The Jem Project was founded in 2002 by a group of friends who had two common interests: costuming and Jem. Their first cabaret-style performance was for "The Red & White Show" for Anime North 2002 and later that year, they expanded to include The Misfits. They entered the masquerade competition at Toronto Trek 2002, with "Glitter 'n' Gold" and "Takin' It All". The Jem Project won four awards that year; "Best Battle of the Bands" for both performances, "Best Prop Work" for the instruments that were created, and "Best Interpretation" of the dresses worn.

In 2003, The Jem Project planned their biggest show yet; "The Truly Outrageous Tour!" This time, all the bands were represented on stage, blending the songs together to have the bands flow onto the stage and also play out the story of Jem through a concert format. They performed for the first time that year with live singing mixed with lip sync.

The Jem Project went on a few years of hiatus as the founder, Sandra Cosimano Smiley, worked to find a new venue and new actors to fill characters. The production moved from Buffalo, NY (Sandra was American, the rest of the cast was Canadian) to Baltimore, MD. With Sandra's husband also into costuming, they worked together to bring The Jem Project back on stage while Sandra made appearances at different conventions in new costumes to advertise the group.

In 2009, The Jem Project came back to the stage at Dragon*Con with their most elaborate costumes yet. "Welcome to the Mardi Gras!" was a hit with all the Jem fans. Sandra was also interviewed for CNN Radio during the convention, with questions about costuming and The Jem Project.

Sandra, had always wanted to play Jem on stage since she fell in love with the show back in 1985. With her love of costuming and with the support of her husband (who now plays Riot) and her friends (the new Holograms), these dreams have come true again. They are all looking forward to attending their first JemCon, and hope everyone enjoys their show!

Find out more about The Jem Project and follow them on Facebook, MySpace and LiveJournal.

Lindsey began dancing as a small child over 20 years ago with ballet being her main area of interest and passionate expertise. She is currently a graduate student at Boston's Emerson College where she is earning her masters degree in Theater Education. In addition, Lindsey works in various schools and theaters both directing and choreographing, and even in her spare time Lindsey's enthusiam for the creative arts carries over where she continues to act, sing and dance as much as possible!

Her interest in Jem began by chance, when her friend Sean, (aka svgbaritone) gave her a Danse doll for her birthday. Since then, her collection has grown and her fascination in Jem has peaked.

Lindsey has spent much time admiring the elaborate animation that brought Danse's dance to life and says that if she could be a Jem character, it would indeed be Danse, complete with rainbow hair!

Lindsey is honored to be at JemCon 2010 to share with us, the inspirational magic that is Danse!