If students enjoy comedy, relationship drama and good friends, Penn State's sitcom "304" provides a local alternative.

The premiere of the second season of "304" will be taped in front of a live audience at 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday at the Pavilion Theatre.

"The energy of the room is always so great," production manager Liz Vaida (senior-film and video) said. "The audience brings life to the show."

The show is about the lives and antics of college kids who have different personalities, brought together by the house they share, Vaida said.

It is similar to "Friends" but tuned to Penn State students, co-producer Taylor Carey (senior-film) said.

"304" is a collaboration between Penn State's theatre and film students, under the supervision of Dan Carter, dean of the School of Theatre, and award-winning Canadian filmmaker Naomi McCormack. The sitcom is written, directed, produced and edited entirely by students.

"Dan Carter really got '304' on its feet," Carey said. "Now it's up to us to make it the best it can be.

The film and theater students who are a part of "304" receive grades and independent study credits for participating, Carey said.

"My favorite aspect of the entire experience is how the theater kids and the film kids fuse, which rocks," Vaida said.

The cast has been rehearsing for the season premiere almost every day for three weeks, Vaida said. There has been a new addition to the cast as well, replacing a graduated cast member. The new actor, Satchel Dennis (senior-theatre), is "up for anything," Carey said.

Contrary to a new actor, the second season's set will be the same living room where the characters spent most of their time.

The living room is sprinkled with homey additions to make it look authentic and give it some personality, as if people actually live there, artistic director Josh Hackett said.

"I try to put items in the living room that correspond to each character," Hackett (senior-theatre design and technology) said. "One character is a hippie so I get some stuff she would enjoy, like some plants by the window, and I have some beer cans lying around for the frat boy."

The way of life for the college kids on the show parallels Hackett's favorite aspect of "304" -- freedom.

"We have some advisers, but we can do virtually whatever we want to do," he said. "Everybody is doing what they like to do, which works well, since everyone has a fair amount of experience."

He added that the show progressed and became better with time, because everyone involved enjoys what they are doing, which is the best part of this opportunity.

"I think it is always getting better, and we are always finding new ways to improve," Carey said.

"Every season is different, and I am sure this one will be better than the last."