“The V in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina.”

The Woman’s Rights Alliance is hosting a two-night performance of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and a Prayer: Writings To Stop Violence Against Women and Girls (MMRP) at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Cavan Auditorium. Tickets are $5.

“I think people don’t really think sexual violence is that big of an issue or that it doesn’t affect them, that it’s a far away thing,” said Megan Woiwode, play co-director and senior political science major.

V-Day is an international activist movement concentrated on the eradication of violence against women and girls. Started in 1998, V-Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds through creative and communicative means. The actual V-Day is Feb. 14, but related events can run from then until the end of April. V-Day NIU chose to have the play performed in April in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

V-Day NIU has been donating the proceeds to its events to Safe Passage, a community center that provides services and outreach programs to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, every year since events have been held.

“Safe Passage is DeKalb County’s only shelter of its kind, and we wanted to keep it local,” Woiwode said.

In the past, V-Day NIU has performed The Vagina Monologues but two years ago decided to switch to MMRP.

“We like this show, because you can include men, and there’s a better variety,” Woiwode said. “It’s more suited to your audience. This is an issue that doesn’t just affect women.”

For those familiar with The Vagina Monologues, MMRP has a similar structure. The show is composed of a collection of pieces performed by the actors without scenery or costuming. The words, written by acclaimed authors and playwrights, are to be the focus of the show.

“Some are about growing up in an abusive household, or how smaller acts of violence affect your life overall,” Woiwode said. “Some of the pieces are about very hard, intense types of violence.”

Woiwode said that there will also be some lighthearted stories shared this weekend.

“I think they do a really good job with a mix,” she said. “It’s very complimentary.”

The cast is composed almost entirely of students, but it is not exclusive. One member is an NIU alumna who works with Safe Passage. Another is a community member heavily involved in activism at NIU; her daughters, who are in 2nd and 4th grade, are a part of the show, as well. This is the first year children are in the cast, Woiwode said.

Woiwode emphasized the accessibility and communal importance of the show.

“It’s a call to action. The stories, I think, are very genuine. It makes people want to act and do something about it,” Woiwode said.