"It covers Greek life in a huge way, gender identity and gender relations, sexual assault, hazing," Monahon said. "In terms of the title, the nature of fun, how we have fun here, what we do for that and when does it stop being fun and start being something else."
"All In Good Fun" compiles 32 anonymous monologues taken from interviews with students, faculty and alumni. Monahon looked to various social circles for voices that are often not heard in debates about Dartmouth's social scene.
"I wanted to represent different perspectives," Monahon said. "I didn't want to hear necessarily from the people we always talking about these issues, and I didn't want to hear from all one group on campus."
Monahon first became interested in monologue-focused performance in high school, after her theater director introduced her to playwright and actress Anna Deavere Smith, who works in investigative, political theater. During her freshman fall, Monahon made an abridged version of what became "All In Good Fun" for a final project.
Monahon knew she wanted to return to the topic and create a larger play.
Monahon has faced difficulties with the subject matter of the piece and the stamina required to be on stage alone, performing for just over an hour.
"I went in not really knowing if I had the skill set to do something like this," Monahon said. "There's definitely been a lot of fear of offending people and inciting controversy and not being able to act it, not being able to sustain vocally and physically. It's more draining than I thought it would be."
Many of the people who have worked with Monahon applaud her ability to achieve so much with this piece.
"To do an hour's worth of material as an actor is a significant accomplishment," said Jamie Horton, Monahon's theater department advisor. "To play 32 characters takes that accomplishment to a whole new level, and to treat each character with respect, whether or not you agree with what they have to say, is another step up on the level of difficulty. She's managed to accomplish all of that."
Monahon has largely been working on her own for her fellowship, which brought along even more challenges.
"It's so hard to be a solo creator of everything in addition to being a solo performer," show director Marina McClure '04 said. "She's the writer, she's also the director in a way, she's the shaper, the author of this piece and the performer. That's a lot to carry in your brain."
The play may prove to be an eye-opening experience for the audience. Many of the ideas expressed in the play are not the views usually heard when discussing hazing, sexual assault and other related issues on campus.
Those interviewed spoke more honestly and candidly in the context of anonymity, Monahon said. She hopes that audience members are able to keep an open mind during the play and listen to the ideas.
Men's and Women's Forum will help facilitate talk-backs after each show to allow audience members to discuss the topics addressed.
"There have been a lot of discussions, forums and newspaper articles about these issues, especially now, and I'm hoping that the play can create an alternative forum for thought and for discussion," Monahon said.
The play presents an important opportunity for students and faculty to reflect upon their own views of Greek life and gender norms.
"Those who come are going to see some sort of mirror," Horton said. "They will see themselves in part in a variety of these interviews. That will be a pleasure, and it will also be uncomfortable in places, but I think they can take away from this piece a work of real consequence."
"All In Good Fun" will be performed Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.
