“The ForePlays,” a collection of student written short dramas, will bring awareness of sexually transmitted diseases to the Francis Marion University community.

Tracy Aniello, Manager of Health Services, came up with the idea for The ForePlays after attending The Vagina Monologues last year and is now a member of the informal committee.

“I thought why couldn’t we do something like this with students and have it in their words about their experiences,” Aniello said. “Maybe if students heard it from other students it would make it more real for them and help them realize that it can really happen to anyone.”

Dr. Jon Tuttle, professor of English and fellow member of The ForePlays committee said that he is hoping that the students submit some gutsy and surprising writing that they would not write for their classes.

“I want people just to write something that is shocking and fun and hopeful,” Tuttle said. “There are things going on in students’ lives that I don’t know about and here is their opportunity to say here’s how it is and here’s how it feels. They can be medical, they can be emotional, they can be a call for action; a call for understanding…anything goes.”

Regardless of his or her major, any student can submit a play. Tuttle, Aniello and associate professor of theatre arts, Dr. Dawn Larsen, will be available to provide information, direction and any other help students might need with their submissions.

The committee set up specific requirements for the plays: the works must be student-written, be about five minutes long and do not contain or perpetuate any false information. All the plays must be submitted by Thanksgiving Break.  Selected works will be performed by students during V-Week.

Even if students do not submit plays, Aniello said that it would still be helpful to the students to go watch the plays.

They will benefit by getting more information in a relaxed format,” Aniello said. “I think we’ve all gone through high school or different health courses where they put on the 1970’s film ‘This is a picture of this,’ and I think that’s boring and it turns people off. I want it to be fun and entertaining, but at the same time help them realize this could really happen to me if I don’t have safe sex.”

For more information on The ForePlays or for further information about submitting a play, contact Tuttle by e-mail at jtuttle@fmarion.edu or by stopping by his office, FH 146.