V-Day Studio City Presents Their Sixth Annual Production of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at The Federal Bar, NoHo, For Two Nights Only, Friday and Saturday, April 3-4. Proceeds Benefit Peace Over Violence, Helping To End All Forms of Interpersonal Violence

Festivities take place for Two Nights Only, Friday and Saturday, April 3rd & 4th, at The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. This stylish nightclub, in a classic early-20th-century bank building, has a charming cozy ambience, perfect for delighting in fabulous fare, while enjoying superb entertainment.

Showtimes are 8:00 pm. Doors open for dinner and drinks at 7pm. Seating is on a first come first served basis. Check out the eclectic menu at www.thefederalbar.com. Feel free to stay for the after party, immediately following, with smokin’ hot DJ’s spinnin’ rockin’ tunes for dancin’ and romancin’ the night away.

The Pleasure Chest continues their tradition of sponsoring and donating gift bags to be raffled. Chocolate Vagina Lollipops are also a favorite crowd pleaser. The ‘fake orgasm contest,’ which always brings the audience to their feet in laughter, is a highlight of the evening. The winners receive exciting erotic prizes.

Grab your sweetheart, bff, or venture out solo for a moving experience that will motivate, transform, and empower you in positive ways, continuing in full force for many moons to come.

Tickets are $20 cash at the door; by Email at maxie.solters@gmail.com to reserve with a credit card; or go to ticketweb.com. They will sell out!

The Vagina Monologues (TVM) is a provocative, stimulating, poignant play depicting true stories about women’s attempts to overcome society’s stigmas through embracing and celebrating their sexuality.

As with every presentation of these hysterical, eye opening, and heart-wrenching pieces, profits are dispersed to Peace Over Violence, a local social service agency committed to eliminating all forms of sexual, domestic, and interpersonal violence through education and awareness. For further details, visit www.peaceoverviolence.org

Maxie Solters produces for the sixth consecutive year. She co-stars with Heldine Aguiluz (director), Allie Altschuler (assistant coordinator), Michelle Appezzato, Lauren Rodriguez, Nan Savage, Gena Shaw, and Emily Short.

The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews of over 200 women. With humor and grace, the piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength. Through the liberation of this one word, countless women around the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than sixteen years, TVM has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.

Solter’s involvement with TVM has transformed her life in countless ways. She looks forward to spending the season with inspiring, courageous, beautiful women and performing in this spectacular show. “It’s much more than a series of monologues…it’s a monumental movement.”

According to Maxie, one of the most rewarding parts of TVM, is seeing the reaction of the audience. “They’re often compelled to speak up about their experiences, graciously expressing gratitude for the fearlessness of the actors.”

Maxie maintains, “If I can make a difference for just one person, then all the hard work is worth it. Change in the world has to start with individuals…men, women, and children...only then can we truly stop the violence.”

For Solters, the significance of TVM is in teaching us that we “DESERVE to be treated with kindness, respect and love.” She notes: “Don’t be afraid to stand up for your rights and what you believe in. Don’t let people belittle you or say you aren’t valuable or worthy.”

Maxie’s particular monologue, ‘My Short Skirt,’ is compelling because it suggests the importance of being able to wear and do whatever we want without apprehension of assault.

Solters is passionate about this profound message. “I should NOT have to worry about going to a party and getting drugged. I should NOT have to be on high alert while walking my dog down the street at night. I should NOT have to be afraid to go on a date with someone because they might rape me.”

“I should be able to drink alcohol and literally lie on the ground naked at a gathering without anyone touching me. I would expect that no one would take advantage of me. Unfortunately, that isn’t the society we live in yet. We are getting there...but it will take continuous determination and persistent efforts.”

Maxie graduated from the USC School of Theatre and is presently working as an actor/producer/content creator. Her most recent endeavor is the web-series she created, produced, and stars in: Good Vibrations.

“It’s a provocative comedy about a sex therapist who enhances her clients’ sexual energy through wacky and unconventional methods (mostly involving vibrators). I’m currently in negotiations with various companies for distribution.” You can find more info at: www.facebook.com/goodvibrationsseries www.twitter.com/GoodVibesSeries.

Heldine Aguiluz credits V-Day and TVM for the discovery she’s not alone as a sexual abuse survivor. “I’ve found a community where I can share my untold experiences and feelings.

