Shadowbox Partners with Metro Early College High for 'ROCKS THE BOX' 5/18

As the first part of a new community outreach program, Shadowbox will partner with Metro Early College High School to co-produce a one-night-only sketch comedy and rock ‘n' roll show featuring the students from the STEM-focused school (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

The show, "Metro Rocks the ‘Box," is planned for 7:00 PM, Monday, May 18th at Shadowbox's home base in the Easton Town Center. Weekly rehearsals leading up to the event will take place at Metro High School after regular school hours.

Shadowbox directors / performers will work with the Metro students on specific sketch comedy characters and songs that are included in the one-off show. "Our plan is to work with the kids one-on-one to teach character development, vocal projection, stage craft, audience connection, and physical confidence," said Shadowbox Community Relation Director Stacie Boord. "Rather than taking a classroom approach, these rehearsals will be structured like performance workshops so the kids can participate freely, develop a rapport with the directors and their fellow cast members, and get a sense of what it's like to be a part of an ensemble."

The Metro project is the first of several community-based projects being pursued by Shadowbox, and with Metro's curriculum focusing on math and the sciences Shadowbox is able to help fill the arts niche for the students.

Located on The Ohio State University campus, Metro - themetroschool.org - is a small, public, early college high school that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Metro is an unprecedented partnership of Battelle, The Ohio State University and Franklin County's 16 schools districts through the Educational Council.

"I think we can all agree that the arts play a critical role in our society," said Steve Guyer, Shadowbox Executive Producer and CEO. "Through the arts we learn tolerance and personal expression, creativity and free thought. And yet, arts education is one of the first things to go when school budgets get cut. We (Shadowbox) cannot ‘save' arts education in America, but we can look for opportunities to make an impact on kids who would otherwise not have any experience with performing. That's the over-arching goal of the Metro project."

Shadowbox is videotaping the entire project and plans to air a documentary on Time Warner Cable's On-Demand. Students, teachers, friends and family will be able to see the making of the Metro show as well as parts of the show itself at their convenience on Time Warner Channel 1111.

Tickets to "Metro Rocks the ‘Box" are $25 general admission, $250 VIP table for four and $500 VIP table for eight. All proceeds benefit Metro Early College High School. To make reservations contact the Shadowbox Box Office at 614-416-7625.

Metro Rocks the ‘Box is sponsored by Battelle, Time Warner Cable and Mills James Productions.

 

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