it different."

Tickets will be $25; $15 for students. 

For more information on Tri-Valley Haven's mission, homeless and battered-victims shelters and other services, click here.