Aileen Duncan
Thrilled to be part of V-Day, she is studying International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa, and is a firm believer in the good of humanity. Her favourite role was the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Aileen enjoys music, Yoga, public transportation (unless they’re on strike), and, like any self-respecting female, chocolate. She dislikes overpriced coffee and waking up early. She would like to thank her family, friends, and castmates for their support and love.

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Diana Tseng
Diana is currently clerking (articling) with a Judge in Ottawa, and is working towards her call to the Bar as a lawyer in Ontario.  This is her first time as a Vaginista in Ottawa’s Vagina Monologues (TVM), but she has previously acted, and co-directed productions at her law school in Windsor, Ontario.  Diana also helped with a local production of TVM in Windhoek, Namibia, where she was interning for an NGO in 2007. By participating in TVM, Diana has been able to embrace herself, and to see her mother and grandmothers beyond their social roles, but as women in their own right. Most importantly, TVM is a medium to respect, honour and connect with the stories and lessons of all the women in her life – even women she’s never had the chance to meet.  
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 Arianna
Arianna has been caught up in the Vagina Monologues since the first time she saw them. She believes that the monologues are fantastic for trying to stop violence against women, a great way to express your-self, and that they project a positive message to the many people who come to see the Vagina Monologues. She hopes to be further involved in the V-Day efforts in the future.
      Arianna’s favourite activities are swimming, dancing, and singing. She is an artist and in her spare time loves painting, crafting, knitting, and sewing. She hopes to find a career that will benefit others and that she can put her heart into.
      This year Arianna is reading in the Vagina Monologues to be loud, angry, sad, happy, and generally just to express her-self! She hopes that along the way she is going to be able to help others.

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Kate Yeomans
 
Kate grew up as a proud 'Newfie' in Gambo, Newfoundland.  She comes from a big family, with 10 brothers and 3 sisters.  This may sound like a lot, but it gave her ample opportunity to practice the thing she was born to do:  be a Hair Stylist.
 She has been dubbed the "Hair Whisperer" by one of her high profile clients.  An award-winning hair stylist, she has the extraordinary ability to look at a woman's face, see the beauty within and then work her magic to bring that inner beauty out.
 She is very passionate about her craft, and has spent her professional life stoking that passion.  She finds it incredibly satisfying to be part of a woman's transformation, to see a woman look at herself in an entirely new way.  She makes women see that they can look beautiful, which in turn, makes them realize that they ARE beautiful.
 The time has come for her to experience a transformation for herself.  The Vagina Monologues is her own kind of beauty makeover.  She feels that it is time to break out of the "colour box", step outside of her comfort zone and really challenge her inner self.  To do something that makes her feel beautiful from the inside out.

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Caitlin Goyeau
 Sexuality is not discussed enough in our everyday life.  A person's quality of life can be affected by sexual experiences in life.  In my participation with the Vagina Monologues, I hope to build up my confidence in raising awareness about positive sexuality for women.  I look forward to developing relationships with fellow performers who value the importance of a woman's voice.  My aspiration in the Vagina Monologues, is in finding meaning in women's sexuality through mind, body and spiritual aspects.
 I am currently a nursing student here in Ottawa.  Upon graduation, I desire to work with vulnerable populations across the globe.  Thus, the Vagina Monologues will help in my communication with sexual health and marginalized women.  To hold a production to raise awareness on violence against women and create a favourable environment is an inspiration I am proud to be a part of!

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Val Hinsperger
Val has been committed to working with non-profit housing, women's health and the social services sector for over 25 years.  Her life is one that is dedicated to the celebration of family, the outdoors, work, mind, body, and delving into the unknown.  She thanks the playwright, Eve Ensler, the cast and crew of the Vagina Monologues for giving her a chance to contribute in the honouring of the female sexual story.  Her sons Nic and Dan and her husband Chris were a great help in getting ready for this acting debut.  "May we all continue to support the dance of knowing and loving ourselves completely, so that we may offer support to others should they need us."

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Michelle Lascelle
This is Michelle's first stage production since high school when she was in Theatre Arts, over 20 years ago.  Michelle finds that her voice is getting stronger as a woman, through being profiled in "The Faces of Wabano", as a woman's activist with the Native Women's Association's "Sisters in Spirit" project and the "Take Back the Night" vigil, and as a community Drum Carrier.  As a transgendered woman herself, Michelle is very proud to be playing a part in the monologue, "They Beat the Girl Out of the Boy".  She feels that as an unique, transgendered woman, Michelle is changing society's perceptions of gender roles.