”She avows that TVM gives a voice to other women who have not yet spoken and fortitude to free themselves by being heard.

After receiving a BA in Theatre at USC, Heldine wrote a solo performance about her journey to self-love, titled “Daze of My Life,” which she’s taken to the Hollywood Fringe Festival, LA Women’s Theatre Festival, and NYC United Solo Theatre Festival.

Heldine recommends aspiring actors “find your reason for acting, and let that guide you. Every experience is a lesson. Never settle…if the project presented does not align with your values, let it go and move on.”

Allie Altschuler, an original member of V-Day Studio City, is performing ‘Reclaiming Cunt’ for the first time. She fell in love with the piece, while directing last season and considers it “such an obvious choice for me as a writer, feminist, and guttermouth.”

“I’ve always contended that words themselves are meaningless, only holding the significance we assign them. Yet, I STILL had a tendency to recoil when saying ‘cunt.’

Allie asks that people attending “let go of their preconceptions and just listen to every part of the word and the beautiful whole it composes.”

“The monologue is almost twenty years old now, and audiences are still shocked every time they hear ‘cunt.’. I’m really looking forward to trying to win the crowd over, and getting them to loosen up about language.”

Altschuler is excited to return to the Federal for the second consecutive year. “The beauty of the location is that it reflects our approach towards the material: It’s become a celebration!”

They’re providing a massive Vagina party with dinner/drinks before, and dancing/drinks afterwards. “Our partnership with The Federal has created an amazing vibe. We’re super grateful to them for trusting us the way they do.”

For Michelle Appezzato, longtime participation in V-Day Studio City, “has been a beacon of light in my life.” When she originally got involved with TVM at USC, Michelle was emotionally very vulnerable. “As a survivor, it took me years to accept that what had transpired at the age of seventeen was NOT my fault.”

Michelle has acquired the moxie and vigor to reveal her truth without hesitation or fear. “I have grown immeasurably in my self confidence and feel strongly about exposing my experience to everyone put in a similar situation where they’re left powerless.”

“Each monologue is an important scenario to share with the world. As long as I’m on this earth, I believe it’s my duty to disclose these stories and messages from real women who have moved from a place of pain to a place of power.”

Appezzato is overwhelmingly excited and proud to celebrate V-Day Studio City’s 6th year anniversary. Each season, “we have an amazing group of women who are touched and inspired. New faces and old faces coming together is what makes this an exceptionally unique chapter.”

Michelle recently moved out of state and “the ONLY thing that made me not want to relocate was leaving this incredible group of women and performing in TVM. Luckily I didn’t have to leave it behind, despite my four to five hour commute. Talk about love and dedication!

Lauren Rodriguez is enamored with the entire V-Day movement. As a survivor of sexual assault, it’s been a “huge part of my healing process.” She believes that survivors of abuse (both male and female) are relieved after seeing TVM.

For Lauren, the message of TVM is “You’re Not Alone! We’re all in this together and need to fight to protect and save lives-not through silence, but through action.”

Rodriguez identifies with her monologue in that it’s about being comfortable with yourself, i.e. your vagina. “Growing up in the south, you don’t really talk about your ‘down theres’ too much.”

As a result, Lauren grew up very self conscious in intimate situations. However, her “most recent partner (and this show!) turned a switch on and helped me to learn to love and be open and carefree in my body.”

Rodriguez contends, “It means so much to open myself up, educating and helping others through our work with V-Day.”

Gena Shaw, a NYC/NJ transplant, has guest starred on Revenge, Granite Flats, Vampire Diaries, and appeared in over 35 national commercials. She’s currently gearing up to direct her first feature film.

Participating in TVM reminds Gena of when it originally aired on HBO. “I saw Eve on a stool telling these stories, using the word vagina A LOT.”

Shaw didn’t comprehend the whole concept until “I started to think differently about myself, my body and eventually, what it means to be a woman.”

Gena’s advice for aspiring actors:
“If you truly love performing, find a way to do it... but remember, it’s also a business.
-Treat the crew with respect. They work their asses off.
-Don’t be afraid to leave town and see your family/friends. Missing an audition will happen. You’ll live.
-If you’re going to sign your name on a contract/agreement, READ it. Know what you’re signing.
-If you don’t want to do nudity or some other thing in a role, stand by it. Own it. It’s your image. Your career. Your decision.”