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Maxie Solters Brings 'Vagina Monologues' From USC to Her Hometown of Studio City

'It's a movement,' says Solters of the play she is bringing to the local Two Roads Theatre as part of V-Day Studio City.

USC School of Theater alum Maxie Solters, who was born and raised in Studio City, said she is proud to present The Vagina Monologues this weekend at the Two Roads Theatre in Tujunga Village as part of V-Day Studio City, which she founded last year.

The play, by Eve Ensler, is based on her interviews with 200 women concerning their sexuality. The pieces are equally thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, humorous and entertaining.

V-Day is Ensler’s international organization, dedicated to ending violence and abuse against women, through awareness, education and empowerment. The V stands for victory, valentine, and vagina. Each year during this time, over 250 productions of The Vagina Monologues occur worldwide, to raise funds, “until the violence stops.”

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Solters said that V-Day/The Vagina Monologues has become a huge passion of hers since she was first introduced to it in 2005 during her freshman year at USC.

Today, she can’t imagine her life without it, and looks forward to every V-Season. She’s honored to be a "Vagina Warrior," carrying the message of hope to everyone in her own community.

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The Vagina Monologues is not just a play,” Solters said, “it’s a movement celebrating the personal freedom to be a sexual being.” She’s grateful for the opportunity to help women break free of the silence, giving them a voice to speak about issues they normally wouldn’t be able to.

Solters recruited five other USC V-Day veterans to join her in bringing The Vagina Monologues to Studio City: actresses Allie Altschuler, Michelle Appezzato, Chelsea Mallon, Brittney Matthews and Sarah Newswanger. Solters described the women as “the most selfless, talented, motivated and courageous people,” she’s ever met. “They make me want to be and do the best I can.”

This year’s simplified version of the play goes back to basics by incorporating the same format Ensler originally used in Chicago. For that purpose, Solters enlisted director Amy Rowell, who participated in those early performances, in which actors sat in chairs, used note cards, wore all black and were barefoot.

Ensler’s vision was to keep the focus on the women’s compelling true stories, rather than on the actors. She wanted the audience to listen deeply and really hear the poignant, heartfelt, inspirational and humorous words.

Solters has chosen the local nonprofit Peace Over Violence as the 2011 beneficiary, because of its highly regarded commitment to ending domestic violence.

Performances are Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City.

V-Day Studio City 2011 T-shirts and chocolate lollipops will be sold. Fun Factory and Pleasure Chest vibrators will be raffled. There’ll be a special "fake orgasm contest" with prizes.

Tickets, which can be purchased at Ticketmaster, cost $20; $15 for students. For more information contact maxie.solters@gmail.com.

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