WSU will host its first production of Eve Ensler 's infamous “The Vagina Monologues” this weekend.

WSU student Heather Ratz is directing the performance, which takes place Feb. 20-22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

The play is a small part of the annual V-Day celebration. According to the organization's Web site, www.vday.org, the “V” in V-Day stands for "Vagina, Valentine and Victory.”

V-Day is celebrated with performances of the play to benefit the organization, which uses the proceeds to help community programs that support the victims of physical violence against women.

The play, which is composed as a series of personal monologues, was originally written and researched by Eve Ensler .

All the monologues are the true viewpoints of real women, and although the subject is a bit racy to some people, Ratz said that people on campus haven't objected.

“If there were obstacles (or objections) we've overcome them,” she said, adding that “this play helps me express those things about being a woman in this society in a way I would never have been able to on my own.”

Although the subject of the play, and specifically the word “vagina” might be unsettling to some, Ratz comments that every woman should see the play.

“It affects people in different ways,” she said, “You won't leave the play feeling the same way as you walked in. It's an eye opener for a lot of people.”

There are 20 cast members including

13 reading the original monologues and nine “workshoppers” who for the first time are reading original monologues that answer the question, “what would our world look like if there was no violence against women and girls?”

The cast includes 20 students and two faculty members, including both men and women.

V-Day is sponsored worldwide in various ways, the most popular being the performance of “The Vagina Monologues.”

The organization was created by Ensler.

Ratz hopes that the play will become an annual event at WSU, much like it has at other universities around the country.

“I know that as long there are open-minded humanitarian people out there who want to show their support this will be annual,” she said.

She also mentioned that the play had been originally planned to be performed in the Student Union, but because of its popularity was moved to the Recital Hall.

The play is supported by the Women's Studies program, FORGE and WILL , and all proceeds go to the Women's Resource Center in Winona .

Tickets are available through the women studies department on third floor Minne.

For more details or ticket information please contact Tamara Berg , the Women Studies Program Director, at 457-5460 or by e-mail at tberg@winona.edu.