The ENCORE Theatre Troupe will perform “The Big Picture – Looking at Life,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the Astoria High School Auditorium. Admission is a $5 to $10 donation for adults and is free to students.

ENCORE Theatre is a troupe of seniors, ages 60-83, who present original shows based on their own lives for young people. They have performed throughout Oregon for more than 40,000 kids, ages 8-20, in schools, community centers, detention centers and conferences. The current production, “The Big Picture – Looking at Life,” is their ninth show.

The troupe spent four months creating and recalling their memories through writing and improvisation exercises, then learning the script and score created for them by the director and songwriter. As in all ENCORE productions, this show is created from the performers’ stories, which are brought to life with songs, dance, and even rap.

“The Big Picture” was created specifically for youth who have faced obstacles in their lives, and the show’s content reflects the performers’ own struggles with tough issues. But there are still many light moments. The rap number looks at some of the different ways of surviving good and bad choices, and a song about being “macho” reveals the three men’s personal challenges growing up.

The show is interactive, and the audience will be invited to participate and answer questions. ENCORE is committed to being honest about themselves and their experiences, and strives for respect and compassion for others.

It is their hope that young people watching will notice similarities and differences with their own lives, and perhaps think about the human experience in a broader way.