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CORVALLIS - Auditions are set for Nov. 17-18 for a repeat performance of Eve Ensler's stage show "Vagina Monologues" at Oregon State University.

Auditions will be held in OSU Student Health Services, Room 322A-B, at 6 p.m. each night. Callbacks will be held at the same time and location on Nov. 19.

The show features women presenting selections from Eve Ensler's work. The production will be staged on Feb. 12, 14 and 15. This is the university's fifth annual production of the monologues.

The performance is focused on ending violence against women and proclaiming Valentine's Day as a day to celebrate women. Author Ensler conceived the idea as she completed and reviewed 200 interviews with women talking about intimate issues of female sexuality. She used the interviews to produce her work as a one-woman New York stage show in 1996. Later, her work became part of a nationwide "V-Day" initiative to celebrate women.

At OSU, a number of different people from campus, as well as the community-at-large, will be sought to present selections from Ensler's work.

The production is directed by Kimberly Gifford and Elle Poindexter, both artistic directors of Thriving Theatre, a Corvallis-based theater production company.

The first V-Day was staged in New York on Valentine's Day, 1998, starring a number of celebrities, including Winona Ryder, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn, Calista Flockhart, Rosie Perez, Susan Sarandon and Lily Tomlin. Each of the women performed excerpts from Ensler's work.

Some people may find the subject matter objectionable, said David Visiko, a health educator with OSU's Student Health Services, but Visiko says bringing the issues into the open is an important step.

"The more we can come together on these issues, the better it will be for everyone," he said. "I think this will be a wonderful opportunity to bring forth a subject that isn't talked about all that much."

For information, contact Visiko at 737-7555.