ABOUT

Making History

Since it’s conception in November of 2003, Janiece Jary has always been inspired by countless small faces and hearts to open the little comedy theatre of JOY. After teaching for 6 years at an "improv factory", she knew her heart belonged to the kids and their parents and refused to teach any longer where those families didn't come first. Weeks later upon her resignation, famed Chicago comedians, Chris and Mark, told her she needed to continue to teach. With their help, Janiece was able to open up a clean, safe, happy theatre, with small classes and small cast shows with more than just improv...adding sketch, stand-up, music, writing, stunts, clowns, all things comedy!



JOY Theatre opened it’s doors at The Raven Playhouse, Sunday, January 4th, 2004 with two classes: Giggle Gaggle for kids, Detention Span for teens. 12 weeks later, the waiting list to get in was so long, two of the same classes opened on Saturdays. An all ages cast formed on Sunday mornings to gap the ages and allow siblings to participate together and became The Sunday Funnies. Filled with kids who loved comedy, working child actors, and kids who just didn’t want to be in ballet or baseball, opportunities continued beyond our fourth wall. Disney joined forces with JOY Theatre to promote both our theatre and their film “The Princess Diaries.” “You’ve Been Sentenced” game-show asked our kids to screen and help with feedback for their production and starred 5 kids. Late Night’s Conan O’Brien played Tag Team Comedy with Detention Span Sundays’ cast. JOY’s casts were hired to perform off-site birthday parties, perform at the International Family Film Festival, travel to Colorado to do a special workshop, and local and Halloween festivals around the city of Los Angeles. Disney again partnered with JOY Theatre with one of their Innovations projects and helped Disney World with their famous Monster’s Inc. “Laugh Floor”. JOY Theatre also helped write scripts and supplied several of our kids to the viral TV sketch show “OMG that’s so funny!”

JOY Theatre expanded to adult classes inspired by 9-time Emmy award winners and JOY Theatre parents, Steve and Julie Bernstein, and famous stuntman and coordinator John Moio, called “The JOYnt”. This also began On-Camera workshops for adults and kids. The Friday Riots class was an after school class of all ages that also was created, and later moved to Saturday mornings.

For years, JOY theatre has brought in industry professionals to help kids learn more about theatre and performing. Famed makeup artist Vivian Baker donated supplies for make-up day. Art Anthony specialized each kid with special effects make up for a day. Lead singer of Oleander, Tom Flowers, directed the kids on how to be a rock star (or make fun of one). Former mega model Robin Nance boosted everyone’s confidence and laughter with modeling day, complete with a photo shoot. Former Barnum and Bailey clown Brian Baldini teaches yearly how to clown around even more. The respected stunt coordinator, John Moio, supplies JOY Theatre with stunt man school for our kids. Our professional stuntmen and stunt women have gone on to star in commercials, tv, and movies and not just doing stunts!

In 2014, The Raven Playhouse was sold and JOY Theatre found their new home in Sherman Oaks at Open Stage West. JOY Theatre began a new adult improv class there called “The Playground”.

Throughout the years, JOY Theatre was nominated for the best comedy club for My Fox LA, winner of “The Best Place to Laugh ’til you Cry” for LA City Voter, as well as runner up for “BEST Improv Comedy Group”. Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Pick Award for Best LA Children’s Theater.

In 2017, JOY Theatre was nominated by young actor and musician Rio Mangini at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. They educate and mobilize leaders in the arts community on issues of public importance, specifically in the areas of First Amendment rights, arts advocacy and public education. With Rio and the Creative Coalition, owner Janiece Jary accepted the award “Teachers Making a Difference” along side Second City’s own Matt Walsh. As JOY Theatre continues to grow and watch all their kids grow, we are proud to see that truly we are making a difference and strive to always do so.