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Joy Ross

@itsalwaysajoy

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Actor, Writer, Director
chronically lost
@semodobbinsconservatory alum
📍STL

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Proof of life by @itsalwaysajoy

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21 days ago

Some more moments from the 2026 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival :,)

Last time at my favorite summer camp, featuring an incredibly hard working team that I’m very proud of, getting to direct a staged reading for the first time (with an awesome playwright and script), and a very intense game of Jeopardy…

My heart always feels so full after Lanford, but especially this year. Thank you to all of the playwrights, directors, faculty, mentors, guest artists, new and old friends who made it so special.

Thank you to Ethan for being my partner in crime for the week and a never ending thank you to Abbie and Evelyn for putting their whole being into making this week happen. by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

From the staged reading of “We’re Okay, We’re Okay, We’re all Gonna be Okay” by Gina Femia

Man, what a privilege it was to work on this story and this character. This script has everything I look for and dream about getting to work on. Not only that but the way Gina writes about and represented mental health in this story was one of the most honest, raw, and beautiful depictions I’ve ever seen.

Also… it felt incredibly full circle to start my time at SEMO with Picnic, which takes place in Independence, KS and then to end it with this beautiful story, which also takes place in Independence, KS. I got to end right where I started.

Thank you to Gina & Seth for being so lovely and insightful to work with. And what a treat to work with old friends again, and new friends for the first time :,)

To thine own self… Be True.
(Still learning what that means to me)

Okay… that’s all, bye :) by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

The Laramie Project…

Only about a month late (in perfect Joy fashion) but working on this story as an assistant director is an experience I’m incredibly grateful for. I think looking back on this show, I learned the most valuable lessons from the challenges we faced along the way. And I’m extremely grateful for how hard the production team and cast worked through those challenges and uplifted each other.

I remember thinking coming into this show what a great duty of care we had to undertake to tell this story, and how important it was for Cape Girardeau to witness it. I’m incredibly inspired and grateful to have watched this cast approach this story and these characters with so much care and breathe new life into it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a collective group work harder.

Thank you immensely to Lisa for having me be a part of this hard working team and for getting to be a small part of something really special that you created.

And thank you to Abby and our ASM team for being our rock in the room. I cannot thank you enough for how hard you worked to make this show possible.

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There is still hope. There is still so much to fight for. Thank you for reminding me of that. by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I graduated last week, but it still hasn’t quite hit me. I don’t have the words to voice what the past four years have meant for me and the curiosity and courage it nurtured in me.

I know 12 year old me would be so proud that I followed my silly unrealistic dreams and got my degree in playing pretend :) by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

one more day….

📸: @mck_photo.graphy taken in Dobbins Conservatory at SEMO by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

An unforgettable trip to New York, and not nearly long enough.
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Thank you to my mentors and family for helping to make it happen!!
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Not a matter of if, but when I’ll be back. Putting that into the universe now. See you soon :,) by @itsalwaysajoy

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5 months ago

Some fresh headshots going into this last semester!! :) by @itsalwaysajoy

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8 months ago

Twelfth Night (Part 2!!)
Last main stage performance at SEMO with my favorite people!! 💃🤺🤸‍♀️ by @itsalwaysajoy

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a year ago

Twelfth Night 🌷
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I feel so unbelievably lucky and grateful for this experience. I adore this story and this character so much and I was not at all ready to put it down. If I could, I would do this show 100 more times, and still not want to say goodbye to it.
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I have never played a character that I have admired quite as much as this which intimidated me to try and portray her with some justice. Viola’s undeniable resilience, strength, wit, empathy, and ability to hold on to love and hope even in the darkest moments continuously inspired and moved me. She inspired and pushed me to take up more space and fight for what I believe in and the people I love, even when things feel terrifyingly uncertain; to challenge others and to challenge myself, even when walls are continuously put in your path.
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I am so proud and thankful for this cast and creative team. For their patience, trust, and dedication. And for my family and friends for supporting and uplifting me through this entire process and reminding me that I AM THE MAN!
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Loves never wasted when it’s shared <3 thank you for sharing this moment of love with me.
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Director: Tim Nicolai
Composer & Music Supervisor: Miko Hare
Scenic Design: Kathy Voecks
Lighting Design: Christopher Haug
Costume & Wig Design: Scott Anderson
Properties Design: Tamden Eichenberger
Sound Design: Huhao Yang
Makeup Design: TaMija Smith
Production Stage Manager: Izzy Paisley
Technical Director: Jeffrey Luetkenhaus
Scene Shop Supervisor: Patric Sullivan
Costume Shop Supervisor: Benjamin Streeter
Assistant Directors: Grace Fisher & Abby Manners
Intimacy Coordinator: Lisa Fischel
Fight Captain: Kait Dexter
Shipwreck Movement: Morgan Hipp
Assistant Stage Managers: Josie Hoskins & Jack Menzies
Assistant Scenic Designer: Alli Gary
Assistant Costume Designer: Holiday Johnson by @itsalwaysajoy

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a year ago

TWELFTH NIGHT OPENS THIS THURSDAY-SUNDAY!!! HUZZAH! We have such a whimsical, joyous, impactful show about love in store for you. Hope to see you there!! (Link to tickets in my bio!) by @itsalwaysajoy

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a year ago

sunny shots from the lovely @preludebymalachi 🫶☀️ by @itsalwaysajoy

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a year ago