2026 – the new year
2026 is already filled to the brim. Please come to a show, real live art is so much more powerful and beautiful than staying trapped online – I’d love to see you and say hi 🙂
↓ where to see Joni perform ↓
SUMMER
The wild adventures of a traveling poet and the dark spirits who pursue him. The soaring voices and melodies of French Grand Opera, but laced with 90s Grunge music. Oh and Smash Mouth. Intrigued?
This will be my TENTH show with Mixed Precipitation! That alone is worth coming out for! Follow the wild adventures of traveling poet, Hoffmann, as he seeks love and creative inspiration in a world overrun by technology. He meets ghosts, robots, magicians, and shape-shifting demons in this lively fantasy. With a mix of 1990s grunge and R&B, the Pickup Truck Opera is a one-of-a-kind mix of classical opera and pop tunes you’ll love. Full for all ages. Performing August – September all across Minnesota.
Mixed Precipitation shows are unlike any other. Please come and see why this project has been running strong for 18 years! The magic and drama of being in stunning outdoor spaces combined with big story, big music, and big delight!
AUTUMN
As You Like It by William Shakespeare with Ten Thousand Things
Directed by Caitlin Lowans
Music by Joni Griffith
Featuring Katie Bradley, Dustin Bronson, Isa Condo-Olvera, Darius Dotch, Nubia Monks, and Greg Watanabe
To escape death, our heroine, her best friend, and one of Shakespeare’s funniest fools flee to the forest. Released from the court’s conventions, they discover earnest shepherds and ironic aristocrats – along with joy and forgiveness. Soon, closed hearts open, love transforms, and community takes root.
SEPTEMBER 30 – NOVEMBER 8, 2026, tickets and info coming soon 🙂
PAST EVENTS
2026
WAKING MISS DAISY
March 2026
Alfred Uhry’s play “Driving Miss Daisy” is reimagined from the chauffeur Hoke’s point of view. With the insightful vision of James Craven and the signature physical direction of Kym Longhi, this immersive multi-media staging brings to life the world of Atlanta, Georgia in the mid 20th century. Featuring sound design and original music by Joni Griffith.
HEARTS UNCORKED
February 2026
Powerhouse musical trio Debi Kildie, Amanda Weis, and Joni Griffith bring romance to life at the Chateaux St Croix winery with a musical evening celebrating love in all its moods.
GHOSTS IN GREASEPAINT
January 2026
Returning for the third year to Celtic Junction Arts Center, this show has an international history with local roots. Under the helm of Julia Carey and Roderick Kettlewell.
2025
SCENES FROM A GARDEN
September 2025
Co-created and produced with Felix Aguilar Tomlinson. Re-imagining what a musical review could be! Our favorite pieces but re-told, re-staged, and woven into each other to create new stories and scenes. All from a garden.
THE RETURN OF KING IDOMENEO
July – September 2025
Performing the role of Prince Idamante
ALICE TIERNEY
June 2025
Singing the role of Lyra with Opera Reading Project
RUNNING ERRANDS
January 28th – 8PM
Running Errands is a short play series and a cheap ticket to see the most exciting, innovative local theater.
LOVE SONG & LIBATIONS
February 14th 2025
2024
Returning December 2024
A Tribute to the Victorian Music Hall @ Celtic Junction Arts Center
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with COMBUSTIBLE COMPANY – June
Puck & Musical Composition
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK with AOT April 18 – 21
Swing for Mrs. Mister, Ella, Dauber, Steve, Cop
GIANNI SCHICCHI with ORP – FEB
Gherardino and cover for Nella
A new site-specific dance film created by Sydney Swanson with music by Joni Griffith
WHAT ARE MY HOPES FOR THE NEW YEAR AND BEYOND?
- Intentionally cultivate relationships with companies I’ve yet to work with, while still doing work with ones that I LOVE and ADORE (excited that this is already happening).
- Stop waiting for people to find me, and stop being afraid to ask them to hire me.
- Record more of my own music!
- Perform at some venues I consider scary.
- Be less afraid about vocalizing and verbalizing dreams I think are “too unrealistic”.
THE MUSIC LAB: INSPIRATIONS AND VARIATIONS
Available to watch NOW!
I am beyond excited to share this free online two-part video series written and conceived by myself, Hannah Howland, and Austin Jacobs in partnership with the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony. Join us as we embark on a wild musical-magnetic adventure featuring none other than Mozart! Designed for elementary age children, this series explores how music is a continual and evolving conversation – a conversations with other musicians, artist, the birds outside your house, and the grocery next door!
You can find more information on the symphony’s website here.
The Music Lab is wcfsymphony’s new concert series for young audiences. Building on the three-decade history of our free Lollipops performances, The Music Lab makes musical creativity, experimentation and interactivity accessible to little concertgoers. The series launches digitally in 2021 and is available free and on-demand to educators, home schoolers, and families.
Stay in touch, I can’t wait to connect with you in 2026 and beyond!
Love, Joni