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Emily O
A force to be reckoned with! Mother of two and a stand up comedian works for Stand Up for Mental Health,dabbling in spoken word and the owner of a fabulous cunt!

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Roberta Della-Picca
 In August 2002, Roberta started "her acting career" in the Wabano "The Stories are Our Teachers" and "Eagle Over the Moon" programs, doing Street Theatre and Playback Theatre.  It was magical;  she loved it!  What an outstanding method of introducing topics that are otherwise "too delicate to broach"...the healing reponses are indescribable. 
 Violence against women and girls is a subject very near and dear to Roberta's heart and therefore, she didn't hesitate when given the opportunity to participate in V-day Ottawa 2009 Vagina Monologues - an extremely powerful method of outreach/prevention/ awareness.
 She is greatly honoured, very appreciative and much more fulfilled by being a part of such an outstanding and phenomenal endeavour.  This year's performance is dedicated to the memory of Siobhan O'Meara.

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Monica Xuereb
Graduated from the Algonquin College Theatre Arts program Class of 2006. She has worked during a summer season the Upper Canada Playhouse and has worked as a volunteer for various shows. This is Monica's first baby-step to getting back into the acting world. She is thrilled to be part of 'The Vagina Monologues' and looks forward to the challenges and experiences that come with being part of a wonderful show. Monica would like to give a special thank you to her Mom, for thinking of her when reading about auditions for this show. Thanks for watching :)

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Larissa Joy Sherman
 Larissa is a Human Rights student at Carleton University.  Two of her passions include women's issues and the performing arts.  She has been part of many regional theatre companies/productions as well as a silver medalist in the Canadian National Improv Games.  Larissa teaches acting, musical theatre and art classes.  She is thrilled to be part of the 2010 production of The Vagina Monologues and to work with a group of such strong, compassionate women!  Larissa is embarking on a journey trying to blend humanitarian work with the arts and figured The Monologues were an excellent place to begin.  She envisions a future where women can embrace themselves and one another in a world where gender violence no longer exists. 

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Valerie Stam
This is Valerie’s first time on stage with the Vagina Monologues, and her first time on stage since high school. After being diagnosed with endometriosis and vulvodynia, and seeing her grandma fight ovarian cancer, she wanted to be involved with something that would promote women’s sexual health in a positive, fun way! Valerie is currently a community developer in Sandy Hill. She has worked in international development, women’s rights, peacebuilding, capacity building and social and political movements overseas in India, Senegal, and Ghana. In her free time, Valerie enjoys bollywood dancing, weaving, biking and writing. 

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Julia Cross
My name is Julia Cross and I ended up in the Ottawa Vagina Monologs because of a purely spontaneous decision. I happened to be in Jack Purcell Community Center when auditions were happening and I decided to try out for fun. The main reason I decided to follow through and participate in the Vagina Monologues though, is because women are Awesome! Even though I am a woman I still don’t really know that much about us, so this seems like a great way to learn more

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Manjit Basi
Manjit has been an integral member of Ottawa’s business community for over 20 years. Both professionally and personally, she thrives on supporting the success of others through team building and coaching. She has been an active and passionate volunteer for various organizations doing amazing work in the areas of domestic violence, youth poverty and engagement, community dialogue, and immigrant integration. She is honoured to collaborate and perform with powerful, confident women for V-Day Ottawa 2010. Her first experience of the monologues was in New Delhi and she was not only enamoured, but completely in awe of how the stories elicited such raucous laughter, deep sorrow, and fierce strength. Manjit thoroughly enjoys seeking experiences that are challenging and joyful.

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Katrina Siks
Squeezed out near Toronto, I’m here today because I love to talk truth.
Last summer I took my vagina to see the play Birth by Karen Broody. We were both saddened to hear true stories of women whose best interests were absorbed by the interests of the system… and surprised that I knew so little of the biological wisdom & tremendous transformation that my body, womb, vagina, are capable of.  Birth is frikking amazing.
Now, I’d likely be shocked to learn the extent of the unspeakable acts that are committed against women around the world. But I can imagine a world where we all know what we were capable of. Everyone, empowered with the knowledge of the effects of our actions, creating a path in our best interest and – imagine - inline with our values.
Let’s start by sharing stories, learning from each other, talking some truth!

