Joy Donley

Headshot of Joy Donley

UP NEXT: Joy is directing ELF the Musical with Bunce Performing Arts, playing Dec 1-15 at Plymouth Playhouse. 

MOST RECENTLY: Joy appeared as Vivian Bearing in "Wit" at Theater in the Round, produced by Hypnic Jerk Theatre, May 18-27, 2023. 

Joy is a freelance director, actor, producer, theatre teacher, publicist and sometimes stage manager. She directed Pinata at the 2022 MN Fringe (for Nocturnal Giraffe Theatre), and pre-pandemic she directed the sold-out Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters at Maplewood Area Historical Society's iconic barn. 

On stage, she appeared as "Becca" in Lakeshore Players' production of Rabbit Hole, the final show at the old church building.

For Open Window Theatre she directed The Lilies of the Field, Shadowlands, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, An O. Henry Christmas, James & the Giant Peach, The Wizard of Oz; stage managed Freud's Last Session, and was publicist and a youth drama teacher. For Bucket Brigade, Joy directed 'Til Death: A Marriage Musical and Amnesiac JackFor Six Points Theatre: stage management for Church and State and Natasha and the Coat

Joy’s own theatre company, Front Porch Theatre, put up many shows for the MN Fringe, including Thirst, Nibblers: A Musical With Sharks and the first-ever Twin Cities production of Seussical. The most recent Front Porch shows took place in her own Maplewood backyard with Orphie and the Book of Heroes (featuring Suzie Juul), The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (featuring Lamar Jefferson) and an original musical called Lemony Snicket: The Musical.

Joy holds an M.A. in Theatre Education from the University of St. Thomas and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Bethel University. She is married to Michael Pearce Donley, co-creator and actor in Triple Espresso--a highly caffeinated comedy. They have two children, one in grad school and one in Heaven.

Director
UNION AFFILIATIONS
Non-union

Joy Donley

UP NEXT: Joy is directing ELF the Musical with Bunce Performing Arts, playing Dec 1-15 at Plymouth Playhouse. 

MOST RECENTLY: Joy appeared as Vivian Bearing in "Wit" at Theater in the Round, produced by Hypnic Jerk Theatre, May 18-27, 2023. 

Joy is a freelance director, actor, producer, theatre teacher, publicist and sometimes stage manager. She directed Pinata at the 2022 MN Fringe (for Nocturnal Giraffe Theatre), and pre-pandemic she directed the sold-out Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters at Maplewood Area Historical Society's iconic barn. 

On stage, she appeared as "Becca" in Lakeshore Players' production of Rabbit Hole, the final show at the old church building.

For Open Window Theatre she directed The Lilies of the Field, Shadowlands, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, An O. Henry Christmas, James & the Giant Peach, The Wizard of Oz; stage managed Freud's Last Session, and was publicist and a youth drama teacher. For Bucket Brigade, Joy directed 'Til Death: A Marriage Musical and Amnesiac JackFor Six Points Theatre: stage management for Church and State and Natasha and the Coat

Joy’s own theatre company, Front Porch Theatre, put up many shows for the MN Fringe, including Thirst, Nibblers: A Musical With Sharks and the first-ever Twin Cities production of Seussical. The most recent Front Porch shows took place in her own Maplewood backyard with Orphie and the Book of Heroes (featuring Suzie Juul), The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (featuring Lamar Jefferson) and an original musical called Lemony Snicket: The Musical.

Joy holds an M.A. in Theatre Education from the University of St. Thomas and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Bethel University. She is married to Michael Pearce Donley, co-creator and actor in Triple Espresso--a highly caffeinated comedy. They have two children, one in grad school and one in Heaven.

Director
UNION AFFILIATIONS
Non-union
Headshot of Joy Donley