Washington University students modernized the 1994 episodic classic The Vagina Monologues last week to include gender fluid audiences Students at Washington University have omitted the word 'vagina' from their production of the 'The Vagina Monologues' to be more inclusive of LGBT+ audience members. Stating that 'having a vagina and being a woman are not mutually exclusive', the students have instead renamed the show 'The [Blank] Monologues', hoping to broaden the show's politicized messages of sex, relationships and domestic violence, to transgender audiences. 20 different performers - consisting of students, staff and members of the local community - took to the stage to share experiences of sexuality, body image, and other themes in the school's Student Center Ballroom, on February 15 and 16. The contemporary take on the classic 1994 episodic play included performances from the original script, and eight original monologues written by Washington students. The School's new take on The Vagina Monologue included excerpts from Eve Ensler's (above) and eight original monologues written by college students (pictured: Eve Ensler and Salma Hajek during 'Vagina Monologues' V-Day Benefit Production, in Mexico City, May 9, 2006) Washington University (pictured) has followed the lead of a number of other Universities across the country, who have sought to prevent the show's political themes from being diluted 'In adapting this show to become more gender inclusive, this year’s audience members, regardless of how they identified, were able to more strongly connect with the impactful monologues,' the school said in its student newspaper. 'This move was deliberate and effective, as more students than ever felt deeply affected by the words spoken,' the article continued. Washington University has followed the lead of a number of other colleges around the country, who have sought to realign the messages of Eve Ensler's original manuscript. At Whitman College, in 2015, students renamed their performance 'Ground Breaking Monologues', and the same year students at Southwestern University canceled their show all together, believing it wouldn't be inclusive to all women because it was written by a white woman. 'The Vagina Monologues never intended to be a play about what it means to be a woman,' said author Eve Ensler to Time Magazine, in 2015. 'It is and always has been a play about what it means to have a vagina. In the play, I never defined a woman as a person with a vagina.' Originally performed as a one-woman show in New York, 1994, Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues was heralded as 'one of the most important pieces of political theater', by the New York Times (pictured: Even Ensler in 2008) Believing 'having a vagina and being a woman' to not be mutually exclusive terms, Washington University say. Their modern approach was a resounding success with their audiences (Michelle Williams and Jackie Reid during The Vagina Monologues - V Day Harlem Opening Night, 2006) First performed in New York in 1994, Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues' script was comprised from more than 200 interviews with women who had been victims of rape and abuse, in a bid to open new lines of conversation about and with women - particularly where social stigmas were concerned. The show ran for over five years off-Broadway, and was called 'the most important piece of political theater of the last decade,' by the New York Times. But hoping to prevent its themes from being diluted, sophomore Ava Hansen believes the University's renovation was necessary - and worthwhile. 'I think ‘[Blank] Monologues’ is important because it brings awareness to so many different topics that are often overlooked in day-to-day conversations,' said Hansen. 'Within just two hours, ‘[Blank] Monologues’ was able to create an environment where experiences surrounding sexuality, body image and vaginas could be freely discussed without judgement.' The original play's script was comprised from more than 200 interviews with women who had been victims of rape and abuse, in a bid to open new lines of conversation about and with women (Miri Ben Ari,Zoe Saldana and Jackie Reid during The Vagina Monologues, V Day Harlem Opening Night 2006) Echoing the teenager's sentiments, in their news release, the school added: 'What makes “[Blank] Monologues” so meaningful is that it’s presented for Washington University students, by Washington University students. 'Having a vagina and being a woman are not mutually exclusive, and lessons learned during the performance are important for everyone, no matter their gender identity.' The production was free to attend, but any donations were given to the Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG), a nonprofit that works to build an inclusive community for trans, genderqueer, androgynous, intersex and allies in the St. Louis area.All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility