It often appears that every Notre Dame story fits a certain cookie-cutter, making it difficult to bring up unique or complex experiences. This weekend, a student-run production, Show Some Skin, gives voice to the marginalized in a series of compelling monologues, discussing controversial topics that are often forgotten or avoided on campus.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Show Some Skin is that the monologues are anonymously submitted by members of the Notre Dame and South Bend community. They are true stories from a variety of people with a wide range of attitudes who, though anonymous, demonstrate courage by submitting their stories. This past fall, the show's producers asked for members of the community to raise their voices so their truths would be heard.
The goal of Show Some Skin is to start a conversation, to crush an idealized perspective of our own community and realize that these issues are closer to home than we might realize. The series as a whole does not argue for one opinion or another. Instead the monologues relay a spectrum of thought-provoking experiences and perspectives. Co-sponsored by the Center for Social Concerns, this event serves the community by bringing to light the injustices that affect those around us. Some of the monologues may mimic your own experiences so closely you will fell like you could have written them yourself. Still others will be so shocking you will struggle to comprehend their proximity.
In 2012, Show Some Skin gained a reputation by addressing race issues. That year's production, entitled “The Race Monologues,” gave voice to issues of diversity, race and multiculturalism. In subsequent years, Show Some Skin has expanded its scope to discuss a wide range of topics such as mental illness, gender identity and sexuality.
After three years, the Show Some Skin team claims that they have barely scratched the surface. This year’s production, “Tell Me More," aims to dig even deeper to gain a better understanding of our complex realities. After months of receiving monologues and preparing performances, Tell Me More opened last night — to a sold-out audience — and performances will continue through the weekend.
Show Some Skin: "Tell Me More" takes place February 26-28 at 7 p.m. in the Carey Auditorium of the Hesburgh Library. Tickets will be sold outside the auditorium from 12:30-6:30 p.m. each day of the show, for $3 each.
