Amanda Giles has been a longtime Yoni Activist and a wonderful supporter of V-Day. Her earthy Goddess energy, open heart and passion for womankind bring such a rich dynamic to V-Day 2014. We are so very happy to finally have her as part of our cast this year!

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“I’ve been involved in theater since high school when I was a killer stage manager. My back stage work continued into college when I did college shows at BU, and also worked with community theater groups such as Nashua Theater Guild and ActorSingers. I then went on a long hiatus and my only recent involvement has been as an audience member.”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

“My favorite shows ever to work on were when I stage managed Shakespeare in the Park in Nashua. The first time we went traditional and did Midsummer Night’s Dream (it was also the city’s first time). But the second year we did “Taming of the Shrew” in a western setting with some slight script modifications. I will always think of Baptista as “Big Daddy Baptista” and remember fondly the twangy pronunciation of “guitar” and how it was broken over Hortensio’s head.”

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“I have never performed in Vagina Monologues before, but I’ve been blessed to see at least 3 different productions of the show.”

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

“The message of V-Day has always resonated with me as very important as well as its community aspect. And I’ve loved the monologues ever since I saw the movie they made of Eve’s performance. I’ve often thought it would be great to perform in and I’m excited to be in this year’s production. I’ve also just always had a fondness for open talk about sexuality and I think this show helps promote that, especially for girls and women who have been afraid to talk of such things.”

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

“Definitely my mother Kim – she was a pull yourself up by the bootstraps kind of woman. She was the first person in her family to go to college and she got 3 degrees via night school (1 Bachelor’s and 2 Master’s) while working full time and raising me. She taught me that I had to be my own white knight and that life has to be fun. She passed away very young (50), but she touched and inspired myself and many others with her adventures, wit and antics.”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“I adore Ada Lovelace for not only being the first computer programmer, but for viewing it as a “poetical science”. I wrote code myself for a living and there is a poetry and elegance to code which I strive for myself. Two modern women who inspire me are Ani DiFranco and Amanda Palmer. Ani DiFranco proved you didn’t have to work within a system that didn’t support you, and that you could control the terms of your work and how it was released into the world. And Amanda Palmer took that to the next level by showing you could give away your music and just ask fans to contribute what they felt it was worth. Both woman unabashedly speak their mind and I love that about them.”