THEATER : OCC Students Are in the Early Stage of Their Careers

The rambunctious Orange Coast College Repertory Company will present its annual festival of student-written and produced plays beginning Friday night.

The program will run for two consecutive weekends. On Friday and July 18, “Cheaters” and “The Brady Bunch--The Lost Episodes,” written by Michael Hebler and Gia Princeton, will be offered. Shari Jackson’s “Theater Zone” will be featured Saturday and Sunday. Kelly Lynn’s “Stasi” will be staged July 17 and 19.

While not always the most sophisticated, the festival is known for its chance-taking. The 8-year-old repertory was created to give students the freedom to make mistakes, all with the goal of learning firsthand the demands of real theater, said Rick Golson, an OCC drama instructor who helps organize the festival.

Besides the festival, the repertory has been known to tackle seldom-produced plays, at least in Orange County. In recent years, the repertory has staged, among others, Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.” Alex Golson, an OCC theater arts instructor (and Rick’s brother) who oversees the company, said about 120 students take part in the program each year.

What: The Orange Coast College Repertory Company student play festival.

When: Friday through Sunday, July 10 through 12 (and July 17 to 19), at 8 p.m.

Where: OCC’s Drama Lab Studio, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) to Fairview and head south.

Wherewithal: Free, but donations will be accepted.

Where to Call: (714) 432-5640.