Northern Plains Ballet wants to thank returning soldiers and their families by giving them a free show.

The professional ballet company, now in its second season, has 100 free tickets for this weekend's "Sleeping Beauty" performances.

A reception honoring the soldiers will follow the 7:30 p.m. Saturday show and the 2:30 p.m. Sunday show, both at the Belle Mehus City Auditorium.

To get tickets, call the ballet company at 530-0986.

Tchaikovky's "Sleeping Beauty" will feature performances by the company's professional dancers - Roy Gan, Robert Greer, Natalie Kitka and Cheryl Soscia - and students of Northern Plains Ballet Academy.

Natalie Kitka, who will play the role of Aurora, the sleeping princess, is from Amherstburg, Ontario. Her past dance experiences include attending the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Aspirant program, where she had the opportunity to perform many ballets including "Giselle," "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty," as well as to travel all through California, Arizona and many cities in Canada. Kitka also has performed for Queen Elizabeth II at Her Majesty's Royal Gala in Winnipeg.

Gan, dancing the prince role, competed in the 2001 International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan. Gan also has done guest work with the Singapore Dance Theatre and danced professionally with the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Greer, dancing the role of Caraboss, the evil fairy, is a native of California and has danced professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet, Lexington Ballet, Eugene Ballet and Charleston Ballet Theatre.

Soscia, playing the Bluebird, came to Northern Plains Ballet after two years with the Colorado Ballet in Denver. Her repertoire included roles in The "Nutcracker," "Le Corsaire," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Les Sylphides" and other more contemporary works by choreographers such as Septime Weber and Patricia Renzetti.

Meghann Theurer, a junior at Century High School, will dance the role of the Lilac Fairy.

Anthony Noa, the company's artistic director, created the ballet's choreography.

Tickets are $12, $18 and $24 for adults; $6, $9 and $12 for children ages 12 and younger; and $9, $15 and $18 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Herberger's or by calling 530-0986.

(Reach reporter Virginia Grantier at 250-8254 or at vgrantier@ndonline.com.)