The 2015 U.S. Army Soldier Show performed at Natick High School May 22, as a part of their yearly tour.
The high-energy, live musical production showcases the talents of Soldiers who are selected by audition from throughout the Army. These amateur artists are able to show their artistic passions through music, dance and performing.
The first Army Soldier Show, titled "Yip Yip Yiphank," appeared on Broadway in 1918, and it was later reinvented during World War II.
Sgt. Irving Berlin established the motto, mission and philosophy of the show, "Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier." The modern version of the U.S. Army Soldier Show, created in 1983, was due to the outgrowth of several shows across various Army commands.
This year's cast of 18 performers offered some new talent to incorporate into the show.
"We have two ballet dancers, an opera singer, and we have somebody that raps," said Sgt. Quentin Dorn, a stage manager with the Soldier Show who was also a performer during last year's show.
Once the cast is chosen, the production team begins the process of seeing what material is available, and begins building the show from scratch.
"It's 100 percent based on who we have and what they're able to do," said Dorn.
The team usually begins with a general framework based on any important messages and the needs of the Army.
The tour, which kicked off April 17, takes audiences on an educational journey through different styles of music, such as rhythm and blues, rap, opera, rock and roll, country, Latin and musical theatre. This year's production, "We Serve," explores the beginning elements of what it means to serve, whether someone is in or out of the uniform, and how our country serves those who are serving.
Although the Natick show was abbreviated, the production still touched on important areas, such as casualty notifications, survivor outreach services, sexual harassment prevention, and the Soldier for Life initiative.
"It's too easy to tell a Soldier, 'This is what's right, this is what's wrong,'" said 1st Lt. Derrick Bishop, a performer with the show. "But if you can get their morale up, motivate and entertain them and still send that message at the same time, you'll get people to retain that message, and I think that's the importance of the Soldier Show."
Bishop said he's aware that the Soldier Show is still very much unknown around the Army.
"If any commanders, officers or sergeants major who know what the message is, know that their units will need to hear this message, I would advise to push it out to the lowest level possible," said Bishop.
One of those important messages, sexual harassment prevention, was woven into the show's production.
Within the first month of taking the job, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan Dailey created a new grassroots campaign with the goal of empowering noncommissioned officers with the right tools to combat sexual assault throughout the ranks: "Not in my squad. Not in our Army. We are trusted professionals."
Through this initiative, first-line leaders are tasked with taking care of their Soldiers, on and off duty.
"Our intent is to impact the lives of Soldiers, civilians and families, through our messaging and through the performances," said Dorn.
Bishop said that through it all, being a part of the show is very rewarding.
"Proud is a minuscule word," said Bishop. "It's different when you have hard work and your end state doesn't give you as much as this gives you.
"You're always motivated to work hard."
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