Working under the slogan, “Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier,” the Army Soldier Show taps into a unique style of performance intended for a unique audience. Living  life as a soldier or part of a military family is challenging, and maintaining morale is a must. The Soldier Show is not only intended to create a fun and positive experience for the soldiers, their families and the community, it is also a way to showcase some of the best things that the Army has to offer: incredibly talented and dedicated people working together to achieve a positive but challenging goal. Don’t miss the Army Soldier Show as it rolls into town on July 11 and 12.

This yea’rs production, “We Serve” explores the foundational element of what it means to serve, in and out of uniform, as well as how our country in return serves them. It is this “Soldier for Life” aspect that instills the strength of character of soldiers and the Army, which are exemplified in its core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. 

The 2015 U.S. Army Soldier Show honors the Army’s conintued service, resilience and strength. It celebrate the nation, Army families and communities that serve and support service members.

While Broadway and the Army may seem like a strange combination at first, but at the hands of talented performers and organizers it is incredibly engaging and entertaining. These talented performers just happen to be soldiers themselves. The Soldier Show is just one of the many ways that the Army showcases its varied and incredible members. Soldiers stationed all over the nation who love to perform are invited to audition. The process is incredibly strenuous and many soldiers audition, but only the best are invited to join the show. 

Despite the competitive nature of the auditions, the real work doesn’t start until the after roles have been cast. The entire process of creating a fantastic show is challenging; there is no easy part. Performers spend months refining and perfecting their performances in rehearsals. Then after months of preparation, they travel the nation between May and September to perform. That much travel is a challenge for anyone. It is particularly difficult when there is an expectation to maintain a certain level of performance, but The Soldier Show participants have proven their excellence year after year. 

A successful show requires a tremendous amount of work both on stage and behind the scenes. That can pose a particular challenge for traveling shows like this one. Constantly changing venues makes it difficult to prepare for shows technically. The Soldier Show helps to combat this common problem by being self-contained. The technicians are also soldiers and they train and travel with the show just like the performers. They also undergo a selection process as strict and strenuous as the performers, but having your own crew is a necessity for a traveling show. Having people that are so familiar with the show travel with it makes it easier to change things for any specific venue they are performing in. Every member of the crew needs to know the show inside and out, in order to be comfortable and competent in new circumstances.

The Soldier Show performs in Fayetteville on July 11 at 7 p.m. and July 12 at 2 p.m. at the Crown Theatre. The Crown Theatre is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. There are no tickets. The 90-minute high-energy song and dance show is free and seating is first come first serve. Doors open one hour before the show time and it is open to the public. 

For more information visit http://www.armymwr.com/soldier-show.aspx