Shadowbox Live and STEM Students Prep for STEM ROCKS THE 'BOX, 5/6

Shadowbox Live and STEM high school students are making final preparations for Monday evening's performance of STEM Rocks the 'Box, at The Shadowbox Live building, 503 S. Front Street at 7 PM.

After only two weeks of rehearsal time, 35 students from local STEM schools Metro High School, Columbus Africentric, Linden McKinley and West High School will hit the stage with the metaperformers of Shadowbox Live in a special, one night only show.

"The idea is to blend the students in with professional performers as seamlessly as possible," says Shadowbox Live Community Relations Director Stacie Boord. "Every element of Monday's performance will include at least one, if not more, STEM students in a variety of disciplines."

Students will be featured in acting, singing, and dancing roles, as well as performing instrumental music as part of the band. Additionally, six students are participating in "behind the scenes" roles by being a part of the backstage or technical crew, or by assisting with costume design.

"There is so much to be learned from an experience like this," says Boord. "These kids learn what it means to rely on themselves. They learn what it means to truly give it their best. And they learn how good that can feel. The goal is to help them want and achieve that feeling in every part of their lives."

Participating students include:

Jeremy Boyd - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Jeremy is a second year participant of the program, and can be seen in this year's production as Tom in the sketch Damsels and Dates and as a Supporting Vocalist in Oye Como Va by Santana. He has plans to attend Depauw University as a Media Fellow.

TeeJonna Britt - 16 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. A first year participant, TeeJonna will be part of the dance team performing to Beyonce's Love on Top. She also enjoys singing and drawing, and hopes to someday attend college in Atlanta, GA.

Caleb Caldwell - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Caleb, a returning participant, will be performing the role of Smitty in the sketchConstruction Guise and providing supporting vocals in Oye Como Va by Santana. A member of the National Honors Society and an Horatio Alger National Scholar, Caleb looks to attend Ohio State University as an Engineering major.

Cassaundra Davis - 16 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. This is Cassaundra's second year as a cast member, and she will be dancing to Love on Top by Beyonce. At school, Cassaundra is involved in GSA and ROX, while outside of school she takes Mime and Hip Hop Classes. Someday she'd like to attend OSU and major in Psychology.

Dreama Dowden - 16 yrs old, Junior at West High School. Dreama is joining the program for the first time, and will be playing the role of Girl in the sketch Playing House. She also recently performed in her high school's production of Bad Seed. Dreama is also interested in basketball, dance, and photography, and is considering majors in Acting and Cosmetology.

Rachel Eldridge-Allegra - 17 yrs old, Junior at Metro High School. This will be Rachel's third year in the STEM Rocks the 'Box program. She can be seen as Mandy in the sketch Slumber Party. Rachel recently won first place in the Ohio Shorts 2013 Youth Division film contest, and would like to attend Oberlin College to major in Cinema Studies or Film Production.

Kat Fridenmaker - 16 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. Kat is returning for her second year as a member of the STEM Rocks the 'Box dance corp. This year, she will be dancing in Love on Top by Beyonce. In her spare time Kat also takes clogging lessons with Yellow Rose Cloggers and volunteers at Shadowbox Live.

Zane Geiger - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Zane will be joining the Tech team behind the scenes at his first STEM Rocks the 'Box. He is a National Merit Finalist and a member of the National Honor Society. While programming is currently one of his hobbies, Zane plans on majoring in Computer Science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Ayshea Grant - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. A returning member of the program, this year Ayshea joins the behind the scenes team working in costumes. Outside of school, she currently interns at The College of Dentistry and Role Model Magazine. Ayshea plans on majoring in Fashion and Visual Merchandising, and is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Jordan Griffith - 16 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. This is Jordan's second year performing at Shadowbox Live, and Monday will be playing guitar on the song Aeroplane by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. He currently is involved in The GSA, Cyberpatriots, and the Whetstone Teen Advisory Board, and is considering a major in Computer Science.

Jonelle Harrison - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Jonelle is joining STEM Rocks the 'Box for her first year. Monday night, she will be helping behind the scenes as a member of the backstage crew. Jonelle is a national Honor Society member and also enjoys dancing and playing volleyball. This fall, she will be attending University of Cincinnati to major in Nursing.

Annalisa Hartlaub - 15 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. Annalisa is returning for her second year in the program. She will be performing the role of Diva 1 in the sketch Divas Do Hard Rock. Outside of school, her interests include puppetry, photography and drawing. Currently, Annalisa is also playing the role of Martha in Shadowbox Live's original musical Underland. Her hope is one day major in Medicine at either OSU or the University of Glasgow.

Kelly Haubert - 14 yrs old, Freshman at Metro High School. This is Kelly's first performance in the program, and she can be seen playing piano during Mysterious Ways by U2. She hopes to attend OSU, and also enjoys swimming as a hobby.

Kelly Hooper - 17 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Kelly is a returning member of STEM Rocks the 'Box, and will be singing lead on the song I Wish by Stevie Wonder. In addition to singing, Kelly is part of the Democratic Society of Metro, and wants to major in Forensics Psychology, possibly at Eastern Michigan University.

Henry Kangas - 17 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Henry is a true veteran of STEM Rocks the 'Box, returning for his fourth year in the program! Henry will be performing two major roles on Monday, Timmy in the sketch Boy Who Cried Werewolf, and the lead vocalist inCross Eyed Mary by Jethro Tull.

