“The Vagina Monologues” has come a long way since its debut in 1996, with performances popping up at universities across the nation in celebration of V-Day, a global campaign to stop domestic violence against women.

This weekend Eve Ensler’s play about the female reproductive system hits Ohio State campus.

“We’re not just doing this as a performance. It’s about ending the violence, and raising awareness, and both men and women should help contribute,” said Patty Cunningham, a master’s student in education who will be performing an original piece in the play.

Cunningham’s piece, titled “Coochie Skirt Alert,” reflects on pop-culture, and short skirts.

“My piece is about more than being a woman, it’s also about being African-American,” she said. “I wanted to write about life experiences in a comical way, and something that people can really identify with.”

During the performance Cunningham will be passing out anti-coochie skirt buttons.

Nicky Smolter, a senior in criminology and women’s studies, is the co-founder of OSU’s V-Day student organization, and will act as director and narrator in “The Vagina Monologues.”

“This is our fourth year doing the play, and every year it has been a bigger success,” Smolter said.

“To be a part of it is very empowering,” she said. “It brings up issues that don’t necessarily occur to everyone, especially if you’re not involved in women’s or African-American studies.”

Most guys walk away with a new found knowledge and respect for women, and regardless of the “vagina,” the script is fun and entertaining, Smolter said.

“The first time I saw “The Vagina Monologues” was with five guys,” said producer and performer Abby Kinsler, junior in philosophy and German. “They absolutely loved it … it’s not about man bashing, and if you have a sense of humor you’ll enjoy it.”

The two-hour-and-30-minute performance will host readings from 25-30 female OSU students, five of which will perform original pieces. The original script by Ensler is based on interviews with over 200 women and their experiences with sexual struggles and self-discovery, and has been translated into 24 different languages.

The proceeds from this years show will be donated to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, an nonprofit organization that has served and educated battered women and children since 1989. It continues to coordinate services to boost the public’s understanding of domestic violence.

“After all of the money has been raised for the production and advertising, we take the proceeds from the show and donate them to charity,” Cunningham said.

This event is hosted by the OSU’s Rape and Education Prevention program. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 general admission.

Show times are 7:30 p.m., March 4 (sold out) and 5; and 2:00 p.m. March 6, in the Bowen Theater of the Drake Union.