By Megan Krause

The Sketch Comedy and Rock ‘n Roll Club that has called Easton Town Center home for 10 years plans to make a move back to the center of the city.

As soon as next June, Shadowbox Cabaret will move to a new venue, which will include 350 seats, four rehearsal spaces and more space in general, which is greatly needed. Currently the troupe juggles a single rehearsal space and store props at an off-site location. The new venue will give Shadowbox more breathing room all around, says General Manager Katy Psenicka.

The site, to be redeveloped from the Brewmasters Gate on South Front Street, will mark a long-awaited return to the downtown area for Shadowbox, which presented shows on Spring Street until 1999, when a fire destroyed the venue.

Beyond giving the employees more space, the new venue will allow for a significant increase in programming. Once in the new venue, Shadowbox will debut a show called Stage Two on Wednesday and Thursday nights as well as a music series and a movie night. .

One challenge for the Shadowbox staff is preparing to take on this change while still in their old venue. Finding an audience for new shows and anticipating the obstacles the move will entail is quite a feat. “Right now we’re doing all we can to prepare,” Psenicka says. “All we can really do it guess.”

The addition of a coffee shop and bar will also be a new business dynamic for Shadowbox.

Despite the changes, moving Shadowbox back downtown will not affect the makeup of its audience. In fact, the centralization of the theater will make Shadowbox more accessible for many, Psenicka says.

However, leaving Easton Town Center will affect the group to some extent. While at Easton, the theater was part of what can be considered the most successful entertainment destination in the area. After moving to the city Shadowbox will be on its own. “The comfort of being a member of that powerhouse (Easton) is something we’ll miss,” Psenicka says.

Once it makes its move, Shadowbox hopes to expand its audience and connect with the community. Members also hope to offer after school programs and even business workshops that may help improve communication through acting.

Overall Shadowbox’s move back to the city is about reconnecting with the heart of Columbus.

 “We want to be to Columbus what Second City is the Chicago and Saturday Night Live is to New York,” Psenicka says. “We want people to think: Columbus - Shadowbox.”

For more information and a full schedule, visit www.shadowboxcabaret.com.