Outside of school, Henry is a camp counselor and also takes viola and piano lessons. This fall, he will be attending Earlham College, majoring in International Studies.

Sam Loeffler - 15 yrs old, Freshman at Metro High School. For Sam's first year in the program, she'll be joining the Tech team behind the scenes. He currently runs track and is an active volunteer in his church and local theater. Someday, Sam looks to major in Physical Therapy.

Ellison Luthy - 16 yrs old, Junior at Metro High School. Another returning member, Ellison can be seen in the dance corp performing Love on Top by Beyonce and singing lead vocals on Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. Outside of school Ellison is involved in dance one day hopes to major in voice.

Moriah Miller-Gnann - 15 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. A second year participant, Moriah will be providing supporting vocals on Aeroplane by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. She's currently involved in choir and singing lessons in hopes of one day majoring in Music.

Trevon Mobley - 18 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Trevon is a returning member of STEM Rocks the 'Box and will be performing the role of Franklin in the sketch Office Zone and as a supporting vocalist in Fighter by Christina Aguilera. He is a member of Student Government and a youth leader at his local church. Trevon is attending OrAl Roberts University this fall studying Psychology and Pastoral Care.

Siri Petersen - 15 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. Siri is back for her second performance in STEM Rocks the 'Box, and will be performing as Trishia in the sketch Face to Facebook, as well as a supporting vocalist in China Grove by The Doobie Brothers. She also plays piano, enjoys horseback riding, and looks to one day major in Psychology and Illustration.

Jocelyn Reedus - 17 yrs old, Senior at Metro High School. Jocelyn, a returning participant, will be dancing to Beyonce's Love on TopMonday evening. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is currently a dance instructor at Moler Elementary School. Jocelyn is considering several colleges for the fall, and will be majoring in Education and Psychology.

Ivanna Soto - 16 yrs old, Junior at Metro High School. Another returning member, Ivanna can be seen in the dance corp performing Love on Top by Beyonce. In her free time she volunteers at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and has set her sights on attending Ohio State University to major in Biology.

Jose Soto - 15 yrs old, Sophomore at Metro High School. Jose is joining STEM Rocks the 'Box for the first time, following in his sister, Ivanna's footsteps. On Monday, Jose will be playing the piano in the song Oye Como Va by Santana. In addition to volunteering at Nationwide Children's Hospital, he is also training for a 100 mile bike tour. Jose would like to someday major in Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering.

Sally Squires - 15 yrs old, Freshman at Metro High School. This is Sally's first year in the program, and she will be performing as the lead vocalist for Mysterious Ways by U2. Sally has a wide scope of interests and hobbies including dance, piano, sewing, and raising and showing purebred sheep. Sally is considering a variety of majors from Musical Theater to Agriculture to Engineering.

Shalil Tillman - 18 yrs old, Senior at West High School. Shalil is performing in the STEM Rocks the 'Box for the first time, and he'll be performing in two disciplines. He'll be acting in the role of Jameson in the sketch UPD, and singing supporting vocals in the song Oye Como Va by Santana. Shalil will be attending OSU Newark in the fall.

Tatyana Trent - 17 yrs old, Senior at Linden McKinley. A returning performer, Tatyanna is joining the dance team performing Love on Top by Beyonce. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and has earned a number of awards including the MLK Scholar Award, Linden Scholar, and Greater Linden Award. In the fall, Tatyana hopes to attend Wittenberg University to major in Dance.

Kayla White - 15 yrs old, Sophomore at Columbus Africentric. Kayla is joining the STEM Rocks the 'Box cast for her first year. Monday night, she'll be providing supporting vocals for the song Fighter by Christina Aguilera. Someday Kayla would like to attend Florida State or Michigan State University to study Music and Performing Arts.

Kamena Willoughby - 17 yrs old, Junior at Metro High School. Kamena is a returning member of the STEM Rocks the 'Box dance corp, performing this year to Beyonce's Love on Top. In addition to singing and dancing, she's also active in sports including her school's tennis team. Kamena is considering majors in Zoology, Dancing and Communications at Ohio State University or Ohio University.

Participating students not represented above:

Ava Ciminello Delamorte, Rayanna Echois, Scott Fasone, Brian Gonazalez, Aaron Joseph, Breanna Thompson

Shadowbox Live Academy presents STEM Rocks the 'Box on Monday, May 6th at 7 PM. VIP tables are available for parties of 6-8 for $225, or for parties up to 4 for $125. General Admission Tickets are $25 / $20 for students and seniors. For more information and reservations, call the Shadowbox Live Box Office at 614-416-7625 or go online at www.shadowboxlive.org.

Shadowbox Live is the largest resident theater company in America, producing over 400 shows per year. A non-profit 501c3 performance troupe, Shadowbox Live employs 60+ full time ensemble members immersed in the Shadowbox Livephilosophy of "everyone does everything," including arts administration. These Shadowbox Live metaperformers self-produce a wide range of shows, as well as run the company on a day-to-day basis.

For over 20 years this creative team has produced world-class performances, spanning the artistic spectrum with sketch comedy, rock 'n 'roll, original rock operas, traditional musicals, drama, dance theater and new media; always putting emphasis on the unparalleled liveexperience. Shadowbox Live is a healthy, vibrant, self-sustaining arts organization that generates the majority of its funding from its patron base, and leads the way as an artistic tour de force in Midwest.

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