Joy Donley

Biography

Joy is a freelance director, producer, theatre teacher, publicist, stage manager and actor. She recently directed PINATA at the 2022 MN Fringe Festival (for Nocturnal Giraffe Theatre), and prior to the pandemic she directed the sold-out SISTERS OF SWING: The Story of the Andrews Sisters for Maplewood Area Historical Society. 

Joy worked for several years as a director, publicist and youth drama teacher for Open Window Theatre where she directed THE LILIES OF THE FIELD, SHADOWLANDS, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, AN O. HENRY CHRISTMAS, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE WIZARD OF OZ; and also stage managed FREUD'S LAST SESSION. For Six Points Theatre, Joy stage managed CHURCH AND STATE and NATASHA AND THE COAT. For Bucket Brigade, Joy directed 'TIL DEATH: A Marriage Musical and AMNESIAC JACK. She co-produced THE LOONEY LUTHERANS and BOB STROMBERG: COMEDY CAFE AT THE BARN at Maplewood's Bruentrup Heritage Farm.

On stage, she appeared as "​​​​​​​Becca" in Lakeshore Players' production of RABBIT HOLE, the final show at their former location.

Joy’s own theatre company, Front Porch Theatre, has 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 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.