Photo by Tim Hipps Cpl. Amber Jones, a parachute rigger stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., brings ballet to rehearsals for the 2008 U.S. Army Soldier Show at Fort Belvoir, Va..

The cast and crew of the 2008 U.S. Army Soldier Show will emphasize their working motto of ''entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier'' in a simulated deployed setting to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary.

''The impression we want the audience to get is that they’ve been transported to the Middle East, to a combat area,'' Soldier Show director Tim Higdon said.

The stage floor will be tan to simulate sand and the façade will be covered with desert camouflage nets and faux sandbags to simulate a field environment in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Army Combat Uniform seatback covers will extend the setting throughout the entire auditorium, along with other military and desert effects.

''The goal is to give the sense that we are watching the Soldiers return from a mission, who then take the time to put on a show for the audience,'' Higdon said.

In the end, troops will be donning their battle gear as they exit the stage ''to drive home that they start the show as Soldiers and they leave the show the same way, as Soldiers - to do what their mission in life is,'' said Higdon, a 1988 Soldier Show performer who this year replaced Victor Hurtado in the director’s chair.

''Since we’re not taking the show to Baghdad, we’re bringing Baghdad to the show.''

Nearly half of the cast and crew already have deployed during the War on Terror, so they know the drill. Just getting an opportunity to entertain Soldiers and military Families during the seven-month tour will fulfill a lifelong dream for most of them.