FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Lights were on, cameras were rolling and the action was intense as the Army Entertainment Detachment rolled into town Friday and Saturday with the 2009 U.S. Army Soldier Show held at the Crown Theater in Fayetteville.
The crew of 31 Soldiers, doubling as singers, dancers and technical assistants gave Fayetteville a show filled with accents of color, song and dance.
"Each year, the show proves to be high energy and fun," said Rhett Stroupe, chief, Entertainment Activities Branch, Fort Bragg Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "It's always enjoyable for the whole Family."
The theme for this year's show was "Lights, Camera, Action," and portrayed a show being filmed before a live studio audience.
The show included performances of popular songs of nearly every genre of music, to include selections from Rihanna, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and many more.
The performers were just as unique as the song choices they presented. The Soldiers represented military installations from across the U.S., including Fort Bragg.
Two performers and one technical assistant are currently stationed at Fort Bragg or from Fayetteville. Spc. Cyril Powell, 101st Chemical Company, and Spc. Susan Noga, 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion, performed in the show for the first time, but performing is not new for either one of them.
Powell placed third in the 2008 Operation Rising Star singing contest, the Army's version of American Idol. Noga, an Army broadcast specialist, has been in the entertainment industry for years as a performer, morning radio show host, karaoke host and disc jockey.
"There's a huge tradition here at Fort Bragg and to be here to pay tribute to this community and its Soldiers gives you a sense of pride," said Noga. "It fills you up."
Spc. Katherine Schaefer, current technical assistant and former performer in the 2008 Army Soldier Show, was born and raised in Fayetteville and is now part of the Army Band with the North Carolina National Guard.
"Bringing the show to Fayetteville and Fort Bragg is great," said Schaefer. "It allows me a chance to see people within my community that surround me every day."
The show attracted more than 3,000 people to the Crown Theater in its two day tribute.
The major sponsors of the event were I A.M. STRONG, the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program and AT&T.
If you are a servicemember and interested in sharing your talents while still serving your country, visit www.armyentertainment.net.
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