By Jessica Roxburgh
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — A play created by a member of a Minnesota theater company aims to be an alternative to “The Vagina Monologues,” a popular campus play but one that is often criticized for its sexual explicitness.

Jeremy Stanbary of Epiphany Studio Productions says his play, “The Vitae Monologues,” portrays stories of hope and healing from women who have suffered from the psychological and physical effects of abortion.

Sarah Preissner and Stanbary star in the one-act play designed for performance particularly on college campuses or at high schools.

“These personal and very real testimonies are unfortunately often dismissed by the secular, medical community,” said Stanbary.

“The Vitae Monologues” or “The Mono-logues of Life” opens with a scene in a therapist’s office, where several people talk about seemingly unrelated problems they’re having in their lives. Each one has experienced trauma in the aftermath of an abortion.

“Oftentimes symptoms don’t appear until years later,” Stanbary said. “Since Roe v. Wade, women have been repressed and ignored, but we’re seeing an influx of women coming forth, telling their stories of post-abortion syndrome — understanding that they are not alone.

“This play gives women a voice within our culture and their stories need to be told,” he added. “The greatest deception is that abortion is good for women and helps women.”

The play tells the stories of women who “bought into this idea that abortion would take away their problems,” said Stanbary.

“We touch on many of these problems in the play such as feelings of overwhelming grief, nightmares and thoughts of suicide.”

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