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Annie Hillis
Annie is always open to new challenges so she’s happy to try her hand at acting for the first time! Born in Toronto and raised in Costa Rica, she has lived and worked in arts organizations in communities across Canada. Now in Ottawa since 2006, Annie is the Executive Director of the Wellington West Business Improvement Area. She is married and has 2 kids, a dog and a dove. She is thrilled to meet so many interesting women on this play!

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Karen McCarthy
Karen is thrilled to join the talented cast of this year’s production of Vagina Monologues. It is truly a privilege to be a part of such a vibrant and dynamic community working to stop violence against women and girls. Karen dedicates her performances to the young women in her life – her daughter Megan, Erin, Theodora, Rowan, Charlotte and Claudie-Jade. Karen has performed in several community theatrical productions, including the Tara Players production of Ballymore Reel in April 2009. She is currently studying with acting coach Tom Todoroff.

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Elaine Lund
Elaine is now twice as old as Jack Benny, V-day's resident crone. She's a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, grandmother to two beautiful, bright and talented grandchildren, a volunteer and support staff to a brown tabby named Daisy (not necessarily in that order). In her spare time, she makes and sells Grandma Jam to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation's AIDS grannies and Vday charities.
Her performance is dedicated to children -- all children.  Not only the loved and protected children of our families, but also the vulnerable, the victimized, the abused and abandoned.  Every kid deserves a safe and happy life.

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Maureen Walsh
 As a social worker (her first job), Maureen saw first-hand the impact of violence on women and children. One of eleven siblings (6 sisters) she celebrates the privilege of her special 'place' on this planet - as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a worker and a citizen of the world community! She joined Vagina Monologues to speak out loud and to encourage others, including her special male and female friends to always freely express their amazing personal power. Just like her wonderful new Vagina Monologues friends are doing!

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Sarah North
Sarah is a support worker at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa as well as a local women's shelter.  She believes that the Vagina Monologues can raise awareness about the severity of violence against women, as well as the patriarchal oppression which is perpetuated in our culture.  The Vagina Monologues acts as a means to bring women identified individuals together to not only heal, but to learn and laugh.

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Monique Andrews
Dr. Monique Andrews is a physician, educator and author.  This is her debut in The Vagina Monologues and first time ever performing on stage. Monique believes that gender is fluid...that within us, the dance between feminine and masculine is like water, free flowing and forever changing. She is excited by the idea that in life the possibilities are limitless. Monique is a lover of books, food, music, travel, cycling and all things woman.
Dr. Andrews holds a Masters degree in Neuroscience and is a Doctor of Natural Medicine and Chiropractor. As a founding Director of The Prana Group, she maintains a thriving practice in functional medicine where she defines her purpose as empowering people with a greater understanding of health, the human body & its expression.

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Lauryn Kronick
After seeing Geneva Carpenter and Sandra Oh scream Cunt! and talk lovingly about their down-theres on the National Arts Centre Stage, Lauryn became obsessed with vaginas. After participating in V-Day Montreal's production of The Vagina Monologues in 2008, she is ecstatic to be a part of V-Day Ottawa's cast. A busy community volunteer, Lauryn is currently working on the Dyke March Ottawa Committee and at Capital Pride as the Media Relations Coordinator. She enjoys retro dance parties, biking in vintage dresses and making guacamole.

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Siri Bandhu Khalsa
Siri Bandhu and Harimandir at http://www.OttawaWeddingsYOURWay.com officiate civil wedding ceremonies. Between them they have joined over 900 couples in matrimony! As well, Weddings YOUR Way as delivers amazing personalized photography and video stories for happy couples. 
Downtown Bed and Breakfast & Spa (Downtownbb.com) Ottawa’s only vegetarian BnB, ever, has been in successful operation for over 18 years! The world comes to us!
Siri Bandhu Registered Massage Therapist holds cranio-sacral therapy, deep tissue massage and natural skin beauty as her prime client focus. “I make people walk upright, who couldn’t walk when they crawled into the clinic." "The European Manual Facial will take at least 10 years off your face or clear your blemished skin, “a claim her expertise proves.
Siri Bandhu’s latest education is Threat Risk Assessment for business continuity and Critical Infrastructure Planning. She is an active member of DRIE, Disaster Recovery Information Exchange and worked on PC2, Pandemic Planning Committee, for the city of Ottawa.

