Two months after a proposal to bring "The Vagina Monologues" to campus was turned down by the administration, students have found an off-campus venue for the controversial play about female sexuality.

The performance, which is sponsored by Jesuit University Students Together in Concerned Empowerment, will be performed April 27-29 at the Brumder Mansion, 3046 W. Wisconsin Ave., starting at 7:30 p.m.

The university, in turning down the play, had suggested through Vice President of Student Affairs the Rev. Andy Thon that there were better ways to address the issues of sexual violence and oppression than by bringing it to campus. Thon also suggested that the time frame between when the group submitted its proposal and when it wanted to bring the play to campus was too short.

The Cardinal Newman Society, a Manassas, Va.-based organization that describes itself as "dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity at Catholic colleges and universities in the United States" on its Web site, also objected to the play, saying the play's approach to sexuality contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Brigid O'Brien Miller, director of university communication, said the university had no comment on the performance because it is not being shown on campus.

"Students who are interested in seeing the play will now have the opportunity," said Dominique George, co-chair of JUSTICE and a senior in the College of Engineering. "The play is very powerful and will hopefully open up more of a discussion on campus about sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence."

"Students will have a venue in which to explore important questions of femininity and gender issues," said Brent Bray, diversity commissioner for Marquette Student Government and a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. "In several of these monologues it presents women sharing their stories, unfiltered. This is valuable because we cannot afford to ignore these events. These are real people and what has gone on in their lives is essential to understanding who we all are."

Though the performances are not being held on campus, those involved with them said they believe it is important for students to hear the message that "Monologues" has to offer.

"Performing 'The Vagina Monologues' off-campus is not meant to be a mean-spirited attack on Marquette's administration for not allowing the performance," said Dorota Pruski, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and JUSTICE member who was involved in trying to bring the performance to campus.

"It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we will perform the piece elsewhere because we recognize its power and importance," Pruski said. "My hope is that the performance will affect students just as any 'Vagina Monologues' production would, regardless of where it is performed and by whom."

George, however, is still frustrated with the fact the monologues are not being performed on campus.

"Having a space to perform it is good, but it does not lessen my frustration with the university," George said. "Students have the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech. For individuals, that right trumps the university's censorship.

"Part of the reason for having the play on campus is to bring to light the problems surrounding sexual violence that exists on all college campuses. Being forced to do the play off-campus does not change that fact in any way."

According to Brigid O'Brien Miller, director of university communication, the university has no comment on the performance because it is not being shown on campus.

There will be a suggested donation of $10 for the performances, which will go toward sexual violence prevention, education and survivor programs on campus. All performances will be followed by a discussion. Phone reservations can be made by calling (414) 342-1703.