Five students will participate in a hands-on tour production experience at a Bon Jovi show at Quicken Loans Arena March 9.

The students will learn what is necessary to put on a major touring show during their experience with the “Bon Jovi ‘Because We Can’ Community Service College Campaign,” according to a press release from Quicken Loans Arena and the Bon Jovi tour.

The Center for Student Involvement received a notification from the tour two weeks ago and selected students with a history of community service and involvement, said Donna Carlton, special coordinator with enrollment management and student affairs.

The winners are Eric Courtney, senior visual design major, Aaron Radcliffe, senior justice studies major, Elizabeth Holton, senior advertising major, Justin Lagore, senior public relations major and Jeffrey Hammond, senior physical education major.

This opportunity will give them unique industry experience, Holton said.

“This is really hands-on,” Holton said. “It hits on media, management, ticketing, backstage production and all of it. A lot of people don’t get that chance because they try to keep it very selective with having only the people that are working with that tour backstage, so it’s definitely something I’ve never heard of before. I think it’s really cool.”

Courtney said he is honored to be selected for this experience.

“Kent State University has opened up so many doors for me and my passions and it is an awesome opportunity to be able to represent them this Saturday,” Courtney said. “I’m also a huge music fan, so it will be fun to see what goes into a touring production as large and intricate as Bon Jovi’s.”

Contact Lyndsey Schley at [email protected].