The community is invited to attend the latest performance by Encore! Homeschool Productions, a central Pennsylvania Christian homeschool theater troupe. The group will stage the courtroom drama "12 Angry Jurors" on Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Hershey Area Playhouse, 630 Cherry Drive, Hershey.

The play focuses on 12 jury members who must decide whether a 19-year-old man is guilty of murder. Eleven jurors initially vote that the man is guilty of the crime and then try to convince the one holdout to change his vote.

The director of "12 Angry Jurors" is Jill Panyard, who has been directing Encore! plays for 18 years. She is also the head of the Theatre Academy at the Hershey Area Playhouse, directing and teaching students in grades one through 12.

"It is a play often performed by high school groups because it stands the test of time," stated Panyard. "The issues presented, including prejudice ... are relevant today, and they are displayed in real, emotional ways through the lines of the script. Everyone should take the opportunity to see the show."

"This show is unique compared to other plays in that characters normally come in and go off the stage. For this show, the 12 jurors remain on the set the entire time," added parent volunteer Tammy Bartlett. "There are no scene changes. In this case, you are in character the whole time. It's a different dynamic. It is intense and emotions fly."

Members of the theater troupe represent various school districts in central Pennsylvania. The cast of "12 Angry Jurors" includes Ian Riethmiller of Camp Hill as the judge/guard and Morghan Norcott of Marietta as the foreman. Members of the jury include the following: Josiah Evans of Elizabethtown, Landon Hunsicker of Mechanicsburg, Emily Norcott of Marietta, Lily Patota of Marietta, Giselle Bartlett of Lancaster, Callaghan Petrosky of Lancaster, Emma Riethmiller of Camp Hill, Brock Sunday of Annville, Seth Snyder of Middletown, MaryKate Kenny of Harrisburg and Felicity Younts of Maysville.

Encore! was started in 2001 by Panyard, Debra Bell, Vicki Dincher and a group of moms from the Learning Center homeschool co-op as a way to give homeschool students in central Pennsylvania the same type of theatrical opportunities available that they would have in conventional schools.

Since 2011, Encore! has participated in the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards, which recognize local students for outstanding work in a high school play or musical. The troupe has earned 35 nominations, seven honorable mentions and nine Apollo Awards. In May, the troupe won six Hershey Apollo Awards for its production of "The Little Mermaid," which it performed at The Junction Center, including the award for Best Musical. Several actors also won individual awards for their performances.

Bartlett said that the actors in the group are very passionate about their craft. "We have a very talented pool. (The playhouse is) a great venue for a play, and we have a great group of kids," she added.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.facebook.com/encorehomeschoolproductions or http://www.encorehsp.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. Small concessions will be available during the performances.