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 Beth O'Connor
After walking into a Women's Studies classroom as an undergraduate student, Beth's way of being, seeing, thinking and feeling in the world changed forever. A proud feminist and former social worker/advocate for teen moms, Beth happily spends much of her time and energy thinking about/fighting for/learning from women. She hopes to spend her life contributing to the lofty -- but attainable -- goal
of eradicating violence and poverty in women's lives. Beth and her vagina are really excited to be part of this year's Ottawa production of the Vagina Monologues.  Having performed this same monologue last
year, Beth is finding it's just too tempting to keep delivering a sarcastic, angry feminist rant about "aaaaalll this shit" since it's really not that much of a stretch for her.  Beth dedicates her performance to every woman who has survived and continues to survive violence and abuse, and to the memory of those who have not.

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 Stephanie Palmer
Stephanie is so grateful and excited to be a part of VDAY2010! Originally from Orangeville Ontario, Stephanie ventured to Ottawa at the age of 18 to pursue her education at Carleton University. Graduating in 2007 with her B.A. in History, She rekindled her passion for theatre at Algonquin College’s Theatre Arts Program. Appearing in several performances including, Jehanne of the Witches, and This is a Play performed at Algonquin College, Flying Solo Monologue Night 2008 & 2009 held at the National Arts Centre’s 4th Stage. Stephanie also worked on several summer productions for Odyssey Theatre in 2008. Stephanie would like to thank her wonderful Mother for her constant support, and unconditional love. Also, to her amazing Husband, for his belief, continual encouragement and who always strives to make her vagina a happy one ;)

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Melisa Kamibayashi
In addition to acting, her past has seen her involved with Japanese drum performance, computer animation, television production, and filmmaking.
She believes that through the arts, we can gain a voice, unite and initiate change.
Go Vagina Monologues!
Her present work in the arts has brought her in touch with Canadians from Victoria to Iqaluit to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The talented women she has met throughout her travels continue to astound and inspire her. The women involved with the Vagina Monologues are no exception. They are truly remarkable.
She has been fortunate to have met her amazing soulmate Steph. They are expecting their first child this July. Yes, that is a baby bump!

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Stéphanie Plante
Stéphanie Plante was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and has lived in Switzerland, Vietnam, New Orleans, and now calls Ottawa home.  She has always wanted to get involved in The Vagina Monologues and only got the courage to audition after reaching her ‘dirty 30’ milestone back in July.  A huge fan of Ensler’s book, she is passionate about women’s issues around the world and was really moved by the “Born into Brothels” and “Man on Wire” documentaries to find out more information and take action. 
Along with her regular appearance at various dog parks around the city with her boxer Marlo, she is also involved in the OAC Racing Team, the Vanier Community Association and recently participated in the Canada Meets Germany Young Leaders Forum and has been married to Dave Moncur since 2007. 

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 Marie-Andree Auclair

I believe in serendipity,
That opportunity may well land on my lap;
I keep a list of “wishes that scare me”
Because not daring may be a trap.
So I said yes to the audition, yes to the part,
accepted the invitation with trepidation.
Being part of TVM is scary enough, it is also exhilarating,
And I discovered a diverse community of like minded-people,
sharing the hope to make a difference.
The energy of the group is amazing!
And I am enjoying this experience immensely.

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 Julie Westeinde
Julie's heart was broken open in her work as a facilitator related to ending violence against women, rape camps in Bosnia, peacekeeping, and human rights. She was stunned by the degree of intentional design of unimaginable sexual violence as a strategy of war, and felt called to share a Bosnian woman's war story of rape for her Vagina Monologue Debut. Julie is committed to prevention of gender violence sourced in growing awareness and education of the connection between the beauty of women's spirit, voices, and sexuality to the wellbeing of all human beings, male and female. Participating in the Vagina Monologues is another step in her dance of embodying the joy, radiance, and beauty of the feminine, in balance with the masculine in service of love. Thank you to all those who inspire and love me to be as a woman in this world creating with a voice and choice and joy and to the creative genius of Eve Einsler

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Melissa Penasse

I grew up on a native reserve and am proud to be a Anishnabe Women. I'm really glad to be participating in V-Day Ottawa. I am also looking forward to be playing a part in the Vagina Monologues, which I am very happy to be taking part in such a important message for violence against women.

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