Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Shadowbox Live

June 9th, 2022

Member Spotlight by Shadowbox Live

Provide us with a brief summary of your business’ services

An “Ohio original” founded in Columbus Oh in 1988, Shadowbox Live is the nation’s largest full-time resident theatre ensemble, featuring professionally trained metaperformers. The 40-plus member ensemble is a constant state of creation, utilizing music and technical innovations to shift genres and meld performing art forms. Presenting an average of 12 original productions across 250 performances every year, the high energy live performance experience breaks down traditional barriers between the actor and audience as Shadowbox performers fulfill roles during the preshow experience. This aesthetic has helped Shadowbox Live garner significant critical acclaim, deepen its community impact, and develop innovative educational programs and corporate partnerships growing into one of the city’s strongest advocates for its dynamic, multi-faceted growth.

Tell us about your company’s mission and values

Our Mission: “To engage the world around us, enrich the community amongst us, and entertain those in front of us.”

Our Vision: “We envision a world made more courageously humane through the power of art.”

Our Core Values:
We create original art we believe in.
We perform our art courageously.
We honor and promote a mutual respect between our art, its audience, and ourselves.

What are the services you use the most (or are looking forward to using) from the Columbus Chamber?

While we believe that Shadowbox Live can benefit from every service the Chamber offers, we look forward to taking immediate advantage of its efforts in connecting businesses and searching for new talent to add to our workforce. As we continue to evolve, we’re eager to do the following: 1) Elevate our profile within the community regarding our artistic programming, community outreach and educational endeavors 2) Strengthen our ties with fellow businesses 3) Continue to meet the administrative needs of our organization.

How do you stay engaged with trends that you see in your industry?

Through our relationship with Theater Communications Group (TCG) and other midsized regional theaters, we exchange data about attendance, development, and marketing efforts.

What is your company culture like?

Our perpetual production schedule maintains a culture of constant collaboration. In both our administrative work and artistic endeavors, we espouse the notion that many hands and many hearts make the business of theater efficient, effective, and truly magical.

What does it take to be a successful employee at your company?

Any successful member of our company—whether they work onstage or off—must possess the courage to fail, to dare too much, and to remain unapologetically imperfect. Those are the circumstances under which great art is made, and making great art is what we strive to do.

What makes Columbus such a great place to do business?

Our city is full of people who are always excited to try new things and support innovation. As the profile of our city continues to rapidly elevate, its business community has an opportunity to be creative and help mold our national identity. The challenge for our business community is not to be competitive, but to be authentic.

Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/ShadowboxLive
Instagram: instagram.com/shadowboxlive/?hl=en
Website: shadowboxlive.org