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    Shadowbox Live Moving to Brewery District

    Via Press Release:

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    Shadowbox Live is thrilled to announce its plans to move to a downtown facility mid-summer 2011. The non-profit, 501c3 organization has been crafting a deal for the past several years with real estate development company Arshot Investment Corporation to bring the popular entertainment ensemble to the Brewery District. Tuesday morning, Stev Guyer, Shadowbox Live’s Executive Producer and CEO signed a 30-year lease bringing the troupe to the iconic Worly Building located at 503 South Front Street. The new digs will allow Shadowbox Live to increase seating, add office, rehearsal, and storage space and will give the prolific troupe a more efficient overall operation.

    Most notably, Shadowbox Live will expand from it’s current 8,000 square feet to 31,000 and will increase seating capacity to 318, up from the 214 seats at the Easton Town Center space they’ve occupied since June, 1999. Expanded programming is planned, including the addition of a movie night, a late night music series, and an open-format series resembling the style of variety shows performed at the Shadowbox offshoot 2Co’s Cabaret, operated in the Short North from 2000 – 2006.

    In addition to the expanded programming Shadowbox Live plans to operate a restaurant and bar called “The Backstage Bistro.” The bistro will likely open this winter with a limited breakfast and lunch menu that will be expanded into dinner and bar service later in the year. Guyer anticipates an increase in patronage from the 47,000 expected in 2010 to a projected 57,000. Likewise a budget increase from $1.8 million to $2.5 million is anticipated for 2011. This will increase to $3.2 million in its first full year of operations at the new location.

    The move to the Worley Building is estimated to be a $3.25 million project, $1 million of which Shadowbox Live has secured in cash and in-kind contributions. “We’ve been working on bringing this project to fruition for about seven years now,” commented Guyer. “Bill (Schottenstein), the Shadowbox Live Advisory Board, exceptionally supportive patrons and my creative team have worked tirelessly to get us this far but we wouldn’t even be discussing this move if it wasn’t for the foresight of Yaromir Steiner, who more than a decade ago, made it possible for us to move to the Easton Town Center. It was here that we experienced our greatest growth and gained the momentum we have today which will allow us to stand on our own two feet in our downtown home.”

    Shadowbox Live plans to produce just three more sketch comedy and rock n’ roll shows at its Easton Town Center location before taking occupancy in the Worly Building for a mid-summer debut. The title of the inaugural show is yet to be determined but Guyer says it will likely be a retrospective show highlighting the very best the troupe has created in its 22-year history. “Our plans are still quite fluid,” said Guyer “but one thing is for sure. We’re going home.”

    Developer Bill Schottenstein and Shadowbox Live Executive Producer and CEO Stev Guyer make it official

    The Arshot Team and the Shadowbox Live team go “all in” after the lease is signed

    Photo Credit: HW Photograhy

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    Anne Evans
    Anne Evanshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-evans/
    Anne Evans is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for The Metropreneur and Columbus Underground. She regularly contributes feature stories on both sites, as well as Mega Weekend each week. She has started and grown businesses, created experiences, forged community partnerships, and worked to create opportunities for others. She loves meeting new neighbors and those making an impact in our community. Want to connect?
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