“The Vagina Monologues” is a 1996 play written by Eve Ensler composed of a series of monologues that reflect the female experience. The monologues were originally intended to encourage an open discussion about the issues women face.

Now, 20 years after the show made its national debut, City College student Krista Bautista will perform one of the monologues during two February performances of the V-Day Sacramento production.

V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women through many events, including fundraising performances of “The Vagina Monologues.” — Sacramento’s performances take place on Feb. 14 and Feb. 20.

“We all have our own stories to tell, and I think the monologues do a great job of giving us a snippet of different people’s perspectives,” says Bautista, 28, who will be performing in the play at two venues, the 24th Street Theatre and the Crest Theatre. “As soon as I found out what ‘The Vagina Monologues’ was about, what V-Day was about, I couldn’t not join.”

Bautista won’t reveal what monologue she’ll be performing, but she says the show’s directors, Lisa Johnson and Melina del Buono, tried to make a good match.

“Our director[s] cast people specifically for the monologues based on our auditions,” says Bautista. “They hand picked us to embody whatever monologue they chose for us. It will be a fantastic show, I will say that.”

Bautista says she believes that “The Vagina Monologues” is still relevant today.

“Not everyone knows that it’s okay to feel comfortable in your own skin,” says Bautista. “I feel like not only does ‘The Vagina Monologues’ bring awareness to people’s need and right to feel comfortable in their own skin—specifically women—but it also brings awareness to the different thought processes that go on with what it’s like to be a woman, and what struggles we go through.”

Ensler’s play paved the way for the global movement known as V-Day. Activists all over the world perform royalty-free productions of “The Vagina Monologues” on the condition that 100 percent of proceeds go to programs that strive to end violence against women and children.

“I had to be a part of it,” says Bautista, “I personally have endured, I’ve dealt with sexual assault. I’ve dealt with those issues that we’re raising funds to end.”

Three Sacramento groups have received donations from V-Day: the Gender Health Center, Community Against Sexual Harm, and Sacramento Women Take Back the Night. These organizations aid Sacramento residents with affordable counseling and other assistance. Bautista says that these programs help people who wouldn’t otherwise receive help.

“I want to do as much to raise funds for V-Day, so that we can assist women that also have been raped or gone through sexual assault and genital mutilation,” Bautista says.

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But Bautista acknowledges that despite progress made by movements like V-Day, some still resist progress. There are still anonymous platforms for those who resent women’s rights to spread their message.

“You see people posting rape threats [online],” says Bautista. “It’s prevalent, it’s everywhere, and just because we can’t see it in the streets, [it] doesn’t mean it’s not a mentality.”

Bautista says she is deeply concerned about the issues that face women today, and others share her sentiments. Some of Bautista’s City College peers agree.

According to Allyssa Galloway, sociology major, underrepresentation in the workplace is an important issue facing women today.

“You can’t be what you don’t see,” said Galloway. “Since there’s not a lot of women in higher jobs, those opportunities aren’t created for younger women.”

Art can make a difference when it comes to such topics. Former City College student Jonathan Taylor says that performance art has its place in the conversation.

“There definitely still are issues with women’s rights,” says Taylor. “Theater and art is definitely a way that people express political statements.”

Bautista says she believes that it is also important to spread the message beyond the theater.

“Bring up discussions about what is sexual assault [and] why is it still happening?” Bautista says. “[We have to] really, really critically think about the issues that affect us as a society, and try to think about what can we do to end this.”

Over the years, countless women have worked producing, creating and performing in “The Vagina Monologues,” and Bautista says she takes motivation from them.

“It’s a great honor,” says Bautista. “I feel extremely transformed by this entire process in the most positive way.”

Performances of “The Vagina Monologues” are Feb. 14 at the 24th Street Theatre and Feb. 20 at the Crest Theatre. Tickets are $20, and are available at the Crest Theatre Box Office or online at www.vdaysacramento.org.