Shadowbox Live Celebrates World Premiere with Community Events

With less than a week until opening night of Circle of Blood, Shadowbox Live is in high gear finalizing show components as well as community engagement components that support the collaborators and celebrate this world premiere production.

Circle of Blood, described as a "meta-media fusion of live and digital performances" is one of Shadowbox Live's darkest and most ambition projects to date. Inspired by New York Times best-selling author David Mack's graphic novel "Kabuki: Circle of Blood," Shadowbox Live's Circle of Blood is set to an original rock score composed by the troupes concept band "Light"

Set in Neo-Tokyo in 2057, Circle of Blood tells the story of Kabuki, a deadly assassin employed by a shadow government whose goal is to maintain the balance between good and evil. When this government agency is infiltrated by a dark figure from Kabuki's past she embarks on a fateful journey of honor and vengeance.

large projection screens help to tell the story by illuminating Mack's artwork from the graphic novel as a backdrop to the live action on stage.

this is not the first collaboration between Mack and Shadowbox Live. In 2015, Mack created the marquee artwork and make up design for Shadowbox Live's The Tenshu. After attending a performance, Mack agreed to collaborate with Shadowbox Live to bring his book to the stage.

Mack will once again visit Shadowbox Live, attending opening night, Friday, September 29, and will participate in a talk-back with the audience as well as a VIP reception following the show.

Mack will also give a presentation to CCAD students studying comics and narrative illustration and participate with Cartoon Crossroads as a spotlight panelist. Discounted tickets to see Circle of Blood will be made available to the CCAD students as well as all Cartoon Crossroads Convention attendees. Additionally, Cartoon Crossroads will host a private after party event in Shadowbox Live's Backstage Bistro following the Saturday 10:30 performance.

Community partner Equitas Health also plan to participate by offering Friday's premiere performance to their supporters as part of their "Art for Life: Out On The Town" event. Attendees will enjoy appetizers and a "good luck opening night sake cocktail toast" with Mack before heading in to see the show.

And, community partner Columbus Underground has come on board as an engine of promotion for the show.

Additional, community engagement events include a lecture series sponsored by JASCO (Japanese American Society of Central Ohio) from 5:30 - 6:15 on October 18 and October 25 in Shadowbox Live's Backstage Bistro. Topics of discussion are Japanese Pop Culture and its influence on the language in Circle of Blood and continuation of the exploration of Japanese Pop Culture, this time exploring Japanese art and its influence in the "Kabuki" source material, respectively. And, on October 22 Shadowbox Live will host a special membership appreciation event for JASCO with sake tastings.

"There is a terrific buzz in the community right now about this show," said Shadowbox Live's Executive Director Stacie Boord. "The events we have planned are really exciting and we are thrilled that this project is being so generously supported."

addition to the many Circle of Blood community partners, the show was awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a $13,500 grant from Ohio Arts Council.

Further, Artistic Director for Shadowbox Live, Stev Guyer, was awarded a $30,000 Columbus Performing Arts Prize. The award is designated to celebrate and support the exceptional individuals leading performing arts organizations or projects, and their aspirations for creative growth, and is earmarked for Circle of Blood.

"The size and scale of this show simply couldn't have happened without assistance that project grant," continued Boord. "We are so grateful to have such amazing support from the NEA to help us get to opening night and from our community partners to provide the momentum this show needs for it's 6 week run."

Circle of Blood opens Friday, September 29 at 7:30pm and runs Saturday, September 30 at 7:30 and 10:30 and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:00. Thereafter, the show will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30, and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 until November 5. Tickets range from $25 - $40 and student/senior/military pricing is available. For more information and reservations visit www.shadowboxlive.org.

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