MSU actors are searching for more students to be "in your face" about health and sex.

Olin Health Center's In Your Face Reality Troupe will hold interviews for a director starting this month.

The troupe is in its 10th season and was first directed by Olin health educator Dennis Martell.

"They do it because they like to act," he said. "And they act to make a difference."

The troupe consists of nine student actors, directors and producers who perform every Tuesday in a different residence hall, at health conferences and at campus events.

The director helps with script writing and assigns the roles of the skits.

Troupe member Leslie Deatrick said the main goal of the group is to educate, start discussion about sexual health and entertain.

"We believe that if people are empowered with information they can make the best choices for themselves and their health," the communication graduate student said.

The troupe members volunteer their time and some receive academic credit through the theater department.

Many of the skits get straight to the real issues, Martell said.

"They really are in your face," he said. "They try to have a roller coaster effect on the audience."

The group discusses pregnancy, disease prevention and highlights racier topics such as pleasure and masturbation, Martell said.

"We like to call it edu-tainment," he said.

The current program includes STD jeopardy, "Sex Treks" and skits covering dating violence, homophobia and condoms, said telecommunication senior Joe Turner.

"We try to cover every aspect of health," said Turner, the current director. "We base the skits off of things that people can relate to or what is popular right now."

Turner said he enjoys seeing the audience walk away with new information because of the troupe's performance, a necessity based on recent statistics.

According to Olin Health Center, one-fifth of all AIDS cases have been in people aged 20 to 29. Sixty percent of male and female freshmen are reporting to be sexually active.

The troupe will hold a Script and Message Development Workshop this summer to rewrite all of the scripts.

The seminar is open to anyone who wants to attend.

Recruitment for actors starts in the fall and those interested in applying to be a director should call Olin Health Center at (517)353-0718.