AUBURN — A special 12th edition of “The Vagina Monologues” will be staged at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the First Universalist Church of Auburn, 169 Pleasant St.

The performance is by V-Day aUbUrn 2019.

V-Day, Feb. 14, is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. It was started by author, playwright and activist Eve Ensler, who wrote “The Vagina Monologues.” It has been coordinated by a 501(c)(3) organization since 1998, which allows royalty-free performances to be held for charity.

In addition to the core monologues, V-Day 2019 exposes the direct connection between domestic violence and incarceration. In the U.S., 86 percent of women in prison were sexually and/or physically abused prior to incarceration, as reported by The Vera Institute for Justice in 2017. In the aftermath of abuse, trauma can lead to substance abuse and addiction, which can easily become a pathway to more violence, crime and/or incarceration.

“V-Day has always given us a new piece on that year’s theme,” producer Toby Haber-Giasson said. “This year, they challenged us to lift up local voices and develop our own monologues.”

Accordingly, the show will feature powerful testimonies from a formerly incarcerated woman, and a local advocate.

This year’s show is dedicated to the late Melissa Stevens, a true “vagina warrior” who appeared in five V-Days. V-Day will honor her in words and pictures.

Dawn Sullivan will direct the show. The cast includes Flor Amaya-Soto, Lacey Barcelou, Sara Camoli, Caitlin Cashman, Tammy Elwell, Ria Ferris, Marie Galonski, Pat Gardiner, Steph Hughes, Sara Karam, Missy Kettell, Becca Lynch, Bets Mallette, Rita Moran, Robin Morrison, Klara Tammany, Ashley Thibodeau, Dani Woodbury.

Proceeds will benefit the Center for Wisdom’s Women, Safe Voices, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, Immigrant Resource Center, the YWCA, and First Universalist Church of Auburn.

Tickets are $7 to $10 at the door.

For more information, call 207-783-0461 or visit auburnuu.org.