Since graduating high school, Shelbie went off to Fredonia State University. There she achieved a BFA In Theatrical Production and Design with a Minor in Dance. While attending collage she was able to gain skills such as upholstery, sowing, painting and drawing techniques, and a knowledge for design in both
construction build and overall aesthetic for setting the scene. After graduation she went off to her first professional job with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare company as a Properties Artisan which she worked at for three summers. Some of her other summer work included working for Bay street theatre on Long island as a carpenter. In 2015 she started her first year at Geva Theatre Center as a Stage Hand. Over the past 5 years at Geva she had a multitude of positions such as Stage Operations Manager, Assistant Charge artist, and Properties Artisan. Always working different departments sometimes simultaneously is just one of the reasons she loves her job. Along with her time at Geva she works for Local 25 which is the Union house for company’s all over Rochester including the Auditorium Theatre, Eastman Opera Shop, The Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Kodak Theatre, and CMAC just to name a few. With them she can work with productions, Bands, and Artists from all over the country. Being a Freelancer in the arts allows her to work on many different projects. 2020 will be her third year as the Set Designer for Wheatland Chili High Schools Musicals where she gets to teach children things she has learned from this industry.

What has allowed her to grow and thrive in this business all started with the love and support from her parents along with both her sisters, Cori and Danielle, who were her mentors and teachers. Without growing up with her time at SIU, where she was pushed and trained, she never would have had the guts or passion to go into this unique field. She couldn’t be prouder to have been apart of Strike It Up and she can’t thank the SIU family enough for what they did for her.